The Amazing art of the artist Hanna Wojczuk

A tin of pencils rests on a shelf. Spring is approaching and timid rays of sunlight peek through the gaps in the curtains that cover the windows. On the table, a small wooden lamp is prepared to illuminate a blank cardboard, which will later become a piece of art.

The curtains are flung open by an anxious and hurried hand. One of the windows lets in the last winds that winter leaves, the table lights up and with it the hand of an artist takes that can of pencils, to blow up all her art and provide us with a space of calm when contemplating her work .

Hanna Wojczuk Polish artist who is dedicated to drawing architecture in the midst of landscapes full of nature; She gave us an interesting interview where she shared with us her beginnings in the world of art and what she seeks to convey in her pieces of art.

Since what age did you start with your art?

 

In childhood, drawing with crayons was my favorite fun, spontaneous and joyful. It was a wonderful and carefree period of creation, which I will liken to first love. I already knew then that I would become a painter. However, I did not foresee that my road to art would be exceptionally long and bumpy.

The communist schools I attended were friendly to gifted children. In high school, I signed up for additional art classes.

The courses were conducted by a famous Polish painter and talented teacher - Krystyna Palusińska. The course program lasted four years and included drawing and painting workshops, open-air workshops, art history lectures, and visits to museums. The grades were entered in the certificate. Each year of study ended with a vernissage of students' works.

Such a course provided knowledge but did not provide professional qualifications.

My father did not agree to my further education in art studies and recommended choosing a different course, guaranteeing a permanent job and good earnings. It was an open secret that the communists indoctrinated authors and required them to cooperate with totalitarian propaganda. The art market was censored. Painters without a certificate of the authorities were condemned to ostracism. They were not allowed to exhibit the paintings in galleries or officially sell them. Even the purchase of artistic paints was impossible, because they were rationed. The change of course of study did not worry me too much, because I thought that I could always paint for fun.

I studied literature at the University of Silesia, which ensured me a job as an editor in a large publishing house. 

My situation changed when communism collapsed. Normality has returned to Poland. Private galleries, independent art dealers and free artists' associations appeared. Everyone had the right to paint pictures, publish them on the Internet, participate in exhibitions and sell their works.

Thanks to these changes, I was able to leave the Polish philology profession learned during my studies. I set up my own oil painting studio. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I was 35 at the time.

 

 

What is your biggest inspiration when it comes to drawing and painting?

I am inspired by the relationship between architecture and nature - I draw old buildings surrounded by trees and gardens. I am looking for places that, apart from beauty, have a soul and character. I draw modest country churches and huts that are friendly to people and radiate good energy. Capturing and conveying the atmosphere of such places - this is the greatest artistic challenge for me.

 

How do you define your art?

I am undoubtedly a naive artist. My works are like illustrations to old fairy tales: sentimental and a bit sweet but that's what my art is. It is far from realism. It does have a pinch of poetry and fantasy - I hope it's in good taste.

Church in Betzec / Hanna Wojczuk

We know that the theme of your drawings revolves around architecture surrounded by vegetation. How were your beginnings in this theme?

It began with a fascination with the beauty of the Bieszczady Mountains on the border of Poland and Ukraine. I fell in love with this place and the culture of local highlanders. I visited their villages and sketching folk architecture. Then, based on these drawings, I painted a series of oil paintings. This work gave me a lot of joy and satisfaction. I realized that this was "my topic" and I have come back to it often since then.

Today I only draw, but I still visit the Bieszczady Mountains in time and I always find new inspiration there.

 

Your style is very easy to identify because it bears your personal stamp. The line in your drawings and the softness that makes us feel; it immediately catches the viewer's eye. How did you discover your style?

I try to draw with my heart, which means that I put all my energy and soul into my work. 

Sketching gives me great pleasure and by drawing with a pencil I move to the places I portray.

I can feel their energy. Of course, I have some technical skills, but I don't put knowledge above my feelings. I just draw - and what comes out comes out. I am like a shipwrecked man in an ocean of art - I wave my pencil and the waves carry me wherever they want.

 

What do you consider has been your greatest challenge in the world of art?

I want my art to be honest and communicative, and its message understandable to all generations - including the youngest. Therefore, as an Artist, I want to understand the changes brought about by modern civilization.

Church in Chotylub / Hanna Wojczuk

Which one (s) are your favorite artists and why?

I love impressionists for their passion for art, beautiful colors and joy of life. August Renoir, Claude Monet and Isaac Levitan are my favorite creators.

I admire sketches of Polish painters from the 19th century - Artur Grottger and Jan Matejko.

My artistic guru is the Russian landscape painter Ivan Shishkin. He is a master of the pencil, perfectly working with lines and chiaroscuro. And the work that I especially appreciate and to which I keep coming back - is his work and "On the forest boundary line" from 1878.

This is a miniature artwork that depicts a woman walking down a path among the sprawling trees and flowering meadows. The sun seems to be visible, illuminating every twig and every blade of grass.

 

We Are new exhibition projects approaching this year?

Yes - after a long break caused by an epidemic, I will have a solo exhibition at the Municipal Public Library, probably in October.

You studied at Uniwersytet Slaski in Katowice city. What advice would you give to art students, who are very close to finishing their art degree?

 

I studied literature at the University of Silesia and was among young poets, prose writers and future critics of their works. I admit that some of my colleagues are now highly valued for their work - and I am surprised that I used to sit on a bench next to such coryphaeus.

The University of Silesia also has art faculties - in the beautiful city of Cieszyn, where the Habsburgs once lived. Currently, you can study graphics, art education in the field of fine arts, and game and virtual space design.

The only thing I want to advise students of these Faculties is: enjoy your youth, friendship, art and science, because the most beautiful period in your life will soon end. And when they give you a diploma, sing with the whole voice: "We are the champions"!

Rural Church in Kotów / Hanna Wojczuk

Sunny Afternoon / Hanna Wojczuk