Chuka Susan Chesney (BFA 83 Illustration)
Describe your current project, creative practice or career path.
1. Fine art and illustration for literary magazines
What have been the greatest rewards and challenges you’ve encountered on your current path?
2. Challenges: Lots and lots of rejections! Rewards: getting into over 200 exhibitions in SoCal and around the country. Being asked by Laura Madeline Wiseman to illustrate the award-winning book “People Like Cats”. Now we are collaborating on a poetry book about Marilyn Monroe only this time, we are writing the poems together. Winning 3rd prize at The California Open 2016 at Tag Gallery. Selling my drawings and paintings. Being invited to be a Hive Gallery artist. Getting my art and poems published in several literary magazines.
What advice would you give a fellow ArtCenter alum considering a similar path?
3. You’d better have another job or some other source of money while you are getting started.
What are some of your most reliable sources of creative inspiration?
4. Photo books, the Pasadena area (for plein aire), my family members, the supernatural (heaven, Jesus, angels.)
What artist or designer has had the greatest impact on you?
5. Frank Lloyd Wright - I become very inspired after I visit Taliesin West. Also Henri Matisse.
What book, film or work of art or design brings you the most joy?
6. I am also a published poet. “Claudine in Paris”, a novel by Colette, brings me the most joy.
What is a memorable piece of advice you’ve received in your career?
7. Mark Strickland, a teacher at Art Center, used to tell me to slow down and really look. I use that advice in my writing, too.
Describe a pivotal challenge or decision you’ve made in your career or creative practice?
8. In order to keep my energy up for creating work, I eat a healthy diet and exercise.
What do you like to do when you’re not working or creating?
9. I go to a lot of art shows and art groups. It is really important to network. I never knew before that connections with people really help to achieve goals such as getting into galleries. Plus it is so rewarding to make friends with other artists and writers.
What’s your favorite analogue object in your space?
10. I love my book stand that holds up photo books. I have a book with a photograph of Marilyn by Bert Sterns. I have painted that photograph at least 80 times in all different styles and moods.
What’s the role of an artist or designer in the 21st century?
11. My role in the 21st century is to not be cowed by what is going on around me, but to tell the truth. What am I feeling, thinking, sensing in response to what is going on around me? I will not be influenced by trends and styles. I will do my style.
What’s your most vivid or valuable memory from ArtCenter?
12. I loved the light and the views - the high ceilings, the big windows, and what about that walk from the parking lot, carrying big, awkward things under each arm plus my little water bucket? Wow, I had a lot more energy then.
http://peacockjournal.com/chuka-susan-chesney-poems-paintings/
https://inklettemagazine.com/2017/02/20/marilyns-pose/
https://claudiusspeaks.com/2017/03/18/cake-at-the-wake-chuka-susan-chesney/