Meet Katerina Husar Lazarova | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katerina Husar Lazarova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katerina, what role has risk played in your life or career?

As an artist, I view risk-taking as an essential part of my creative process and personal growth. Throughout my career, I have taken several risks that have shaped my artistic journey and contributed to my development as an artist. During my life in the Czech Republic, I left my 15-year-long career as a graphic designer, opened a studio, and started my first business as a private painting and drawing teacher. This business flourished for three years, during which I helped many students overcome their doubts about their creative abilities. My practice as a teacher was stable, and it did not occur to me that I should take more risks. But life had other plans for me. My husband was offered a job in the US, and we had to decide whether we take a new journey from the stability of my life in the Czech Republic to the uncertainties of starting anew in the US.

Leaving behind my dream job and studio in the Czech Republic was not easy, and adjusting to life in America was more challenging than I would ever imagine; suddenly, I was so far from family and friends and with minimal English skills. However, I persevered, enrolling in English classes, and later pursuing higher education at Mesa College and UCSD. Each step I uttered was a commitment to growth and adaptation. When I look back, I believe that saying yes to this opportunity was the right choice for my future.
During my studies, I departed from my previous work, took a risk in terms of artistic experimentation, and started to create paintings inspired by automatic drawing. This spontaneous art-making process, where conscious control is suppressed, has allowed me to tap into my unconscious mind and develop a unique artistic voice.

Today, as I navigate through my early artistic career, I realize that taking risks will always be an integral part of my life because the creative field is inherently risky. As an artist, I will face uncertainty and rejection. However, I believe that taking risks can truly help me grow and is essential for gaining exposure and recognition. Whether submitting work to galleries, applying for grants, or participating in exhibitions, artists must be willing to put themselves out there and take chances. While rejection is a possibility, it’s also an opportunity to learn and improve. Even though I sometimes doubt my steps and decisions and wonder if it wouldn’t be easier to take a safer path, at the end of the day, I know that all this is helping me to build resilience and adaptability. Every bold step to the unknown has been a step towards a brighter future, and I’m excited to see where my next risk will take me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I grew up in the Czech Republic, where I studied graphic design and art therapy. I explored different styles, from detailed acrylic and oil paintings of flowers to depictions of girl’s faces. After I moved to the US in 2018, I started to attend San Diego Mesa College. In 2021, I completed my studies with an Associate of Arts degree. In 2021, I transferred to UCSD as an undergraduate student in Studio Arts. During my studies, I tried to get more into the art scene in San Diego, where I, for instance, participated in Art Walks in Little Italy or Liberty Station, and also in Laguna Beach. In 2023, I graduated from UCSD. I got a studio in the Arts District Liberty Station the same year. I’m also a board member of The San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild.

As an artist, I am deeply committed to exploring the depths of human experience and the connections that bind us all together. My art is a reflection of my personal journey and the transformative power of creativity. I use a combination of acrylic and ink to create vibrant and expressive paintings that delve into themes of identity, belonging, and the human psyche.

My artistic process is deeply intuitive and spontaneous. I begin by creating layers of color with acrylic paint, allowing my emotions and thoughts to guide my brush strokes. Once the background is complete, I use ink to add intricate details and symbols representing my inner world. This process allows me to tap into my subconscious and create visually striking and emotionally resonant art.
I started this new series of paintings during the pandemic when I spent most of my time at home. My connection to the outside world became only occasional. This solitude created a stronger bond with my inner world. My daily experience was mostly limited to the images inside my head. When I finally rejoined the outside world and engaged with social life, these images were suppressed and slowly vanished.

This internal link became so important that the reconnection with the outside world and the endeavor to escape from solitude soon turned into an effort to experience this internal liaison again. Whenever I had the opportunity, I sat down with my sketchbook. I allowed my hands to walk freely on the paper, hoping that, in this way, I would be able to reunite with my inner self.

