John David Ratajkowski: A Multifaceted Artist and Father of a Supermodel
John David Ratajkowski is an American artist born in 1946 in San Diego, California.
He is the father of Emily Ratajkowski, a famous model and former actress.
In this article, we will explore his life, his art, and his relationship with his daughter.
John David Ratajkowski Wikipedia
According to Wikipedia1, John David Ratajkowski grew up in Coronado, California, where he developed a passion for drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking.
He is of Polish and Irish descent, and his father was a Roman Catholic while his mother was Jewish.
John studied art at the University of California, San Diego, and later taught art in North County, San Diego, for 40 years.
He also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to create portraits of Alzheimer’s patients.
John David Ratajkowski Polish
John David Ratajkowski has a solid connection to his Polish heritage.
His paternal grandfather, Joseph T. Ratajkowski, was a Polish immigrant who settled in Chicago and worked as a coal miner.
His paternal grandmother, Mary Lee Hays, was an Irish-American who converted to Catholicism.
John David Ratajkowski has visited Poland several times and has exhibited his work there.
He was also invited to be a resident artist at Dom Polonia, a national arts council in Poland2.
John David Ratajkowski Parents
John David Ratajkowski’s parents were both educators who encouraged his artistic talent.
His father, Joseph T. Ratajkowski Jr., was a high school math teacher and a painter.
His mother, Mary Lee Hays Ratajkowski, was an elementary school teacher and a writer.
They both supported their son’s decision to pursue art as a career and exposed him to different cultures and places.
John Ratajkowski Art
John Ratajkowski’s art is diverse and experimental.
He works with various materials and techniques, such as encaustic, bronze, raw pigments, found objects, and clay.
He makes his own paint and mixes his own colors.
John is influenced by the places he visits and the people he meets.
He has created abstract paintings, collages, sculptures, cartoons, and portraits.
Some of his subjects include African-American blues musicians, Roma people of Eastern Europe, Jewish literary figures in film, Irish musicians, and Alzheimer’s patients.
He has had over 25 exhibitions in Europe and the US.
You can see some of his artworks on his website.
Who is Emily Ratajkowski’s Father?
Emily Ratajkowski is the only child of John David Ratajkowski and Kathleen Anne Balgley.
She was born in London in 1991 but grew up in Encinitas, California.
She started modeling at the age of 14 and later became an actress.
Emily is best known for her roles in Gone Girl (2014), We Are Your Friends (2015), I Feel Pretty (2018), and Welcome Home (2018).
She has also appeared on the cover of several magazines and in music videos by Robin Thicke and Maroon 51.
Emily Ratajkowski has a close relationship with her father.
She spent a lot of time with him in his studio as a child and learned from his artistic process.
Emily also accompanied him on his travels to Ireland, Mallorca, Poland, and Bulgaria. She credits him for inspiring her creativity and confidence.
She has also collaborated with him on some projects, such as a video called Who Will You Be? (2020), which she wrote and he filmed.
Who are Emily Ratajkowski’s Parents?
Emily Ratajkowski’s parents are John David Ratajkowski and Kathleen Anne Balgley.
They are both American but met in London while teaching at the same school.
They moved back to the US when Emily was five years old.
Kathleen Anne Balgley is an English professor and writer who specializes in feminist theory and literature.
She teaches at San Diego City College and California State University San Marcos.
She has also written essays for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, and other publications.
Emily Ratajkowski’s parents are both supportive of her career choices and proud of her achievements. They have also influenced her views on feminism, sexuality, and identity.
Emily Ratajkowski has described her parents as “intellectuals” who raised her to be independent and curious.
Conclusion
John David Ratajkowski is a multifaceted artist who has explored various forms of expression.
He is also the father of Emily Ratajkowski, a successful model and former actress who shares his artistic vision and values.
John David Ratajkowski and Emily Ratajkowski have a strong bond that is based on mutual respect and admiration.
They are both examples of how art can enrich one’s life and connect one to the world.
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