Throughout my art career, there have been special artists who encouraged, inspired, and aided the cultivation of the artistry in me. An artist that comes quickly to my mind is Bob Naujoks. He and his wife Sharon are devoted Christians whom I consider brother and sister-in-Christ. I personally call Bob the “Line Meister” because he is definitely the master of the line. He has that unique gift to relate a complete message or emotion in just a few marks of the pen.
In the following weeks, I have the honor of presenting a few of
Bob Naujok’s artwork in “Art Inspires Art.”
There will be two categories exhibited: spiritual and jazz.
- Scriptures Part 1 includes this introduction and five parables.
- Scriptures Part 2 will include five more parables.
- Jazz Part 1 will include an introduction and five jazz pieces.
- Jazz Part 2 will include five more jazz pieces.
Bob Naujoks is also a calligrapher and confirms his calligraphic mastery in watercolors on many of his works. He has told me that some of these artworks are his latest works. I could say more about Bob Naujoks, in fact, tons more, but you will get a better view of the total “picture” when you view his artwork. This artist is, indeed, a fount of talent.
Featured Artist: Bob Naujoks
Communion Hand
1992
Pen & ink
Blind Man Sees (John 9:1-41)
2011
Pen & ink, watercolor, colored pencils
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Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
2009
Pen & ink, watercolor, colored pencils
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John 1:1-17
2011
Pen & ink, watercolor, colored pencils
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Joseph & Mary
2009
Pen & ink, watercolor, colored pencils
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Be sure to view “Scriptures Part II”, artwork by Bob Naujoks,
scheduled for viewing in “Art Inspires Art” next Friday.
The lines, colors, and calligraphy
blended together with scriptures
create an artistic poetry that you will not want to miss.
Robert Naujoks
Marion, Iowa
Bob Naujoks is now a professor emeritus of art at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after 30 years of college teaching. He still teaches drawing and design fundamentals as an adjunct at Kirkwood Community College. Bob came to college teaching following a career in broadcasting which included being a television art director at Channel 2 in Cedar Rapids for a dozen years. His field is graphic design and computer arts, but he also taught design, drawing, sculpture, photography, watercolor, and calligraphy.
As an artist, Bob calls himself a “generalist” because he does artwork in a wide variety of media. In recent years, he has worked in several areas: pen and ink line, calligraphy, watercolor, stained glass panels, along with graphic design work. Common subjects are based on his love for jazz music and his Christian faith. In the mid-1990’s, while on sabbatical, he spent time exploring and creating sculpture in media which included polyethylene plastic, welded steel, wood, and ceramic.
Bob’s work has appeared in many regional exhibitions, both solo and group. He has illustrated several books, had drawings published in national magazines, and created program art for the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre and other stage productions. Three large stained glass panels are on permanent display at Wartburg College, Waverly, and another at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. One of his passions is jazz music and he produces a live weekly program on KCCK88.3 and the daily Short List programs on jazz artists.
Next Friday… “Scriptures Part II”
Posted on March 19, 2011.
