Victoria Tkaczevski

How would you describe your background?

Two of my grandparents were professional musicians, one was a cartoonist, and mom was a ballet teacher, so the arts were always part of my life growing up. I was never discouraged from choosing a career in art. I majored in painting at Hartford Art School, which is part of the University of Hartford in CT. After that I worked for many years as a graphic designer and illustrator.

I was a member of the Cambridge Artists Coop when I lived near Cambridge, and a member of Sharon Arts in Peterborough before that gallery closed. I went into the nursing field in 2006, and that greatly opened up my world and influenced my art. Now I’ve come back around to devoting most of my time to art, and I find I’ve become much more patient with my artwork and have the luxury of choosing what to spend time creating. It’s a huge blessing I can share with others. I am a member of the new Blue Fern Cooperative Gallery in Peterborough, the Nashua Area Artists’ Assocation where I’m also on the board of directors, and the Monadnock Area Artists Association.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Many people who are potential artists choose not to develop their talent. For me, from a young age I was always encouraged to develop my art, by my parents and teachers. I enjoyed it so much, I knew when I chose it as my major in college that I would be happy devoting myself to art.

What would surprise people to learn about you?

I self-published two albums’ worth of songs in the early 2000s, one under my former name Victoria Arico and one under Tell Your Daughters. Titles include “The Best Cubicle She Ever Had” and “Everybody Come to Dinner.” Same mix of abstraction and story-telling that is found in my paintings, I think!

How would you describe your art to someone who has never seen it?

My art is for the person who likes a surprise, an unusual perspective, an intriguing color palette, and a bit of whimsy. My recent work could be described as cozy realism. A compelling theme for me is hope and the optimism it brings. Viewers say things such as, “I would like to be there,” or “It looks like a world within a world.”

What achievements in the area of art are you proudest of?

My art communicates my intention better now than it used to, and it’s getting better all the time.

How would you describe your art process?

The best time of the day for ideas is when I first wake up, before I even open my eyes. I take notes on those ideas. Sometimes they are compositions, sometimes just a combination of colors. When I’m ready to start something new, usually something from that list will particularly spark my interest. I rarely “see” what the finished product is going to be but I get better results when I sketch out the composition. Sometimes I use the computer to decide how the elements will fit on the media. I do an underpainting, usually in a warm tone, and sketch or paint the main elements, and then paint in layers. I often share the work with other artists or friends along the way, especially if I am unsure about something. There are often periods of intentionally not looking at it for a few days. The best part of the process is when someone sees it and loves it; we both discover that it was theirs all the time!

What is your usual studio/working day like?

If there is anything on my to-do list other than painting, I do it first, because once I start doing art, I lose track of time and don’t want to stop for anything.

What is the most delightful part of your life outside of work?

Outside of my work making paintings, I work a couple shifts a week as a night nurse in an assisted living facility for elderly people. That brings me as much joy as art does. I also find delight in garden surprises: when plants I forgot about appear or thrive or pop up somewhere I didn’t put them.