His skateboard starts the painting process, as shown in Alum Andy Krzystek's show at the Burchfield Penney

Q: What professional activities have you been doing since graduating in 2014? 

A: After Graduating UB I jumped into the Void as I like to laugh about, working a handful of interesting jobs such as Outdoor Education in California,Graphic Design, and even a stint as 3d Graphic modeler at an orthodontic lab before landing my current role as a resident artist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and an Adjunct professor at Villa Maria College.

The role at Roswell is distinctly not an art therapy role but can occupy of the same shape as one. We provide a creative output for the patients and caregivers going through their cancer journey, providing tricks and tips or other kinds of instruction or just spending time with them as we work on separate art projects together. Often times patients feel like they lose a sense of control over their lives while battling cancer with all of the doctor appointments and treatment they are on, and our program attempts to give them back a sense of agency. So often I meet a new patient who loved making art in the past but felt as though they had to give it up in a “real world” trade off and at the end of our time together they reignite their creative drive. I always love when they come back for a check up and show me all the new work they have done.

Q: What attracted you to UB? 

A: Without question, the thing that drew me to UB was the Printmaking Program. I was the only printmaking major at the College I was previously attending, and all signs seemed to direct me to the basement of the CFA. 

Q: What is one of your fondest memories from your time studying Art at UB? 

A: The energetic community that was happening in the print labs brought so much laughter and growth to everyone who was in it at that time. Jeff Sherven Day every year was always a great day.

Q: Do you have any advice for young and emerging artists? 

A: 1. Don't wait for a gallery to ask you to show your work! Find an attic / basement / Alt space to create a DIY Venue and put on your own group show. 2. Make a mistake and fix it

Get out and go see as many art openings as you can, that is road map , that is where the real magic is.

See andykrzystek.com, follow @free_catalog on Instagram, and see the Burchfield Penney's profile on Andy Krzystek.