John Puscheck was diagnosed with cancer back in May. He died on August 12.
Puscheck attended the Kansas City Art Institute in the late '60s. He was known for perpetually inventing new painting techniques: mixing watercolors with snow and then letting the snow melt; making use of the backs of canvases with backward paintings; spritzing crayon shavings with hot water to make hot-wax watercolors. But his real claim to fame was the "Evil Monkey" trio. Along with Mike Randall and Mike Temple, Puscheck put on painting shows that brought together art, food and music before the local "art opening" phenomenon was a cultural mainstay.
The shows were dedicated to the antithesis of the "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil" threesome. "The Evil Monkeys were see all evil, speak all evil and hear all evil," recalls friend and Dolphin Gallery owner John O'Brien. "I asked him which monkey that image in the window was supposed to represent. It was really all of them." T-shirts bearing the image, hand-printed from the original woodblock, could be spotted around town during the Evil Monkey heyday -- 1992-98.
Puscheck has left a greater legacy than most people realize. "I don't think many people know that the Charlotte Street Award is named after him," says artist Matt Wycoff, who explains that Puscheck's homes were gathering places. "He just sort of built this community out of nothing," Wycoff says. "He brought together a diverse group of people from all walks of life, and he made it look easy because it was an extension of his personality."
In the house on 54th Street and Charlotte -- jokingly known as the Charlotte Street Mission, where Puscheck acquired the nickname Reverend John P -- a constant game of dominoes was in session, there were always a few artists and musicians around, and barbecue prepared by the Reverend himself was ever available. David Ford explains, "He couldn't cook for less than 25 people." Chuck Haddix lived across the street and often brought over musicians, resulting in impromptu porch shows.
The day after Puscheck died, Haddix dedicated his KCUR 89.3 show, Saturday Night Fish Fry, to the artist. One listener e-mailed a note after the show, summing up the meaning of the monkey-face memorial at the Dolphin quite succinctly. "Life is short," he wrote. "Art is long."
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I knew John in the early 1970's and was sad to find out he passed away and happy to find out that he continued to paint ( I loved his work back then and wish I could find some images of later work on the internet), cook, give and entertain. He was a sweet man. May his creative soul continue his journey on the other side.
I saw that Arnie Young (drummer extrordinaire) had a site, read his mention of John, Mike Randall and Mike Temple and it brought back so many memories. I was the Canadian contingent back then with all those talented artists and musicians. Bruce Ricker, jazz film maker who made his first film in KC, passed away last month, was my first husband. Seems like so many of the people from back then are gone, David Upsher, Randy Sterck, Gina Greenlease, Bruce Ricker, John Puscheck. Peace to all of them.
Lenore from Canada
Wow! Sorry he's gone. I have a water color of his where he took my son out kite flying. Then he used the kite string to create a pattern on paper. It was a picture of the day. He was such a special person.
Out of curiosity, I was on Facebook looking up names of people who stood out in my memory as being pivotal in terms of their impact on my Kansas City Art Institute experience. I met John Puscheck when we were both Freshmen. He was an energetic and engaging person who befriended me early. Our friendship became a bond which lasted beyond the art school environment. He was a true friend. I became a member of that community of friends until I left, he inspired and motivated me. the city to attend grad school in Miami. For a few years, I kept in contact with him but eventually lost touch. In spite of time and distance separating us, he has maintained a special place in my memory and in my heart. A serious committed artist and a truly descent human being
Out of curiosity, I was on Facebook looking up names of people who stood out in my memory as being pivotal in terms of their impact on my Kansas City Art Institute experience. I met John Puscheck when we were both Freshmen. He was an energetic and engaging person who befriended me early. Our friendship became a bond which lasted beyond the art school environment. He was a true friend. I became a member of that community of friends until I left, he inspired and motivated me. the city to attend grad school in Miami. For a few years, I kept in contact with him but eventually lost touch. In spite of time and distance separating us, he has maintained a special place in my memory and in my heart. A serious committed artist and a truly descent human being
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