Seven years later, Canadian-born Isik has become one of Columbus' more successful resident artists. Hundreds of pieces of plywood have been transformed into his own wooden circus - boards adorned with playful wolves, fairy tale characters, statues of liberty, Adam & Eve, movie stars and clowns. Some are two-dimensional while others have dirt, bottle caps, or glass eyes embedded under oil paint, adding texture and character. Even the animals that appear menacing seem to have a sense of humor - alligators are as cunning as casino-running Mafioso caricatures, while little red riding hood looks as though she's feigning distress just to fool the wolf.

An up-and-coming collector's favorite, Isik's work has merited gallery space not only in larger American cities, but in several other countries. Pieces have been shown in Germany, France, Belgium and Egypt, to name just a few. Next spring, he will be among the first 20th century artists to ever have work shown at the Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.

While firmly entrenched in Columbus' art community, Isik spends most of his year painting pieces that go to galleries and special exhibitions across the country. Once a year, he puts together a show that includes approximately 25 pieces for a local gallery, usually one that has helped him in the past. His original jester makes an appearance at each of these shows, but will never be sold. He sells work directly out of the studio he calls home - a warehouse apartment in Olde Towne East's Avery Building. Erected in 1909, the building was once the first Pontiac dealership in the world, a factoid Isik loves.

When Isik first began to paint, it didn't occur to him to show his work in public. Most of the work was viewed solely by him and his house guests. After seven months without a job, his apartment was filling up with his paintings.

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