Today we’d like to introduce you to Edyta Pachowicz.
Edyta, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I emigrated from Poland (father is French). When I was eight years old. My mom left me there with her sister and cousins when I was three…she sent Disney coloring books and from the moment I could hold a crayon, I was drawing faces. Once I was in the states with my mother who by now I haven’t seen in four years, life was tough so I stayed in my room, drawing, painting and creating things. Winning art contests in school. But fine art had to be put on hold when I left home at 16. I had a full-time job, was finishing high school and had my own apartment and all the stress of bills and life that adulthood brings but at 16. I decided I had to go to school, do something creative that would be lucrative and hopefully make room for art along the way. I started art school at 19 in Art Institute of Atlanta for computer animation and multimedia, still not painting and longing to make time for my passion. I was recruited by Coca cola from AIA and began a journey in graphic design. When you don’t have a place you have to be you can go anywhere you want.
So I met someone from Chicago and secured a job creating presentations for Edelman PR. I have been doing that same role for almost 20 years and once I moved to Los Angeles 14 years ago, my experience and actual joy of creativity opened up the opportunity to finally take art classes, finally I was on my way to being a “real artist”. But life has other plans for us at times, I was married, had a beautiful son and stayed at home for a couple of years to be with home a very tumultuous marriage. Though I was able to paint and improve my skills, I could no longer stay in my situation. So with a 2.5 years old in tow, very little money, I had to begin all over again. I had to paint and I had to get back on my feet. The first painting I did was a butterfly representing rebirth, it sold at a celebrity charity auction for $12,000 It took four more years of struggle and badass woman who is now a dear friend, giving me a chance to be in my field, in a job that again would open up time to paint…phew from there I was hired on with fox and came full circle to be with Disney. A gallery picked me up (Band of Vices) and some of my art has been posted in artillery magazine. I so grateful that people love my work. I use my creativity for many clients designing presentations and I finally am a (Real Artist).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The struggle is real..lol being a single mother out of the workforce for a while, it was so hard to get anyone to hire me. It was also a challenge to keep painting and be creative while trying to just handle life.
Please tell us more about your art.
I design presentations for VPs at Disney, fox and for many freelance clients. I use my fine art skills to go above and beyond visually. I truly love what I do. Both digitally and fine art. I think I am very lucky to have a passion for both. I am very proud of my relationships with clients and how much they love my work. That’s the best feeling ever! I have an interview process that helps us see a common vision in both fields, as a painter and a designer.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I love to give credit, there are too many to list. So mainly my 9th-grade teacher, he said no matter where life takes you…be an artist. Use your creativity and all be well. My friend, incredible, ambitious and strong Betty Tran, Chief Marketing Officer at Fevo, and single mother of three. Who gave me a break in LA. My incredible art gallery director/owner and dear friend, Terrell Tilford who pushed me to paint, paint, paint even when times were tough, he gave me my first art show in 2017. The art collectors who have my work. The numerous clients that hire me when they need to land big a deal or find investors.
Pricing:
- Prices for design are hourly $75
- Fine art prices start at $2000 and are handled through gallery inquiries, for commissions as well
Contact Info:
- Address: -Band Of Vices Art gallery 5376 West Adams Blvd. los Angeles CA, 90016
– 21 Design Studio-Mid Wilshire - Website: www.bandofVices.com & www.21design.studio.com
- Phone: 3108905042
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Art_By_Edyta
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