Meet Tetyana Aleksenko | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tetyana Aleksenko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tetyana, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
We all live stressful lives, and art is a totally different experience from our everyday reality where you paint your own world, relax, relieve stress and create whatever you want. That is exactly why I chose to be an artist – it was not about the outcome, but about enjoying the process, making something your own, and following your own rules and desires. At one point of my life, I realized that I wanted to work in a field that I enjoyed regardless of how much money I made from it. I am an artist because art brings me joy and satisfaction, and because I can share this joy and energy with other people, hoping to make a difference in their lives, as well.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an award-winning pastel artist, an instructor, and a President of the Pastel Society of Southeast Texas. I love painting portraits, flowers, seascapes, and animals. I feel that I achieve my goal as an artist when people tell me that they can smell my pine tree painting, or feel my seascape roaring, or when they want to touch my floral paintings and feel that they are there in the garden. I get inspired by nature, by its beauty, and try to show the viewer my interpretation of the world. When you start your own business, it is never easy. You will have your ups and downs, and you fill face the challenges. When I feel overwhelmed, I break my challenges in steps, and resolve them one step at the time. The lesson I learned along the way is that you have to believe in yourself and keep going. I have my goals, know my strong and weak points, and work hard trying to get better as an artist every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It would really depend on my friend’s interests, but I would take her to local art galleries and to the beach. I love fishing, so hopefully my best friend would like to join me on a fishing pier.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Nobody does it alone, and I am fortunate to have a tremendous support from my family, especially from my husband Aleksey. He is the one who works so much behind the scenes without getting any credit for his hard work – he sets up my tent for the festivals, frames with me late at night after work, and tells me that I can do it when I have another rejection on my submission to the art exhibition. I am also grateful for the support of my father, my children, our local art community, friends, and my teachers.

Website: https://www.taleksart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taleksart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Tetyana-Aleksenko/100087360253712/