Arthur Doweyko Q & A with Eastern Iowa Review
Chila: Arthur, you provided a stunning cover for our SmartApocalypse issue (#5). Tell us first about your painting life in general. Do you paint often? What subjects or themes do you find yourself most drawn to in your painting pursuits, and what are your favorite mediums?
Arthur: From drawing comic book covers in grade school, to doodling in high school, illustrating literary-art magazines, and selling painting at sidewalk art shows, I have always enjoyed drawing and painting. My career as a scientist interrupted some of that, but now that I am retired, I've devoted most of my time to the arts, namely writing and painting in oils. Themes most attractive to me are those that reflect upon us as humans in a mysterious universe.
Chila: Now about the specific cover you've titled "Remember Me." How did it come about? How long did it take? It's oil on canvas, I believe. Brilliant work, and we were both lucky and excited to receive it.
Arthur: Inspired by some edgy photographs using harsh light and curious angles. I thought it interesting to see how the mind fills in details where none are apparent. Thus the observer oscillates between light and shadow, struggling to see the obscured parts of the human form. The painting took about an hour to complete.
Chila: As your bio states, you're primarily a scientist and a science fiction author, as well as a teacher. You certainly seem to lead a fascinating life. Is painting a distraction for you from the heaviness of scientific inquiry / teaching? Or did you get into it for another reason?
Arthur: Back in high school I took a vocational aptitude test, hoping it would focus me on a future path. Two huge peaks appeared in my profile, exactly the same height - namely, science and art. My father suggested that as an artist I could never be a scientist, but as a scientist I could certainly take the time to be an artist. He was right.
Chila: I was also intrigued (and thrilled) when I read that you "shared the 2008 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for the discovery of Sprycel, a new anti-cancer drug." My father has been battling CML for several years now, and has used Sprycel off and on during that time. He is closely monitored with the various chemo drugs he's been on, has occasional blood infusions, and I'm sure the medication has extended his life by years. I can't thank our scientists enough, our medical professionals, our forward thinking gamechangers. I love my father and am so glad to still have him! So thank you for your part in that. Do you still do the hands-on research & development of those sort of drugs (such as Sprycel)? What can you tell us that we might not know about the process, an interesting tidbit on the journey from idea to a marketable and lifesaving medicine?
Arthur: My scientific career was focused on the discovery of bio-active molecules. My research ranged from bench chemistry to the theoretical. In my spare time I developed a novel computer-assisted way to visualize and predict what structures would lead to enhanced biological activity. This work led to the opportunity to work for a major pharmaceutical company where I specialized in computer-aided drug design, working within a larger group of biologists and chemists in pursuit of novel drugs in a variety of therapeutic areas. Sprycel was the result of a huge team effort of which I was a part. Its structure was one that I had modeled.
Chila: You write science fiction and have several published books. Where are you going next with your writing? What's in the works?
Arthur: At this point I have three books published: Algorithm - Man's origin and purpose; As Wings Unfurl - Guardian angels that are not angels; and My Shorts - an anthology of some of my best short stories. The latest project is called Wind-In-Trees - a story of the last human, a Lakota Sioux cyborg intent on discovering the truth behind an apparent apocalypse. This piece has already been given a 5-star review by Reader's Favorite and has garnered a Royal Palm Literary Award (Florida Writers Association). Wind-In-Trees is currently being shopped to agents and publishers.
Chila: Out of your many interests, hobbies, and accomplishments, is there one that stands out to you as the most engaging or rewarding?
Arthur: As you may know, happiness is a fleeting concept in our reality. So, each success seems at the moment to be the best thing that ever happened. The reality is that a number of happy moments come to mind. Certainly, the successful introduction of a new cancer drug ranks high in this regard (it's so incredibly difficult to bring a drug to market that very few scientists get a chance to see that happen). I've played soccer for most of my life, and winning two first place trophies in a men's league was rewarding as a coach/player (my last goal was a left-footed corner kick that went in high in the corner of the goal). Getting my debut novel, Algorithm, published was also quite rewarding. Perhaps, the most rewarding is to share stories and art with others, seeing their reactions and sharing those moments of insight.
Chila: What else can you tell us about yourself, Arthur, something I didn't ask or something you simply want to share? Feel free to share as much or as little as you wish.
Arthur: I play a mean game of 8-ball.
Chila: Arthur, you provided a stunning cover for our SmartApocalypse issue (#5). Tell us first about your painting life in general. Do you paint often? What subjects or themes do you find yourself most drawn to in your painting pursuits, and what are your favorite mediums?
Arthur: From drawing comic book covers in grade school, to doodling in high school, illustrating literary-art magazines, and selling painting at sidewalk art shows, I have always enjoyed drawing and painting. My career as a scientist interrupted some of that, but now that I am retired, I've devoted most of my time to the arts, namely writing and painting in oils. Themes most attractive to me are those that reflect upon us as humans in a mysterious universe.
