Stanislaus Joseph Sowinski Biography

View Art by Stanislaus Joseph Sowinski

Stanislaus J. Sowinski (1927 - 2010) Known as "Stan" to friends and family, was an accomplished Painter, Iconographer, Illustrator and Teacher. Born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 7, 1927, he died on January 8, 2010.

Sowinski studied art in Milwaukee before joining the Navy in 1945. He spent 26 years in the Navy, having four sea commands, including a 21-ship squadron during the Vietnam war. He painted during his entire Navy career, finding ways to keep his skills sharp and his passion active even while stationed aboard ships at sea. During that time he had one-man shows in Washington D.C., the United Kingdom, Japan and the Philippines. Sowinski also showed at a special government sponsored exhibit at the U.S. Embassy in London. He retired from the Navy in 1971, taking up permanent residence in San Diego County, and painted, taught art courses, exhibited and completed special commissions for many churches and public buildings in the San Diego area.

His early art training was with the former President of the Wisconsin Watercolor Society, Edward Boerner. When WWII ended, he enrolled in night courses to study with the California Impressionist, Alfred Mitchell. Upon discharge from the Navy he enrolled in the San Diego School of Art for a year and then transferred to San Diego State University where he graduated with a BA in Arts/Education.

As his artistic talents grew and multiplied, Stan became an authority and master of the Byzantine style Icon, and has completed many special religious theme commissions and placed large scale Icons in Orthodox and Catholic churches throughout the San Diego County. His large scale oil paintings grace the walls of a University, corporate headquarters, restaurants, city halls and many public buildings.



His most recent accomplishments included a 6' X 18' oil diptych for the University of California, San Diego, and the complete interior Altar Design and five large oil paintings for Saint Mary's Church in Escondido, California.

In September 2006, Sowinski was commissioned to do a special painting related to his Polish heritage, a historical reenactment of "Pulaski and the Battle of Savannah", which was unveiled before a large audience in the Polish Cultural Center's Veteran's Room in Milwaukee Wisconsin. This commission was further honored by being placed in the center's permanent display for the public to view and enjoy.



Sowinski is included in the International Who's Who, Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in American Art, and Falk's Who Was Who in American Art (featuring artwork prior to 1950).

California Watercolor