I, Edward W. Korolak, was born on 12/9/1947 in Hohenfells, Germany shortly after WWII to a polish father, Waclaw Korolak, and a Ukrainian mother, Emilia Janowa. Our family immigrated to Seattle, Washington in 1951 by ship to New York, then a 3-day train ride to Seattle.
My father was sponsored as an orthopedic shoemaker, then a cabinet maker. Being the middle son, I was appointed to hang cabinets for clients. I grew up in a place referred to as Garlic Gulch due to many Italian immigrants residing there. Besides the polish and Italian immigrants, there were many other diverse families. I grew up in a very integrated and diverse environment.
As a youngster, I enjoyed drawing especially horses and mountain men. Throughout my school years, while taking notes, many abstract doodles were created along the border. Carving objects, especially wooden, with a small old timer pocket knife was a passion of mine. Going mushroom picking in the forest during the fall with my family was truly exhilarating. I also enjoyed many polish picnics at a nice lake during the summer. After swimming, boating and playing, I often ventured off by myself to catch frogs, tadpoles, crawdads and water beetle’s. I definitely enjoyed being surrounded by nature - not by walls and concrete structures.
I attended CWU college located in Ellensburg, Washington while majoring in biology due to my love of nature and animals, I also enjoyed taking a variety of art classes, especially photography and sculpture resulting in earning a minor in art.
During the year 1973, I was employed as a portrait baby photographer and traveled through almost every state in the US by automobile. This was a great experience to explore our country. Communicating with individuals of all ages, religions and nationalities was a highlight. I was then employed by the Boeing Corporation by 3 ½ years working in the photo media department located in the Renton, Washington plant; mostly in the screen printing and photo printing departments.
Meeting and then living with my ex-sweetheart, and muse, Anna was a cherished time in my life. Even though she was majoring in chemical engineering at University of Washington, she created beautiful works of art with her needlepoint. She also enjoyed going to art galleries and museums taking me with her and thus exposing me to the art world. Anna also encouraged me to create my own artwork. Ed Prazokowski, an art professor at the U of W, also supported my creativity and allowed me to participate in several drawing and painting classes. I completed many sculpture and bronze classes at Olympic Community College in Bremerton, where I received an award for outstanding work and sculpture. Later, ceramic sculpture classes were a genuine pleasurable experience for me. Creating sensual organic forms derived from mother nature herself is truly joyful for me. Much of inspiration comes from all of these life experiences.
Presently two of my bronze sculptures are being displayed at Point Ruston Art Walk in Tacoma, Washington. Today I have been primarily working on carving large abstract iron wood sculpture and creating patina bronzes from my home in Mexico. Many of these art pieces are displayed here. I look forward to hearing from you with any comments, inquiries or interest in my work.