Chila: Now about the specific cover you've titled "Remember Me." How did it come about? How long did it take? It's oil on canvas, I believe. Brilliant work, and we were both lucky and excited to receive it.
Arthur: Inspired by some edgy photographs using harsh light and curious angles. I thought it interesting to see how the mind fills in details where none are apparent. Thus the observer oscillates between light and shadow, struggling to see the obscured parts of the human form. The painting took about an hour to complete.
Chila: As your bio states, you're primarily a scientist and a science fiction author, as well as a teacher. You certainly seem to lead a fascinating life. Is painting a distraction for you from the heaviness of scientific inquiry / teaching? Or did you get into it for another reason?
Arthur: Back in high school I took a vocational aptitude test, hoping it would focus me on a future path. Two huge peaks appeared in my profile, exactly the same height - namely, science and art. My father suggested that as an artist I could never be a scientist, but as a scientist I could certainly take the time to be an artist. He was right.
Chila: I was also intrigued (and thrilled) when I read that you "shared the 2008 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for the discovery of Sprycel, a new anti-cancer drug." My father has been battling CML for several years now, and has used Sprycel off and on during that time. He is closely monitored with the various chemo drugs he's been on, has occasional blood infusions, and I'm sure the medication has extended his life by years. I can't thank our scientists enough, our medical professionals, our forward thinking gamechangers. I love my father and am so glad to still have him! So thank you for your part in that. Do you still do the hands-on research & development of those sort of drugs (such as Sprycel)? What can you tell us that we might not know about the process, an interesting tidbit on the journey from idea to a marketable and lifesaving medicine?
Arthur: My scientific career was focused on the discovery of bio-active molecules. My research ranged from bench chemistry to the theoretical. In my spare time I developed a novel computer-assisted way to visualize and predict what structures would lead to enhanced biological activity. This work led to the opportunity to work for a major pharmaceutical company where I specialized in computer-aided drug design, working within a larger group of biologists and chemists in pursuit of novel drugs in a variety of therapeutic areas. Sprycel was the result of a huge team effort of which I was a part. Its structure was one that I had modeled.
Chila: You write science fiction and have several published books. Where are you going next with your writing? What's in the works?
Arthur: At this point I have three books published: Algorithm - Man's origin and purpose; As Wings Unfurl - Guardian angels that are not angels; and My Shorts - an anthology of some of my best short stories. The latest project is called Wind-In-Trees - a story of the last human, a Lakota Sioux cyborg intent on discovering the truth behind an apparent apocalypse. This piece has already been given a 5-star review by Reader's Favorite and has garnered a Royal Palm Literary Award (Florida Writers Association). Wind-In-Trees is currently being shopped to agents and publishers.
Chila: Out of your many interests, hobbies, and accomplishments, is there one that stands out to you as the most engaging or rewarding?
Arthur: As you may know, happiness is a fleeting concept in our reality. So, each success seems at the moment to be the best thing that ever happened. The reality is that a number of happy moments come to mind. Certainly, the successful introduction of a new cancer drug ranks high in this regard (it's so incredibly difficult to bring a drug to market that very few scientists get a chance to see that happen). I've played soccer for most of my life, and winning two first place trophies in a men's league was rewarding as a coach/player (my last goal was a left-footed corner kick that went in high in the corner of the goal). Getting my debut novel, Algorithm, published was also quite rewarding. Perhaps, the most rewarding is to share stories and art with others, seeing their reactions and sharing those moments of insight.
Chila: What else can you tell us about yourself, Arthur, something I didn't ask or something you simply want to share? Feel free to share as much or as little as you wish.
Arthur: I play a mean game of 8-ball.
I appreciate Arthur's poignant art contribution to our SmartApocalypse issue, as well as this enlightening slice of his life. - Chila
Arthur Doweyko has authored over 100 scientific papers, invented novel 3D drug design software, and shared the 2008 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for the discovery of Sprycel, a new anti-cancer drug. He writes science fiction and fantasy, and his novels include Algorithm (2010 Royal Palm Literary Award, pub 2014, E-Lit), As Wings Unfurl (Best Pre-Pub Sci-Fi RPLA 2014, pub 2016, Red Adept), and Mt Shorts (2016 anthology of his short works). The latter includes a number of award-winning short stories (Honorable Mentions in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Competition and RPLA finalists). Doweyko teaches college chemistry and wanders the beaches when not jousting with aliens. Issue 5
Arthur Doweyko has authored over 100 scientific papers, invented novel 3D drug design software, and shared the 2008 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for the discovery of Sprycel, a new anti-cancer drug. He writes science fiction and fantasy, and his novels include Algorithm (2010 Royal Palm Literary Award, pub 2014, E-Lit), As Wings Unfurl (Best Pre-Pub Sci-Fi RPLA 2014, pub 2016, Red Adept), and Mt Shorts (2016 anthology of his short works). The latter includes a number of award-winning short stories (Honorable Mentions in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Competition and RPLA finalists). Doweyko teaches college chemistry and wanders the beaches when not jousting with aliens. Issue 5
