Kochan brings politics and portraits to Silverwood

Alexander Kochan, a multimedia artist known for his captivating portraits, will return to the Silverwood Gallery in Burton for a one-man show in November.

Alexander Kochan, a multimedia artist known for his captivating portraits, will return to the Silverwood Gallery in Burton for a one-man show in November.

His first show at Silverwood last year captured stories of the rockers and rollers he dealt with in his long and successful career as an agent, promoter and manager in the music business. His show this year, says Margaret Heffelfinger, co-owner of the Silverwood Gallery, will touch upon politics.

“And since his show opens three days after the presidential elections, it will be interesting to see who is hanging front and center,” she said.

Kochan works with a variety of mediums — paint, graphite, pastel “or anything that makes a mark,” Heffelfinger said.

He found his way into painting after Paul McCartney, one of his clients, suggested he start painting, she said.

“I always thought I was a suit,” Kochan told her. “But I discovered I wasn’t a suit; I was an artist constrained by a jacket. A straightjacket, as it turned out.”

The show opens Friday, Nov. 7, with an artist reception from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Silverwood Gallery is located at 23927 Vashon Hwy. S.W.