Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Kucharczyk
Hi Anita, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland, where I graduated with two Master’s degrees – one in Painting (2015) and another in Media Art (2016). Since then, I have been working with motion graphics/animation and traditional oil painting. In late 2019, I moved to Los Angeles and began working as an Art Director at The Experiential Company (TEC). Through this role and support of Dylan Roscover, Founder and Technical Director at TEC, I gained extensive experience working in both digital and analog mediums, often finding ways to bridge these two worlds.
As an immigrant, it took time to build friendships and establish a network in the US. In 2021, I joined Tiger Strikes Asteroid LA, a nonprofit art collective, which gave me a sense of belonging and opportunities to grow both as an artist and curator. We regularly invite talented artists to our space and create unique exhibitions.
Recently, I relocated to the Hi-Desert area in search of more space and serenity. Currently, I split my time between the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles. Each location has its own dynamics and distinctive energy. Commuting between these two areas helps me maintain a balanced lifestyle.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been quite a journey. A few months after I moved to the US, Covid hit, and like everyone else, I found myself in lockdown, far away from my family. During this time, I desperately tried to connect with artists and art galleries to continue my practice and stay engaged with the creative community. Despite facing numerous rejections and being ignored, I persevered.
The turning point came when Carl Baratta, a co-director of TSALA, responded to my email and invited me to a pop-up art opening to meet fellow artists. This opportunity opened doors for me to participate in various art events, forge new friendships, and eventually become a member of TSALA.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many remarkable artists, curators, and gallery owners, and I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with them. My work has been featured in two solo exhibitions in Los Angeles—”Colorbox” at Gallery Pado (2022) and “Breathing Room” at Gallery ALSO (2023)—as well as numerous group shows around the world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work with light, exploring it through different mediums and approaches. Moving to Southern California from Poland transformed my perspective on light. The atmosphere here is unique, and the quality of light seems unlike anywhere else in the world. While I primarily work with oil paints, I also experiment with objects and installations, using mirrors and forms covered with reflective materials such as copper flakes. Additionally, I incorporate my aesthetic sensibilities into my digital projects.
My work is project-based, meaning I start with an idea or field I want to explore and then select the most suitable medium to express it. Sometimes this manifests as a series of oil paintings, other times as an animated movie or a giant egg sculpture placed in the heart of Joshua Tree National Park. The key is to maintain my own interest, learn something new with each project, and resist self-judgment—leaving that to the audience instead.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
People often ask me if I use airbrush for my gradients – I don’t. Depending on the painting, some pieces have a strong sense of human gesture, while others conceal it well. Looking closely, though, you can always tell that a paintbrush was involved. It took me a while to accept that none of the paintings would be perfect. I learned to appreciate this when I realized it’s what makes them unique – I can never recreate the exact same gradient, even if I try. Each one is always slightly different from the others.
When I have an idea, I let it simmer in my mind, think it through, and if it persists, I write it down or sketch it on paper. Recently, I’ve started using an iPad for color concepts – it’s very convenient, especially when colored pencils or paints aren’t within reach.
Finally, I tend to overwork my pieces, and sometimes (especially with oil paintings) I need to stop myself from endlessly correcting the work and learn to accept and appreciate the human element. To limit the time spent on a particular project, I set myself deadlines. This helps me stay on track and know when to stop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anitakucharczyk.com/; https://tec.design/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anita_kucharczyk/
Image Credits
Profile picture by Dylan Roscover, Artwork pictures: courtesy of the artist
