Check Out Stacy Elaine Dacheux’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Elaine Dacheux.

Hi Stacy Elaine, 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?
In 2001, I met a teacher named Ken Mikolowski. He and his wife Ann co-founded The Alternative Press back in 1969, publishing the likes of Allen Ginsberg and Ray Johnson, among others. I loved how Ken spoke with such genuine tenderness about his wife’s artwork, their creative partnership, and their overall surrounding community. You got a sense that their energy was something magnetic. In my 20s, I found this all so inspirational . . . aspirational. It shifted my thinking about how artists live in society and how I wanted to live.

Today, I work as a painter, illustrator, writer, and mother. I license my art for tv & film with Jennifer Dehghan’s Circudo, exhibit regularly with Soft Core in LA, and take on a variety of individual commissions. Previously, I’ve co-hosted short film nights with Shauna McGarry and many creative gatherings with Kate Purdy.

I’m constantly humbled by the emotional support of my husband and friends.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s very challenging to keep making work as I get older, especially right now: during a pandemic while raising a toddler, in a state where the housing crisis seems insurmountable and natural disasters always have a presence. There is a maternal desire to build a steadiness for my family that competes with my other natural inclination to live an artist’s life, which is more airy and unpredictable.

One thing that makes me feel better is walking with a friend who also tends a creative practice. They might shine a light on details I underestimate or share wisdom from their own experience, giving my situation more perspective.

Another thing that helps is driving up the coast and camping with my family. In those moments, I’m free of society’s idea of what life should be like. Instead, I am more present– just exploring the wild with my husband and son. It’s important to enjoy nature: to be off the grid and with the ones you love.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like this quote by Claes Oldenburg — “To say that one is a social artist could mean, as it does in my case, that an artist is responsive to events or forms of events around him. He isn’t making a statement about the events but reflecting them in his form and color. This happens for me without pre-conception.”

Though I don’t consider myself a pop artist, I do like the idea of a “social artist” or engaging in an art practice that deeply emphasizes relationships and reflection. How story functions in our lives, objects, and art itself is what I am always digging at in my work— tender spots of care where we can connect.

In a lot of ways, I don’t think I see myself as being apart from others, but more so, softly woven into them.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
In 2020, I read about how Van Halen immigrated to California when they were kids. During lockdown, for something to do, I jogged by their childhood home in Pasadena — it’s tiny, not much larger than mine. When Eddie died, I found posts on Nextdoor about epic parties they played around town. The house I once jogged by quickly became a memorial– with pictures and notes placed lovingly in front.

What interests me about Eddie Van Halen is this: he loved playing an instrument so much so– he couldn’t help but innovate its sound. His kind of success is sheer sweat coupled with enthusiastic curiosity. My dad grew up poor and he liked telling us this story about building a new car from two junk ones because he simply needed to get from point A to B. This is essentially what Eddie did with the guitar, and in doing so, his career as an artist. I find all of this so romantic and hopeful.

On a similar note, I recently listened to Patti Smith discuss motherhood. She took several years away from work to care for her children but still wrote for herself– a little bit each morning before the kids woke up. These creative sessions were not immediately lucrative; but they did function as a bridge to her next big project.

This all resonates with me right now– how art sometimes lives on a bootstrap in a 600 square foot house, burning the midnight oil– how art wakes you up at 5 am before living a day that is not entirely your own. The importance of practice.

Creative acts are done not with a promise of one day being successful.

Creative acts are always successful simply because they are occurring – moving your craft forward – despite life’s obstacles.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.stacyelaine.com
• Instagram: @stacyelainedacheux
• Twitter: @StacyDacheux

Image Credits:
Profile photo by Allan McLeod