Meet Carly Chubak: Artist & Teacher

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

Hi Carly, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Sometimes it seems like I’ve already lived several lives. I published astrophysics research and was a piano accompanist. Then I was an test engineer working on space satellites. I decided to pursue an artistic career because I just never felt fulfilled, and decided I’d rather take the risk sooner rather than later. I didn’t want to wake up 30 years down the line filled with regrets. Ultimately I decided to quit my job as an engineer, took a summer to figure things out and ended up going to art school. With my scientific background guiding me, I was able to carefully create a life and career that lets me do the things I love and allows me to use my strengths to help others as well. And honestly, I still live several lives! I teach fiber arts at my alma mater, Art Center College of Design, alongside tutoring physics & calculus to high school students. I continue my personal art practice and work with a collective, Acceptable Risk LA (@acceptableriskla). I also create work for a boutique online store, A Softer Process (@asofterprocess). 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am primarily a fiber artist–meaning, a lot of my work is made from fabric and thread and yarn. This means I often get people telling me they want to touch it and squish it! So, I’ve begun created smaller pieces sold online that you can take home–our motto is “art you can hug–for the real art lover!”. This year I also decided to meld my love of antiques with my love of soft sculpture and create a series of articulated soft dolls based on vintage lithographic prints. I create the designs, print custom fabric, and then sew and assemble each doll. They definitely fall under the heading of creepy-cute, but I’ve been so excited to share them with the world and ship them off every time I get a new purchase. This new series has been my proudest moment: they truly just make me happy, and I’m so glad that others find them as fun as I do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I was born and raised in LA, so I have some very strong opinions (AKA I’ve been going to the same restaurants since I was born). Definitely need to get some dim sum at Golden Dragon in Chinatown and then walk around the shops. Walk around the Huntington Gardens, get coffee at Copa Vida in Pasadena while over there. Check out the shops on York Blvd in Highland Park, get coffee at A-Bloc or Kumquat. Head to Little Tokyo, get sushi at Sushi Go 55. Wander Vermont & Hillhurst in Los Feliz to get some tchotchkes and get coffee at Maru. Perhaps a little coffee centric, I’ll stop now– I’m afraid I’m blowing up all my favorite spots….

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thanks to my dad, who answered the phone when I called him crying in the parking lot of my last “real job” and told me the world wouldn’t end if I quit, and that he knew I would figure things out. That was the final support I needed to take the leap and do my own thing.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/asofterprocess
Instagram: @whatcarlysees
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlychubak/
Other: www.carlychubak.com

Image Credits
Carly Chubak