Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Kostecki.
Hi Anne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been painting/creating art since age 5 (like most people). I spent a lot of time drawing and coloring, and had a lot of interest in that, so my parents allowed me to sign up for art lessons at age 14. This really pushed me to practice and try new things. I really liked watercolor painting, so I invested in some good supplies and practiced a lot. I also experimented with graphite pencils, colored pencils, acrylic painting, and a bit of oil painting.
I built a portfolio during high school, and applied to a few art schools and art institutes. I ended up choosing Washington University in St. Louis because I have a lot of academic interests in addition to art, and wanted to pursue those. I majored in Communication Design and minored in English, but I also took a lot of other classes in music, psychology, writing, and science.
I love working, and have always had the desire to make my own career in the creative arts. After several years as a graphic designer, I decided to pivot to fine art, while also doing some occasional freelance design work. So, I started my LLC in December 2019, and have been doing that ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, I wouldn’t say it’s always been a smooth road. One of my toughest times was right after I graduated in 2010. It was soon after the financial crisis of 2008, when unemployment was high and job competition was fierce. My future husband moved to Baltimore, MD, for graduate school, and I wanted to have a job before I moved out there. I applied to hundreds of graphic design jobs, spending hours on my resume, portfolio, cover letters, recommendation letters, and various application forms. For almost a year, I juggled multiple short-term internships.
My first full-time job was a graphic design position at a sign shop, and I did not like it, but I worked there for 10 months while applying to other jobs. I was so happy to be hired by a local university, with more creative work and a more substantial salary with benefits. I studied for my MBA while I was working too. So, I was working full-time, a part-time graduate student, and still freelancing.
When I finally became a full-time freelancer and started my business in December 2019, I was ready to finally build my business…and then COVID hit. I was unable to network by participating in art fairs or gallery shows, and I had to cancel all of my teaching and networking engagements. If COVID taught me anything, it was how to maximize time at home. I made a record number of paintings in 2020, fully revamped my website and store, won my first art show awards, and signed my first contracts with wholesalers. There still are struggles, but they force me to adapt and push me to triumph over them.
It seems that after COVID, my commission work hasn’t been as present as it once was, but I’ve been able to participate in more art fairs and in-person events. I’ve expanded my product line to include stickers, temporary tattoos, and a lot more art prints for my collectors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I primarily work in watercolor when I paint. What I like about watercolor is the luminous quality of the paint on the surface. I like how it can be unpredictable how the paint and water will run or react to certain brushstrokes. As someone who likes being in control, it is a nice release for me to give up control and let the paint react.
I suppose I am more well-known for the realistic quality and level of detail in my work. Many people associate watercolor with loose or simple compositions, and mine rarely fit that mold. I tend to do many layers, with high contrasts in light/dark, and crisp lines. I like to spend a lot of time on my work, because it forces me to slow down and just enjoy the process.
As for acrylic painting, I am more loose with that medium and tend to make things with thick layers and texture. I paint with many colors on my brush and like to see what happens as I paint. I’m more willing to be surprised in acrylic, because you can always paint over your mistakes!
As for subject matter, I like to paint a lot of natural and landscape subjects, but with some subtle magical or surreal elements. I like to paint things that bring me joy, remind me of my imaginative younger self and what she would’ve liked to paint. I find that people are drawn to those subjects as well.
What’s next?
I have two projects I’d love to do: the first one I’ve started, and that is a series of watercolor paintings of iconic St. Louis landmarks. I started this in 2019 and am still working on it! I just finished the Fox Theatre and Tower Grove Park this year. I’m working on the Botanical Gardens next.
And, I’ve always wanted to do my own Tarot deck. At the very least, I would want to illustrate the Major Arcana. I think the symbolism is fascinating, and I want to see what kind of imagery I would do. I love seeing how other artists interpret the Tarot. I’ve had a million ideas regarding this, so I don’t know if I can sit down and finish it.
I am working on another series that I’ve haven’t quite figured out how to describe it, but hopefully I can put it together in a gallery show some day. And, I have my sights to apply for an art installation abroad at a music festival. I love music, especially from Finland, and it would be amazing to create an installation for this festival.
I also want to start embroidery. It just looks beautiful and fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annekostecki.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/@annekosteckidesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneKosteckiDesign/
- Twitter: @annekostecki
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@annekostecki
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@annekostecki
