Chloe Chlumecky (Q&A

A R T : C H L O E C H L U M E C K Y ( Q & A )

Chloe Chlumecky, Bathroom Sink, oil on canvas, 32 x 46 inches, 2020

Tell us a bit about yourself (Where are you from? Where do you live? When did you become interested in art? When did you decide to pursue art as a career?)

Hi! My name is Chloe Chlumecky, I am a 21-year-old art student from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I am currently working towards my Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Windsor where I am expected to graduate at the end of 2021. Ever since I was young I’ve been an artistic person, but I didn’t really start considering art as a career until mid-way through my BFA. I know that sounds weird, but I figured I would get my degree in arts and then use that and move on to something else that was a little more ‘stable’ . As the semesters went on, I realized I didn’t want to give up the art world once I graduated.

What is your earliest memory of creating art?

My earliest memory of creating art was when I was really young, maybe 5 or 6, and I would sit in my mom’s craft room and draw pictures on white printer paper. I hated colouring books, I only wanted to draw on blank paper. I remember drawing with one of my childhood friends, and she would always want to copy what I was doing. So eventually I started giving her little “tutorials” on how to draw what I was drawing, and it became a thing we did. I would teach her whatever I was doing, and we would come out with a duplicate of my drawing.

What themes or ideas are you exploring in your art practice?

In my current practice I am exploring a lot of themes based around domesticity. I am painting a lot of scenes from around my house, my spaces, still lives from objects I use everyday. I love to use the still life as a narrative! Objects can be so fun to paint and when you put the right things together they can create very interesting stories. Although I’ve been exploring these themes for years I definitely think the COVID lockdowns amplified and influenced it even more.

Chloe Chlumecky, The Pill, oil on masonite, 8 x 10 inches, 2021 What does it mean to you to be an artist in today’s world?

I think being an artist today is really about being authentic. You need to be your true self, no matter what you create or what themes you explore in your work. Be open, real, and original, and if you put the work in I truly think anyone can be successful!

What did you enjoy/are you enjoying the most and what did you find challenging about being an art student? I love the community of my school. I’ve met some really awesome people and professors that I definitely will keep in contact with after graduation. I love having friends who are also artists!

Chloe Chlumecky, Self-Portrait in My Bathroom, oil on canvas, 54 x 54 inches, 2021

The most challenging part for me was learning how to talk about my art. I have always been a very quiet person so having to defend myself in critiques was really hard. However challenging, this was also probably one of the most rewarding things I learned as an art student! I remember in first year I had a really bad critique where I was standing in front of the class and the professor was asking me questions I just didn’t know how to answer, and I was so mortified that I couldn’t even speak. Now that I’m in fourth year, I find it so much easier to explain my artwork in a way that’s authentic and true to my practice.

What are you looking forward to the most after graduating

Graduating is very bittersweet! I love the community and relationships I’ve made with my professors and fellow students. We all encourage each other in our own practices. I am excited about the possibilities of life after graduation. I used to be so anxious about post-graduation life, and I know it won’t be easy and I’ll have to deal with a lot of rejection, but I’m really excited about all the possibilities. I’d like to start selling some original work and prints, as well as opening up commissions, and I’d like to work with some of my local galleries. I’m also excited to travel and just have the freedom to pursue any opportunity I stumble upon!

Can you tell us about your forthcoming residency?

Yes! I am so excited that I will be an Artist-in-Residence at Chateau Orquevaux in Champagne-Ardenne, France! It is a two to four-week residency, and I will be there sometime in the summer of 2022. Chateau Orquevaux is located in the small village of Orquevaux, and the residency accommodates 15 artists at a time. The grounds are gorgeous and quiet, perfect for exploring and painting en plein air!

Chloe Chlumecky, Shelfie #1, oil on masonite, 9 x 12 inches, 2021

Chloe Chlumecky Website: www.chloechlumecky.com Instagram: @chlos.artportfolio