Biographical information about Stan Sowinski

Stanislaus J. Sowinski, known as "Stan" to friends and family, was an accomplished Painter, Iconographer, Illustrator and Teacher.  Stan was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 7, 1927.  He died at his home in Rancho Bernardo California on January 8, 2010 at the age of 82.

Stan Sowinski studied art in Milwaukee before joining the Navy in 1945.  He spent 26 years in the Navy, having four sea commands, including a 21-ship squadron during the Vietnam war.  He painted during his entire Navy career, finding ways to keep his skills sharp and his passion active even while stationed aboard ships at sea.  During that time he had one-man shows in Washington D.C., the U.K., Japan, and the Philippines.  Stan also showed at a special government sponsored exhibit at the U.S. Embassy in London.  He retired from the Navy in 1971, taking up permanent residence in San Diego County, and painted, taught art courses, exhibited and completed many special commissions for many churches and public buildings in the San Diego area. 

Stan had his early art training in High School where he studied with the former President of the Wisconsin Watercolor Society, Edward Boerner.  Later, when WWII ended, he enrolled in night courses to study with the California Impressionist, Alfred Mitchell.  Upon discharge from the Navy he enrolled in the San Diego School of Art.  After a year he transferred to San Diego State University where he was graduated with a BA in Arts/Education.

As his artistic talents grew and multiplied Stan became an authority and master of the Byzantine style Icon, and has completed many special religious theme commissions and placed large scale Icons in Orthodox and Catholic churches throughout the San Diego area.  His large scale oil paintings grace the walls of a university, corporate headquarters, restaurants, city halls, and many public buildings.  

His most recent accomplishments include a 6' X 18' oil dyptych for the Univeristy of California, San Diego, and the complete interior Altar Design and five very large oil paintings in traditional style for Saint Mary's Church in Escondido, California. 

In September 2006 Stan was commissioned to do a special painting related to his Polish heritage, a historical reenactment of "Pulaski and the Battle of Savannah," which was unveiled before a large audience in the Veteran's Room in the Polish Cultural Center, Milwaukee Wisconsin.  This commission was further honored by being placed in the center's permanent display for the public to view and enjoy.

A few of the more notable publications in which he appears include the International Who's Who, Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in American Art, and Falk's Who Was Who in American Art (featuring his work from 1950 back).