Estelle Chojnicki
Q&A
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What is your background?
Growing up in the rural farmland of upstate New York I helped my parents with their businesses along with my older brother. At a young age I ran machinery and construction crews flipping old houses for my mother’s rental business. Not many people realize how many craftsmanship skills are taught with renovating old homes. The patience, attention to detail and fine motor skills transitioned quite easily to my art hobby. When it came time for college, I wanted to see the world, little did I know that it would be the first of many adventures to come. Taking the plunge, I went to the American University of Paris in Paris, France. Although it was quite overwhelming for a country girl, I took in many inspirations from museums, the city, and of course from Versailles. However, I made something even more important and that is a sisterhood with two of my lifelong friends. When I finished college, I did not immediately take up being an artist, instead focusing on obtaining a job which was not easy compared to today’s internet tools. Later, I married my brilliant scientist of a husband and had four amazing children. I have a high functioning Autistic daughter that is now working in academic disability services for college students, and triplet boys that are freshmen in college. My husband encouraged me to start my professional art career by networking with my first art gallery in California. It was from then on with perseverance that I grew as an artist.
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What inspires you and what is your creative process?
One thing that inspires me is my current surroundings, where I’m currently living for instance. I frequently retreat to my art studio and paint the colors of nature that are around me. During my time in California my style represented the beautiful sunsets and the sounds of the surf. While in Rhode Island the colors took on the life of the bay area. And who can live without music?!? That’s the first thing I do when I get in my studio, turn on my Alexa and let the juices start flowing!
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What is your favourite subject matter and why?
I enjoy working in the abstract. I like working with the accident that happens on the surface and letting myself flow with it and see where that journey will take me.
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Who are your biggest influences?
My family have been the greatest supporters of my artwork. They push me every day to try new techniques and grow my art career.
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How have you stayed inspired and energized during the pandemic?
Keeping to a routine has helped me greatly during the pandemic. Setting aside an hour or so to create has helped with the cabin fever of being with my family, and managing the stress of the pandemic.
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What is/are your favourite medium(s)?
My work began in oils and then evolved to acrylics and now I am most inspired by alcohol inks. I am fascinated how alcohol inks flow on clay boards and age like fine wine. The inks do take on a soul of their own and I enjoy manipulating them into my own creations.
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How long does it take to complete a piece, and what is the entire process? Do you like working on different pieces at the same time?
Applying the paints and inks to the piece may take a matter of minutes. However, I lose myself in the manipulation of the medium. Adding here and there, taking away where need be. The hours can slip by rather quickly. However, having patience as the piece dries is part of the process as well. The medium can change as it’s drying, so you cannot let your guard down until it’s fully dry. I do love working on multiple pieces at the same time or more so doing several pieces in a session.
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Name an artist(s) you’d like to be compared to.
I think I would be honoured to be compared to anyone really. Although I have my own style and look. I just want the viewer to enjoy the work.
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What subjects do you pursue and why?
The abstract! I love how everyone can view my artwork differently. One person will see one thing and someone else can see something else; it is a fascinating way to examine human perspective.
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What other artists have been inspirational to you in your work?
Joan Mitchell, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Berthe Morisot are artists that have given inspiration to my work. Mitchell’s freedom of expressionism is very powerful to me. I love the feel of release and her use of color in her aggressive energetic strokes. O’Keeffe for her use of color and ability to bring in a flare of the abstract to her work. Finally, Morisot for her use of light and her passion to capture women’s world during her area.
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What do you hope people feel when they view your art?
I hope that people feel connected to the soul of the artwork they are seeing in front of them. I want them to feel taken in and have a positive moment in their own soul as a result of looking at my work. Just for a moment…let them escape.