These automatic drawings became the basis for my paintings. In this spontaneous process of art-making, conscious control is suppressed, and the images become letters from my unconscious mind that I can read when finished. These letters don’t have clear messages, but they have a secret that forces me to return to the completed paintings and read them repeatedly.

An essential part of my work are colors. This interest stems from the study of art therapy with its examination of colors as the essence of mood and their influence on the human psyche. By carefully selecting and layering colors in my paintings, I aim to create a visual experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Then, the viewer’s emotional response can become a complex carrier of subliminal information.

My interest in creating art is rooted in my relentless search for answers within myself. Such answers are hidden behind the upper layer of everyday life experiences, and my paintings are mainly based on personal narratives. This search for reasons why things happen to me and how my thought structures are reflected in these situations shape my work. Often repeated themes are the female experience of perception of the world and the influence of expectations on a woman from her surroundings.

For example, my artwork Delicate deals with my position as a woman in society and nature in general, with the roles that a woman takes not only as a bearer of life but also as an individual entity. I see this painting as a message from a part of my being that is influenced not only by biological aspects but also by the circumstances and people in my life, as well as by expectations from my vicinity. Thinking about this painting and its symbolism helps me understand how all these circumstances create a flawless complex in the present time. Still, as the waving lines of the picture suggest, this part is never static but fluent and opens new experiences.

Another example of my recent work is Golden Cage, a painting that reflects on the themes of freedom and confinement. The painting’s vibrant use of blue, green, yellow, and red colors blurs the boundaries between captivity and liberation. The image features a majestic bird in a gilded cage, symbolizing the human condition where comfort and security can sometimes lead to complacency, which makes us yearn for something more. The painting’s use of color and light creates a sense of movement and energy as if the bird is on the verge of breaking free from its constraints. The distant horizon, with its promise of adventure and possibility, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of pursuing one’s dreams and aspirations, even in the face of adversity. In the end, the Golden Cage is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring quest for freedom and self-determination.

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’m based in San Diego, and I would definitely start with a visit to Liberty Station, a former naval training center turned cultural hub. You can explore the vibrant artist community here and visit studios during the First Friday of the month event. For lunch, we could enjoy a meal at the Liberty Public Market, sampling local vendors’ offerings. Another place worth exploring is Old Town, the birthplace of California, the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California with its historic buildings and fantastic ice cream. We would also visit the Heritage Park in the afternoon to see Victorian architecture houses.
The next day, we would spend time at Balboa Park, visiting its 16 museums, botanical building, Japanese garden, Rose Garden, and Desert Garden. Next to the park is also the San Diego Zoo, home to over 3,500 animals.
I would recommend going for dinner at the Gaslamp Quarter, a historic district known for its vibrant nightlife.

What can’t be missed is the Coronado Hotel, where “Some Like It Hot” was filmed.

At the end of our trip, I would kiss and say goodbye to my visitors in Baja Beach Café, my favorite bar in Pacific Beach.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to dedicate my shoutout to the Liberty Station Arts District, where my studio is located. This vibrant community of artists, galleries, and creative spaces has been a great support of my artistic journey. The Liberty Station Arts District provides a supportive environment for artists to thrive, fostering collaboration and innovation. The district’s commitment to promoting the arts and culture has been invaluable to me. I’m grateful for the opportunities and inspiration that Liberty Station Arts District has provided, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of this dynamic community. Then, I would like to highlight Daisy, my dearest cat, who serves as an extraordinary boss and artistic collaborator. Daisy’s unwavering support, guidance, and a keen eye for detail have undoubtedly played a significant role in my artistic journey. Her unique contributions, from waking me up every morning with gentle taps and purrs, urging me to start the day with creativity, and even posing as a model, have been invaluable. Daisy truly deserves recognition and credit for her role in my story.

Website: www.lazarova.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artkaterinalazarova/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katerina-husar-lazarova-24b88553/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Art_Katuli

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katuliart