Meet Claudia Kazachinsky | Artist

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

Hi Claudia, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been creative, playing with color pencils and paint from a very early age. I always knew I could only be happy if I was able to be creative and being an artist seemed a little risky so I found a way to do both, creativity and practicality.
Building a career, first as a set designer and then as an interior designer with my own firm where I could maintain creative and financial independence.
In 2021 I walked away from my design business to finally do what I always wanted, be a full time artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As I mentioned before I began painting and drawing from a very early age and even while working as a full time interior designer I never stopped painting. In the last ten years I began taking endless workshops to improve my skills . Every artist knows it is all about – “miles on the brush”.
Quick sketching on location has always been my forte but I wanted to get better at portraits and I have worked very hard at becoming a portrait painter.
My favorite medium is watercolor but I also love mix media art and finding new ways to express myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have been a Californian for many years and I love living in Los Angeles but one of my favorite things to do is travel to the central coast. I would travel north with my first stop being in Ojai where I would take my friend to visit The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. I discovered this place a few years ago and fell in love with her ceramics and her studio. While in Ojai I would also visit Bart’s Books, an iconic open air bookstore that I always visit when visiting Ojai.
For lunch I would visit Bonnie Lu’s Country Café , great place for comfort food.
After Ojai I would drive to Santa Barbara where we may stay a couple of nights since there is so much to see and so much to sketch.
I would visit the Santa Barbara Mission, walk on the pier, visit the Santa Barbara Art museum and definitely introduce my friend to the amazing architecture of Jeff Shelton. His private homes in Santa Barbara are works of art and it is easy to access their locations on Jeff’s website. I was fortunate to meet him in 2022 and get a tour of his studio.
As far as meals there are several places I like in Santa Barbara , for lunch I would suggest Sama Sama Kitchen and their amazing fusion of Southeast Asian cuisine. For dinner I would recommend Zaytoon, a wonderful very authentic Lebanese restaurant.
From Santa Barbara I would drive to Avila Beach and stay at Sycamore Springs where every room has its own outdoor hot tub and it is only two miles from the beach. This would be our relaxing time among the trees.
For dinner I would go to Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach and try to snag a table by the window at sunset. Hundreds of pelicans perch on the rocks around the restaurant and the view is amazing.
Our last stop would be Cambria where I always stay at Moonstone Beach. The board walk is three miles and it is a good way to begin the morning or watch the sunset.
I love strolling the east and west villages of Cambria and see its many art galleries and there is always something to sketch.
My favorite place to eat in Cambria is Linn’s, they are famous for their Olallieberry pies and muffins and the food is always delicious.
I think my friend would have an amazing time between the scenery, the art and the food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think the shoutout goes to my mother, Natinha Fish, who always encouraged me to do whatever made me happy. I wish she was still with us to see what I have achieved.

Website: www.claudiakazachinsky.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/claudia.kazachinsky.art

Facebook: Claudia E. Kazachinsky – Fine Art