Interview

Dec 27

Chelsea Tikotsky

Chelsea Tikotsky is an abstract artist. Born in 1985, Chelsea's love for art started at a young age growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her parent’s recognition and encouragement of this passion is what led her to pursue her creative and artistic side. She graduated from California State University, San Francisco (SFSU) with a B.A. in Studio Art with an emphasis in painting. During her University years, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy at the California State University of Florence and the Accademia di Belle Arti. It was a unique experience that enabled her to travel and explore a variety of art and culture throughout Europe. Chelsea's medium of choice is oil but she also experiments with watercolors. She finds herself captivated by nature’s magical moments and channels this inspiration into the free-flowing expression of her abstract art. Through the diverse strokes of her painter's knife and brush, along with a rich interplay of textures and colors, her work embodies a sense of fluidity and motion. Chelsea also draws inspiration from the nostalgic moments in life, striving to infuse her art with the positivity.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“From a young age, I was encouraged to explore my creative side. My parents, recognizing my passion for art, enrolled me in various classes, helping me hone my skills and nurture my love for creativity. This early encouragement set the foundation for my artistic path. I pursued a B.A. in Studio Art with an emphasis in painting at California State University, San Francisco (SFSU). One of the most transformative experiences during this time was studying abroad in Florence, Italy. While there, I attended the California State University of Florence and the prestigious Accademia di Belle Arti. Immersing myself in the rich art and culture of Europe broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of artistic traditions. The opportunity to travel and engage with diverse artistic expressions shaped my style and continues to influence my work today. After completing my degree, I took a step back from art, feeling a bit disillusioned and uncertain about my path. For a time, I focused on other areas of my life, putting my creative pursuits on hold. However, in 2012-2013, my passion for art was reignited. Something clicked, and I realized how much I missed creating and expressing myself through painting. This was a turning point - I decided to fully embrace my creative calling and pursue art as a professional artist. Since then, I’ve poured my heart into building a career that reflects my love for nature, emotion, and life’s magical moments. My work is a celebration of beauty, hope, and the extraordinary magic of everyday life, designed to bring a sense of peace and wonder into the spaces it inhabits.”

What inspires you?

“I find inspiration in the magical moments that nature and life so effortlessly offer. It’s in the way a sunset glitters off the water, transforming everything it touches - grass, trees, and foliage - into a vibrant, dark, and almost fluorescent display of color. It’s in the simple joys, like watching my dog’s pure happiness as she chases after a ball, her face lighting up with excitement. I’m also deeply moved by connections and shared experiences, like taking walks with friends, hiking through serene landscapes, or camping under a sky full of stars. Those nights, when you look up and see shooting stars, remind me of life’s vastness and beauty. But what also inspires me is how resilient both nature and people are. Too often, we miss these magical moments, dismissing them as fleeting or ordinary. We forget that magic exists all around us, in every season, every interaction, every new dawn. Nature, like us, finds a way to thrive, and in that resilience, there’s an undeniable magic - a reminder that hope, beauty, and wonder are always present, even when we don’t see them.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My work explores themes of nature, resilience, and the fleeting beauty found in everyday moments. I focus on capturing those magical instances that many of us often overlook - like how sunlight sparkles on water, or the joy of being with a loved one, whether human or animal. The underlying message I aim to convey is that magic exists all around us, even in life’s struggles. I believe nature’s resilience mirrors our own, and through my art, I hope to inspire viewers to pause and embrace the beauty that’s always present, reminding them that there is always something worth celebrating, no matter the circumstances. Just like with storms - while they are beautiful, majestic, strong, and tumultuous - there’s always hope on the horizon, a clearing that will come. It may take time to get there, but just as nature always finds a way through, we too can find that light and peace after the storm.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work blends abstract expressionism with a focus on nature’s beauty and resilience. I paint primarily with a palette knife, as I feel it allows me to add more movement and dynamic energy to my paintings than a brush does. The palette knife gives me freedom and a sense of flow, which I can’t achieve with a brush. I love using vibrant colors that are found in nature but that we often don’t see in their full intensity. I want to reveal the richness and depth that nature holds, even in the smallest details. Texture plays a significant role in my work as well. I use thick layers of paint to create a sense of movement and dimension. When you’re up close, the texture gives the painting one appearance, but as you step back, it transforms into something entirely different. I love that my paintings reveal new nuances and perspectives from various distances, making them paintings within paintings. Each time you look at a piece, there’s always something new to discover, which keeps the experience fresh and dynamic. All of my paintings, regardless of how dark they may seem, carry an underlying message of hope, serenity, and positivity. I truly believe that optimism and peace are more essential than ever in our world, and I strive to convey that through my work. Even in the most tumultuous moments in nature or life, there is always light on the horizon - a reminder that hope, positivity, and tranquility are never out of reach.”

