Conversations with Paul Kroner

Hi Paul, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a classic Buckeye Boomeranger. I grew up in the Western Hills of Cincinnati, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Graphic Design in 1982, and then moved to Boston, MA, where I lived for 37 years until I returned to Cincinnati in 2017. 

My last co-op job turned into a 16-year job at a nationally recognized design firm in Boston. Then, in 1998, I founded my own design firm, Kroner Design, specializing in marketing communication and brand design for clients in higher education, high-tech, and the legal and travel industries. Although I enjoyed being a designer and solving client communication challenges, I always wanted to be an artist. Despite this passion, I hesitated, feeling I lacked the necessary talent and voice.

The turning point came in 2009 when the economy tanked, and I lost several major clients. With some free time on my hands, I asked myself, “If not now, when?” and began taking classes in painting and sculpture. A series of classes led me to Italy for a three-week immersive drawing, sculpture, and painting program in 2010. Despite being twice as old as my fellow students, I dedicated myself to the experience and embraced constructive criticism, convinced I had found my artistic voice. 

After my return to Boston, I caught a lucky break and landed a terrific studio space in the Vernon Street Studios in Somerville, MA, a vibrant art colony. Despite ongoing feelings of imposter syndrome, I persevered, taking classes and workshops and exploring various creative avenues. 

Fast forward to 2017, I moved back to Cincinnati after a divorce, reuniting with my siblings. It was a tough decision to leave my home in Cambridge, but I felt my kids were in a good place, and I needed a fresh start. I found a studio in the Lower Price Hill section, joined an artist co-op gallery, and immersed myself in the city’s artistic offerings. 

In 2020, I took over Dick Waller’s Art Space in downtown Cincinnati, transforming it into Studio Kroner. After months of renovations and waiting for Covid to subside, Studio Kroner officially opened on April 15, 2021. The studio seamlessly combines my working space with a radiant gallery, showcasing a rotating collection of artists from local, regional, national, and international scenes. 

Since opening, Studio Kroner has hosted 18 different shows, drawing hundreds of visitors to events like “ALL ELSE PALES,” “TRASH TALK,” and “YES, BUT IS IT ART?” These successful endeavors underscore our commitment to fostering dialogue and community engagement through art. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine returning to Cincinnati and owning an art gallery downtown? Yet, in hindsight, it all makes perfect sense to me. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Looking back on my life, there were moments that felt like smooth sailing, but to be honest, there were more twists, turns, and unexpected potholes than I would have preferred. Luckily, none of them led to a free fall off a cliff! 

One of the major challenges in my life has been dealing with fractured relationships—I’ve had my fair share. Yet, these experiences were some of my most influential teachers. They pushed me to dig deeper into self-discovery, making me brutally aware of my own flaws and ultimately shaping me into a more understanding and curious individual. 

Struggling with bouts of low self-esteem, self-doubt, and a lack of confidence in my abilities has been another hurdle. Like many artists I know, there are still times when I find myself in the valley of despair. But the good news is that these visits are now shorter and less terrifying than they used to be. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many hats – both literally and figuratively! As a designer, I honed my craft in brand and marketing design, tackling tricky visual challenges for all kinds of clients, from tech giants to pint-sized startups. Now, I’m putting those skills to good use in marketing for Studio Kroner and the incredible artists I represent. 

My journey as a visual artist takes me through various mediums and subjects. I work comfortably in both 2D and 3D, seamlessly shifting between them as I explore different motifs. If I had to name a muse, it would be the human form – I play with it in both straightforward and abstract ways. While I’m probably best known for my bronze sculptures, especially a collection I call “Twoods” (rhymes with nudes), I’m also an accomplished painter.