Let's Meet Alexandra Swistak

I love supporting artists so I’m delighted to share Canadian artist Alexandra Swistak with you all.

Welcome Alexandra - Thank you for inviting me. I am so honored to be on your blog.

Please tell the readers a bit about yourself. I’m a contemporary fine artist currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia. I live with my husband, Peter and a young squirrel I rescued named Slasher. I grew up in British Columbia and I say British Columbia because my family was constantly moving. Interestingly enough, I am still moving more than I would like. The wonderful thing about living in different cities is that it sparked an early interest in travel. By my second year of university, I was already very well traveled throughout Europe, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East. I wanted to see as much art and architecture as possible.

Alexandra that’s wonderful being exposed to so many cultures and art! Did you study Art at University? I studied art and education at the University of Victoria. I knew I was going to be a professional painter, but my family convinced me to have a backup plan just in case things didn’t work out. I feel very fortunate for my parent’s guidance even though I didn’t need the backup plan. I also studied law for one year and business, which I am so thankful for because I am constantly using all these skills and knowledge. When I was in university, I realized I was an unusual thinker.

What artist has moved you most by their work? This is simply an impossible question for me. There are far too many renaissance, impressionist and abstract painters that I adore. If I was forced to name one, it may have to be Sofonisba Anguissola. Her portrait paintings are simply exquisite.

I’ve traveled throughout the Middle East, Asia and Europe. I lived and worked around the world, which filled me creatively. I’m still painting from those early ideas and experiences. I’m currently working on a new portrait collection that is part abstract and part realism. I’m really excited about it, but I am a bit behind schedule with it. I always work at least 2 seasons in advance, but life happens. So this new body of work is not as complete as I’d like, but I am slowly working on it and making progress. One of the reasons I’m behind is I chose to devote some time to finding new homes for bees that survived a massive flood in our province. In November, we saw a flood disaster unfold in areas of Abbotsford and Chilliwack that forced evacuations and highway closures. It has destroyed farms, pets, animals and bees. It’s heartbreaking and I am doing what I can to help.

I paint in oils on linen and wood panels. I also paint in gouache which is wonderful to work with because it is so quick drying. Gouache is ideal for creating studies of fleeting thoughts or moods. I enjoy this process immensely. Since the pandemic and supply shortages, I’ve also begun working with acrylics on canvas boards.

“ART IS REMOTE VIEWING.”

— Alexandra Swistak

Why do you paint what you do? I am fascinated with the female gaze and thus portraiture continues to be a very important part of my work. I also enjoy painting nudes, still lifes and landscapes.

I see some works including Whippets why? I lived in a gorgeous cottage in the UK and my neighbours had a lovely whippet named Nancy.

YOUNG WHIPPET IN LANCASHIRE

YOUNG WHIPPET IN NEW FOREST INTERIOR

I schedule small time frames to stay on top of paperwork; otherwise I walk into my studio and start painting. I’ve never experienced a creative block or felt I need to do something to get in the mood to create. I often lose track of time once I begin painting and I do go into long painting sessions. My problem has always been a lack of time and I’m always trying to find more time to paint and experiment.

You have a balance of creativity and hard-work to helm a successful business Alexandra. I’m not surprised you have always been able to work as an artist.

A first on Chaletmomma - the 10 people you’d invite to a dinner party. I love hearing the who and why!

Sofonisba Anguissola (c. 1532 – 16 November 1625) was an Italian Renaissance painter who bravely worked at a time when the profession was less than welcoming for women. I would enjoy dining beside her.
Leonardo da Vinci an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance gets an invite for his incredibly beautiful paintings and inventions. His flying machines would make fascinating dinner conversation.
Piero Della Francesca an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance known for his beautiful handling of textiles. He was also a brilliant mathematician and geometer. With Piero and Leonardo, the conversation could go anywhere.
Jacopo Pontormo an Italian portrait painter was highly skilled. I would enjoy a chat about how he developed as a Mannerist.
Egon Schiele an Austrian painter and protégé of Gustav Klimt. Schiele was a major figurative painter of the early 20th century. The raw sexuality of his portraits is fascinating. Plus he ended up in prison for a time, so perhaps he ticks the audacious box.
Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch Baroque Period painter who specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle class life. We could chat for hours about: Girl with Pearl Earring, Master Pieter van Ruijven, his wife and so much more.
Agatha Christie continues to entertain me with her mysteries, so she is an absolute must for a dinner companion.
Margaret Atwood a Canadian poet, novelist, teacher and inventor. She wrote the Handmaid’s Tale and as dark as it is, I have a few questions about that book.
Gary Corby, an Australian author of historical mysteries set in the world of Classical Greece. I’m very fond of his fictional characters; the detective/agent named Nicolaos and heroine, Diotima. These books are so beautifully written that no dinner party would be complete without Gary Corby and his Diotima.
Hatshepsut The fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt would be a fascinating dinner guest because she ruled as a male pharaoh.

**collaboration ANNOUNCEMENT WITH Sharon Nullmeyer**

Plans for 2022: This year is going to be extremely exciting because we are house hunting. In terms of work, I am in the process of finalizing contracts for a few key collaborative projects with amazingly talented and kind people. In a pre pandemic world, I would’ve said my focus is to continue making art accessible to people with an internet connection. The world has changed so much now that I worry about delivery services and internet interruptions for long periods of time. It has made me think about other markets and ways of making sure I can get my artwork in the hands of collectors.