Artistic expression and inspiration are as individual as each person is unique. The work of our cover artist, Piekarczyk, is often inspired by the celebrations and happenings of the unique people she has
intimate knowledge of: her family and friends.

Even her pseudonym, “Piekarczyk,” is drawn from family inspiration. “It’s pronounced “pah-car check,” she politely explains, as I struggle with several very weird and very wrong pronunciations. The artist paints under that pseudonym as homage to her mother, whose maiden name was Piekarczyk, a common name in the former Czechoslovakia. She proudly mentions that her mother immigrated to the United States with her family in the 1930s, and served in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE during World War II. “My mother still gets a kick out of seeing her maiden name on my finished paintings. She says it’s a wonderful way to keep the old name alive.”

It has been said that Piekarczyk’s works are reminiscent of the Fauvist style of the early 20th century, because of her use of bold colors and expressive strokes. However, her work is arguably infused with a deeper humanity than those of the Fauvist masters. Piekarczyk’s choice of subject matter and the situations she portrays lend a more personal feeling to her work than perhaps earlier Fauvists were able or willing to portray. One of her better-known pieces, “Celebration”—viewable at www.piekarczyk.com—is a prime example. “I like to appeal to the universal emotions, mostly the happy times in life,” Piekarczyk says. She feels that the situations that make her smile or trigger strong emotions and memories are likely to be the same types of situations that others can relate to, as in “Celebration.” “That was me celebrating my first commercial sale with a professional gallery. But it could easily be anyone’s achievement in their personal or professional life.”

Throughout her professional life, this northshore resident of 27 years has created and managed several successful businesses, many with her husband. Piekarczyk was an artist in school before marrying and starting their family. However, the responsibilities of raising a family first and running a business second left little time to paint. “To paint would have been a luxury,” Piekarczyk recalls, “but as the children got older, I found myself with more free time. Then, about three or four years ago, I went into an art store, picked up some paints and supplies, went home, and started to paint. My husband was on a trip, and when he got home, he was very excited to see my painting. I think he gets a kick out of the attention I get [from my work] … it gives him something social to talk to his customers about! He really is my strongest supporter and encouraged me to pursue art professionally.”

Piekarczyk says she studies art whenever she travels and invariably picks up techniques or notices influences she’d like to emulate in her own style. A recent trip to Australia exposed her to the native Aboriginal art that is abundant there. Piekarczyk says she’s even picked up some tips from her nephew, Ashton Howard, a noted surrealist painter in California. “I’m like a big giant sponge! I just seem to soak up other people’s work! Nobody paints in a vacuum; you’ve always got some influence from many other artists. I’ll see something I like in other people’s work and try it on my canvas, but in the way I paint, which is very Fauvist and very colorful. I see these things in my head and I just incorporate them in my style, and that’s how I learn.”

Practically any situation or gathering of family and friends is subject to immortalization on Piekarczyk’s canvases. The delightfully tacky sweater of a guest at a Christmas dinner party begat a painting that recalls the fun all those at the party enjoyed, especially the playful, good-natured ribbing the guest received over the sweater. Another painting captures the personalities of one of Piekarczyk’s daughters and her two best friends. Even our cover painting, “Two Sisters,” has a family connection and pays tribute to her two favorite sisters. “I won’t say which two of my three sisters they are,” Piekarczyk giggles. It also acknowledges the relationship her two daughters share as sisters. “I try to project in ‘Two Sisters’ the emotions that sisters can share, those of hope and promise, caring, protection, love and quiet understanding.”

The study of all human relationships fascinates Piekarczyk. She says, “The way humans interact with each other is appealing to me. I always want to paint people and their relationships toward one another. It’s usually depicting people’s relationships as friends, lovers or family. What I try to capture isn’t so much the people, but their feelings, whether they try to hide them or not.”

Thus far, it has been a very satisfying and successful career for Piekarczyk. She has representation in several states, including Louisiana, Florida and California, including a publishing deal to offer Giclee-finished reproductions, which will provide more opportunities to share her good feelings with others. “My artwork brings a great deal of fun and happiness to me personally. I take great pleasure when I meet someone who really appreciates my work. It’s a way to invite people to take a moment to recall a happy memory of their own.”

Piekarczyk’s work is available locally at Arabella Fine Gifts and at Galleria Bella on Royal St. in New Orleans. Her paintings are also viewable on line at www.Piekarczyk.com. She is available for commissions and installations. Contact Donna Flanagan at 892-0727.