Which artists influence you most?

“The artists who have influenced me the most are Renoir and Monet, as I have a deep appreciation for the entire Impressionist period. The use of color in their work, especially the way it evokes joy and emotion, truly resonates with me. I love how, when you get up close to their paintings, you see an intricate, almost abstract collection of colors and brushstrokes, but when you step back, the image suddenly comes together as a complete scene. Both Renoir and Monet excel at creating layers of color and texture that shift perception, making their paintings dynamic and full of life. This technique - where the viewer’s perspective alters the visual experience - is something I incorporate into my own art. The delicate, romantic qualities of Impressionist paintings, along with their dynamic textures and movement, speak to me on a personal level. There’s a sense of energy and life in those works that mirrors the beauty and vibrancy I aim to capture in my own paintings. The movement in the brushwork and the focus on capturing fleeting moments of light and atmosphere also inspire my process and approach. Their ability to capture the essence of a moment through layered colors and textures, shifting and changing depending on where you stand, influences how I approach my own artwork.”

“My work blends abstract expressionism with a focus on nature’s beauty and resilience.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process is an evolving journey. I often paint from memory or a feeling, like when I go running down by the bay at sunset. The colors and light can be so inspiring, and when I return home, I try to capture that exact moment on canvas. Other times, I work from photos or images I find that resonate with a sense of vibrancy, romance, and positivity - anything that sparks creativity in me. I don’t always have a clear plan when I begin; I tend to paint intuitively. Sometimes I have an idea, but as I progress, the painting takes on its own life and changes, often becoming something more beautiful and perfect in its own way than I originally envisioned. I like to start by painting the canvas black or with another base color. Occasionally, I’ll use acrylics to build some texture before layering on oil paints. But other times, I dive straight in with oil paints, layering the colors and textures as I go. I prefer not to let my oil paints dry too quickly; I like them to stay wet and pliable. This gives me more time to blend the colors seamlessly. For example, when painting a landscape, I focus on getting the sky just right before allowing it to dry, so I can blend the hues and create a sense of movement. If the paint dries too much, it becomes harder to blend the colors in a way that feels fluid and natural. It’s a process of constant evolution, as I layer and adjust, always aiming to evoke an emotional response that resonates with positivity, serenity, and hope.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“An artist’s role in society is to share their unique perspective and interpretation of the world, offering a visual representation of their experiences, emotions, and insights. Through their work, artists invite viewers into their personal worlds, creating spaces for reflection, connection, and growth. Art is an expression of the artist’s truth, and in sharing this with the world, it opens the door for others to see the world through a different lens - one that may be more colorful, emotional, or even challenging than their own. In addition to expressing individuality, artists remind society of the importance of slowing down and noticing the beauty and magic around them. Their role is to encourage others to pause and take a moment to reflect on what truly matters. Whether it’s through abstract expression, vivid landscapes, or intimate portraits, the artist’s work often serves as a conduit for introspection, self-awareness, and broader societal change. The act of sharing art connects people with creativity, offering not just an aesthetic experience but a deeper understanding of human emotion and collective experience. As society evolves, so too does the artist’s role. Artists continue to adapt to new technologies and media, expanding how they reach and influence audiences. This constant evolution reflects the changing dynamics of culture, but the core purpose remains: to share their interpretation of the world in ways that inspire, provoke thought, and ultimately contribute to the ongoing conversation about who we are, what we value, and how we connect with one another.”