In the Studio with Hudson Valley Multidimensional Artist David Kucera

Welcome to the latest installment of “In the Studio with,” our ongoing series exploring the artists and their creative spaces throughout the Hudson Valley and Catskills region. Produced in collaboration with littlebitcreates, this time, we had the pleasure of visiting the studio of David Kucera — a painter, sculptor, and owner of 68 Prince Street Gallery — whose work bridges the worlds of fine art and architectural craftsmanship.

David’s creative journey began in childhood, where a natural instinct for building and making laid the foundation for a life devoted to artistic exploration. His deep background in architectural sculpture — spanning historic landmark restorations to contemporary design elements — continues to shape his practice, infusing his studio work with a rare blend of technical precision and expressive form.

David’s artistic output also includes fine art painting, with the artist moving between both mediums, with an approach defined by an openness to creative flow. He favors smaller paintings as a way to stay connected to the creative process, especially given the time and organization often needed for sculpting.

Watch our latest video by littlebitcreats, as we step inside David’s world, where structure meets imagination, and every piece tells a story of hands-on problem-solving and material mastery.

Let’s get to know more about multidimensional artist, David Kucera.

INSIDE + OUT: What inspired you to become an artist, and what was your journey?

David Kucera: The artistic seed was planted when I was just a kid attending a progressive Quaker school. That’s where I was first introduced to clay, to different cultures, and the beginnings of visual language. I was lucky to have teachers who could communicate the idea that making things could hold meaning. As a kid, I always loved building and creating; it just felt natural to me.

How does your personal and professional background influence your sculpture?

David Kucera: For the past 35 years, I’ve owned and operated an architectural sculpture company that manufactures concrete products. We work on everything from historic landmark restoration to cutting-edge architectural elements for new buildings. That experience has had a significant influence on the kind of sculpture I’m interested in making today. It’s given me a particular lens to see through, shaped by decades of challenges, problem-solving, and hands-on work. Over time, this has built a deep confidence in understanding materials and how to translate ideas into form.

You are also a fine art painter. Do you have a preference for one art form over the other?

David Kucera: Absolutely not! I follow wherever the ideas lead me. That said, I’m almost always working on small paintings as a way to stay connected to the creative process, especially since sculpture often requires more time, space, and organization. In the end, I don’t really think in terms of preference; it’s more about staying open to what each idea needs.

Describe your creative process for creating your sculptures. Likewise, what is your creative process for your paintings?

David Kucera: For both my sculptures and paintings, the process always begins with an idea, a kind of “house of thought” that serves as the foundation. With sculpture, I work directly with the figure. I start by creating a simple, rectilinear column roughly proportioned to the human body, using pigmented, reinforced concrete. Once the form is made, I deconstruct it through a demolition process, allowing the internal reinforcement to guide the final outcome. It’s a negotiation between intention and material.

My paintings, on the other hand, are built through layers, incorporating drawing, printmaking, and painting techniques. They explore natural architectures and the formal relationships of color, line, and mass. Each layer builds upon the next, searching for balance between structure and abstraction.

“I don’t really think in terms of preference; it’s more about staying open to what each idea needs.”  – David Kucera

What is it like to move from one medium to the other? How do you decide?

David Kucera: Sculpture requires more planning, space, and setup, especially in creating the initial column forms. There’s a deliberate commitment involved in starting that process. Painting, on the other hand, is much more flexible; it can happen alongside the sculpture work or independently, without conflict. I see the two practices as running parallel to each other; one doesn’t get in the way of the other.

What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of your work as an artist, and most recently, running a gallery in addition to that?

David Kucera: Because I’ve always run a business, one of the biggest challenges and ultimately the most rewarding has been establishing a consistent, meaningful art practice. It’s been about shifting from creating occasionally to working with real momentum and purpose.

Being a rural-based artist, isolation has always been a major challenge for me. Starting th 68 Prince Street Gallery with my wife, Paula, has helped break that isolation and connected me to the incredible art community here in the Hudson Valley. It’s opened doors and created relationships I never would have had otherwise.

What is one question you’re constantly asked, or the biggest misconception about your work?

David Kucera: Because my work involves very specific processes, people are often curious about how I achieve certain visual results. But for me, the work isn’t really about the process; it’s about exploring our shared humanity and our innate sense of curiosity. The process is just the tool, not the subject.

What impact does your work as an artist have on your community?

David Kucera: For me, it’s less about making an impact and more about being part of the community, contributing in a meaningful, authentic way. I’m more interested in connection than influence.

We know from a recent interview about 68 Prince Street that you are an avid adventure motorcyclist. How does this inform your sculpture and painting – if at all?

David Kucera: Great question! I’m not sure I have a clear answer, but I will say that adventure riding is a fully immersive, in-the-moment experience. It brings a clarity of purpose and often leads to places that are extraordinary and awe-inspiring. I think that sense of discovery and presence naturally finds its way into my work, even if indirectly.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

David Kucera: I’d choose something I call C.H.E.C. power, a combination of Clarity, Holistic thinking, Empathy, and Creativity. It would give me the ability to approach any challenge with deep understanding and insight. That would be a pretty great superpower to have, haha!

What is your current state of mind?

David Kucera: Busy and Clear

Photos courtesy of David Kucera and littlebitcreates

Follow + Connect with David Kucera via Website | Instagram

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See more of our IN THE STUDIO WITH… Artist Series:

In the Studio with Horticulturist and Encaustic Artist Allyson Levy
In the Studio with Abstract Artist Joel Longenecker

In the Studio with Mixed Media Artist Yoko Izu

In the Studio with Contemporary Artist Andrew Lyght

In the Studio with Multimedia Artist David McIntyre

In the Studio with Experiential Artist Amanda Russo Rubman

In the Studio with Bespoke Ceramicist R.A. Pesce

In the Studio with Artist Elizabeth Keithline

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This ongoing artist series was produced in collaboration with Richard Hall and Mimi Young, founders of littlebitcreates.

Richard Hall and Mimi Young are the creative forces behind littlebitcreates. They produce a variety of projects, including in-depth artist profiles, event-specific promotional videos, and music videos. Their approach is exciting, innovative, and contemporary. In addition to their client work, Hall and Young collaborate with other creatives to create multidimensional, neo-surreal videos as part of a noncommercial venture. Littlebitcreates emerged from the extensive knowledge Hall and Young gained over 30 years of experience in photo shoots and multimedia art. They exclusively shoot all of their videos on iPhones, appreciating the distinctive aesthetic it produces and the comfort it offers their subjects in front of the camera.

Follow + Connect with littlebitcreates via Website | Vimeo | @littlebitcreates