Artist statement
Faces intrigue me. I am fascinated by the portrait- the connection to the spirit of the represented figure both familiar and nameless. Painting faces is both a meditation and a fixation. The evolution of the character from my original vision to what appears on canvas always surprises me as the features are rendered- they morph on their own.
In addition to the portrait, I am drawn to culture, symbols and visual texture. Deep poppy red and prussian blue dominate my work along with a need to include areas of detail that allow your eye to feast on color, and ornamentation. My Ukrainian heritage influences my choice of subjects and motifs. I sway between impatient, energetic gestural works and methodical, deliberate explorations.
The process of painting for me is a meditation. The glide of pigment is very visceral and becomes an extension of me, in that moment. I paint what I appreciate to be beautiful, wistful and regal- I aim to translate this feeling to others.
about thea
Thea Szewczuk is a visual artist from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Thea paints in acrylic and oil paint across a variety of subjects, but prefers figurative energetic works in bold, vivid, expressive color.
In 2009, Thea received her Bachelor of Education Degree in Secondary Education with a Major in Visual Art and Minor in Spanish Language. Soon after, she began her career teaching fine art to high school students whilst balancing her own creative pursuits.Thea celebrates her Ukrainian heritage and appreciates culture, diversity, and language . Thea speaks four languages, Ukrainian, English, Spanish and French. Thea's curiosity is fueled by culture and diversity- what makes us who we are? What is identity? What objects, and symbols do we revere and why? What is beautiful? These are some of the threads explored across Thea's current works.
Thea lives and works in her home studio, along with her two young daughters and husband.