Art in MKE: Fred Kaems' murals bring wave of color across city and beyond
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- From big to small, Fred Kaems' art is splashed across Milwaukee and surrounding areas and neighborhoods -- bringing color to what Kaems says used to be a "rather gray" city.
It all started when Kaems was a kid, always doodling, sketching, and drawing on things.
"I liked to make things creative, but I never really considered myself an artist necessarily," Kaems said.
When he was a teenager, Kaems became interested in graffiti. He started painting graffiti and realized making art was one of his passions. In the late 90s, the days of dial-up internet access, Kaems started to learn about stencils and layering stencils using online message boards. The technique ultimately helped him learn about dark, light and shadows.
Fred Kaems
Using spray paint as a medium, working with stencils, and painting on different surfaces, Kaems was improving the skills he still uses to this day.
After high school, Kaems thought he wanted to be an architect. He ended up taking a few art classes required for an architecture degree, but ultimately solidified his passion to create art. In 2016, Kaems graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in digital studio practices and earned a certificate in digital fabrication and design.
Stepping into the realm of being a real artist, Kaems focused on fine art, canvas painting, and shared a studio with other artists.
"I'd travel and see murals…and I'd be like, 'Oh man that city looks so cool cause it's got art everywhere.' Then I'd come back to Milwaukee, and it'd be gray…pretty gray most of the time."
Returning to the Cream (or gray) City, Kaems worked to find an audience for his art but finding people who wanted a mural was a challenge.
"You couldn’t give them away," said Kaems. "Early on…there was a lot less examples of [murals] in the late 2010s. People were very hesitant and there wasn't really anything being sought out."
Kaems took the jobs he could get in order to get his work out there. The process includes finding a concept, a space for the mural and the budget to buy the supplies.
WAVE OF COLOR IN MILWAUKEE
Kaems' first "real mural" can be found in an alleyway off Juneau Avenue, near a bar that's now called Mojo -- between Water and Edison Streets. Painted on the side of a fence, the piece includes a wolf head with patterns behind it. Kaems said he incorporated bits and pieces of his fine art practice for the mural titled "Lone Wolf."
"At the time, my fine art stuff was lots of animals and patterns so that's where that one was coming from."
Kaems said the wolf mural was different than anything he painted on a wall up to that point. It's when he marked a real change in his focus -- bringing more color to Milwaukee any way he could. "Milwaukee was ready for it and there were a few of us trying to make it happen," said Kaems. "By 2016-17 is when things started to change. Now, more people are asking for murals."
Lone Wolf mural
There's a lot to consider when coming up with the concept for a mural. Kaems says he looks at how the piece will be viewed, where it's located, size, surface texture, paint colors, and more.
"When I walk away from it and not standing there to explain it, is it going to be clear what it's supposed to be about? Or is it supposed to be imaginative? Are you supposed to build your own story around it? Those are additional considerations," said Kaems.
FAVORITE WORKS
Fred Kaems
When asked what his favorite piece he's done, Kaems said that's like asking him to pick a favorite child.
"I'm proud of all of them for different reasons," said Kaems. "The ones I am happiest with are the ones generally best received by the public…that's who it's for. It's for everybody and if they're excited about it then I've done my job."
During the pandemic, Kaems worked on a mural at the Heights Dream Library, located at 57th and Vliet, and it turned into his favorite piece because of the impact it had on the community.
The project was supposed to incorporate the neighborhood and community, but they were unable to go through with their plans because people weren't allowed to be close to each other due to COVID safety guidelines.
"That one has gotten a lot of really positive attention," said Kaems. "It's a cool mural but I think the time that it happened in, people needed positive stuff. I saw how that one affected people."
Heights Dream Library, 5700 W. Vliet St. on Milwaukee's west side
WHAT'S NEXT?
As for what's next for Kaems, he says he can't reveal many details so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled.
"I have a whole bunch in the works right now."
Fred Kaems has made a name for himself, a name you'll see across Milwaukee and beyond on underpasses, businesses, hallways, garages and more.
"I have enough interest coming through my inbox, or conversations happening," said Kaems. "One advantage for me, I've been doing it for a long time. I have a track record. I can work really big, I can work fast, I have the experience to do things that certain other people that are just beginning aren't necessarily capable of and that's only because I've worked up to this time. I have a pretty extensive portfolio that shows I have a range."
Pick 'n Save, 6760 W National Avenue in West Allis
Kaems is humble talking about his success, saying he isn't the only one who's brightened up the city with art.
"I don't think I'm responsible for anything happening in Milwaukee. I do think I've accomplished a lot. But there were other people doing things," Kaems said. "There's lots of murals going up these days."
Kaems says it's the art -- and the people -- keeping his passion alive.
"As long as I do things with the best of intentions and bring some positivity to this world that things will continue to happen, and I can pick and choose what within that I can do. I'm just gonna keep doing it. As long as I can bring some kind of color to this city, make people happy, and my bills are paid…that's about the best job you can have."
To see more of Fred Kaems' work, click through the gallery below: