Chelsea Tikotsky: Appreciating the Magic
Chelsea Tikotsky is an abstract artist whose work captures the fluid beauty of nature and the nostalgia of life’s fleeting moments. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she discovered her passion for art early on, a love nurtured by her parents' encouragement. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art with an emphasis in painting from San Francisco State University, further enriching her artistic perspective through studies in Florence, Italy. Working primarily with oil paint, Chelsea embraces texture, color, and movement, using painter’s knives and brushes to create dynamic compositions. Inspired by nature’s quiet wonder and personal reflection, she infuses her paintings with a sense of serenity, hope, and discovery.
How did your creative journey begin?
My creative journey began in childhood—I’ve always been artistic, and my parents were incredibly supportive of that. They encouraged me to explore art in every way possible, signing me up for drawing classes and even pottery, which I took with my dad when I was little. During the summer we almost always went camping in Yosemite. My parents would sign me up for day art classes like plein air painting, watercolors, or drawing. Those moments surrounded by nature really instilled a deep appreciation for the beauty of the world and the joy of capturing it through art.
When I got to college, I continued to explore by diving into a variety of mediums. I took classes in watercolor, oil painting, photography, lithography, textiles, and ceramics, all to discover what truly resonated with me. A defining moment came when I studied abroad at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, for a year. Being immersed in such a rich artistic culture ignited my love and passion for painting in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
Today, I primarily paint in oils because I love the depth and vibrancy they bring to my work. Sometimes, I use acrylics to add texture before layering on oils, and I still enjoy dabbling in watercolors. Each medium and experience, from childhood summers in Yosemite to my time in Florence, has shaped my artistic voice. But painting, especially in oils, is where I feel most at home creatively.
The interplay of tranquility and vibrancy is a hallmark of your art. How do you use color theory to evoke these feelings in your audience?
When it comes to color, I’m drawn to capturing what many might not initially think of as ‘real’ colors in nature. Early in my journey, I hesitated to paint vivid, almost surreal tones, thinking they didn’t exist in reality. But as I began studying sunsets and other natural scenes more closely, I realized those colors do exist—they’re just fleeting and require us to slow down and really notice them. That’s something I aim to evoke with my art: encouraging people to pause, notice, and appreciate the magic in the world around them.
My marathon training played a big role in shaping how I see and use color. When I was running, I wore Goodr sunglasses with different colored lenses, and each lens transformed how I saw the world. One day, I noticed how the colors of a sunset became more vivid or took on different tones depending on the lens I was wearing. When I removed the sunglasses, I saw the same scene in its natural light, and comparing the two perspectives made me more aware of how dynamic and alive color really is in nature. That experience taught me to stop, take a beat, and truly notice the colors in my surroundings.
That awareness carries over into my art. I mix paint intuitively, adjusting tones until the colors feel just right. Sometimes the palette shifts entirely as I work, responding to the mood I’m trying to create. My goal is to capture the energy of a moment—whether it’s the vibrant, electric hues of a sunset, the serene tones of a river, or the exuberant colors in a flower. I want my work to feel alive, emotive, and uplifting, with a balance of tranquility and vibrancy.
Ultimately, my art is about capturing those magical moments in nature and life. Reminding people of nature’s ability to inspire and uplift. Each sunset, flower, or river is unique, constantly changing, and filled with colors that most people might miss. Through my paintings, I hope to invite viewers into those moments, to slow down and see the world in a way that’s both calming and energizing.
How has your work evolved over the last few years?
My work has always had a sense of movement and texture, but over the last few years, I’ve really leaned into that more. I’ve been playing with texture in new ways, layering it to create more depth and intrigue in my paintings. I’ve also started exploring botanicals, which are so similar to my landscapes in some ways but completely different in others. There’s this overall jubilant, positive vibe in my botanical paintings that has been so fun to capture.
Another big change has been experimenting with scale. I’ve always admired artists who paint large pieces, and I’ve slowly started pushing myself to work bigger and bigger. It’s been exciting to use larger palette knives and even combine knives with brushes, trying out new techniques to create texture and movement. It’s been a gradual process, but I feel like I’m letting myself go beyond my usual boundaries and exploring new ideas and approaches in my work.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
A typical day in the studio starts with finding inspiration. If I don’t already have a solid idea of what I want to paint, I’ll go through a catalog of saved images—like sunsets or florals—to spark creativity. Once I feel inspired, I either start a new painting or prep canvases by priming, wiring, or deciding whether to paint the edges black or match them to the artwork.
My process has changed over the years. I used to always start by adding acrylic texture to the canvas, scratching into it for crinkly effects, and using neon colors. Now, I focus more on building depth and texture directly with oil paints. My inspiration has also shifted since my knee surgery; I used to paint based on feelings or scenes from runs, but now I rely more on photos I’ve taken during walks to guide my work.
One thing that hasn’t changed is my approach to timing. I like to get to a certain point in a painting before stopping for the day, especially since I prefer to work while the paint is still wet so I can blend colors. If I know I won’t be back in the studio the next day, I make sure key areas are completed before moving on.
I’ve also started filming progression videos for social media, sharing behind-the-scenes snippets to connect with collectors and give them a glimpse of my process.
Your art encourages viewers to pause and reflect. How do you hope your work resonates with those who view it, and what do you hope they take away?
I hope my artwork reminds people that magic truly exists—in nature, in life, and in the small, fleeting moments we often overlook. It’s everywhere: in sunsets, in watching your puppy play, in a walk with friends, in being with your children, or even in that first sip of coffee in the morning. These little moments of magic may be brief or lasting, but they’re always there if we take the time to notice.
We’re so wrapped up in our busy lives—technology, work, social commitments—that we rarely slow down. My hope is that my art encourages people to pause, reflect, and truly live in the moment. I want it to inspire them to connect with those magical moments, appreciate them, and carry those feelings with them.
My landscapes and sunsets may be very emotive sometimes, but there’s always a silver lining—an uplifting quality to them. My botanicals are vibrant and romantic, bursting with life and color. At the heart of it all, my art is about living fully, appreciating the beauty around us, and striving for kindness and connection in a world that moves too quickly.
How has social media impacted your work?
Social media has had a significant impact on my work in so many ways. It’s made it so much easier to promote and share my art with a wider audience. I can now film myself painting, take pictures of my work, and share behind-the-scenes moments with thousands of viewers instantly. That accessibility has not only helped me showcase my art but also connect with collectors, art lovers, and other artists from around the world in ways that wouldn’t have been possible before.
One of the things I really appreciate is how social media allows me to share the process behind my work. When you visit a gallery or museum, you only see the finished piece. But through videos and photos, I can show the journey—from the first strokes to the final details—which I think helps people connect with and appreciate the art on a deeper level.
It’s also been an incredible resource for learning about opportunities like galleries, art shows, and fairs that might have been harder to discover otherwise. I’ve been able to collaborate with other artists, exchange critiques, and build relationships in ways that have been incredibly enriching for my practice.
Of course, with so much content out there, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. It’s important to carve out your own space, stay true to your personal brand, and share not just what you create but why you create it. That’s what I focus on—making meaningful connections and staying authentic to my journey as an artist.
Your connection to nature is central to your art. Can you share a specific natural scene or memory that inspired one of your paintings?
One vivid and pivotal moment that deeply influenced my art happened during a run by the bay. This was in the early days of my marathon training, and I had just come off a perfect run, feeling like I was floating on air. It was one of those rare runs where everything clicked. As the sun was setting, the water shimmered with vibrant colors, and the foliage around me was just as alive with color. I had on my Godard sunglasses, and at one point, I took them off for a brief moment, and when I put them back on, I was struck by how much the lenses changed the landscape. The colors became more vivid and vibrant, and I realized how deeply the view reflected my own emotions and feelings. It was an elating moment, and I felt inspired to capture that sensation on canvas. This memory became a key inspiration for my Violet Impressions series, especially the painting Illuminate. That painting, with its soft sunset glow and ethereal quality, reflects the joy and bliss I felt in that moment. Nature has always been central to my life and my art. I grew up camping in Yosemite, surrounded by trees and water, and I’ve always felt more at home in nature than anywhere else. My long runs gave me the time to truly connect with the natural world around me, reminding me of how important it is to pause and appreciate the magic in life. This experience, along with my connection to nature, continues to influence my work today.
Published on February 20, 2025