Juris A. Kakis - Paintings and Drawings

Site Search:

Search Tips | Sitemap
Self Portrait - Acrylic on Canvas

Juris was born in Riga, Latvia and immigrated to the United States with his family. His mother, Anna Rozentals Kakis
was a painter and very involved in the arts both in Latvia and the U.S. Juris' father was a medical doctor from a family of several generations of doctors.

At the age of eleven, his first year in America, Juris won an art award in New York City as part of an elementary school competition. This recognition would be the basis for his love in the arts.

To satisfy his father, Juris received his B.A. in Biology in Pre-Med studies at Kent State University. He decided not to continue in the medical field and received his M.F.A. from Kent State. His emphasis in the figure was under the scrutiny of Professor Elmer Novotny, while Professor Mel Someroski directed Juris to study the works of Marie Laurencin in the development of the female, and Prof. Homer Weiner recognized his desire to advance in Abstract Expressionism. Juris received his M.A. from The Ohio State University working with Hoyt Sherman in developing color and luminosity and with Robert King refining his drawing and line. He later attended a post-graduate program in film at Ohio State.

Juris completed thirty-seven years of teaching painting and drawing at the Ohio Dominican University where he retired as Professor with Tenure. During that time, he was Chair of the Department of Art and Curator of the Wehrle Gallery.

Although Juris was primarily involved with abstract expressionism for over ten years, he has returned to the human figure utilizing both a classical and a neo-expressionistic style.

Besides the figure, Juris enjoys painting flowers, roosters, horses, and trees, all from the influence of Prof. Harold Kitner at Kent State.

Juris has had many exhibitions throughout the United States and Europe. His works are included in the permanent collections of the Columbus Museum of Art and the National Museum of Art in Riga, Latvia as well as numerous corporate and private collections.




Artist Website by Terry Lipford