Meet Denise Chasin | Artist

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

Hi Denise, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Balance can be challenging at all stages of life. For a long time the question was how to balance raising children, working, managing our small farm, staying fit and healthy and still feel like I was grounded and able to be present with life. I often wonder if I had a team of fairies that helped me through those years because, at this point, it seems impossible that I was able to do all of that!  Now balance is about making sure I do not get completely lost in my studio at the expense of other aspects of life. Anyone that is passionate about something knows what it is like when you throw two feet and your whole heart into something and do not want to come up for air. There is a flow that carries us and sometimes it is hard to step out of it. I can feel when I need to get out and hike and change my focus. Creating anything in life requires a lot more being and a little less doing. When we get caught in the doing we are not able to create as freely and see the “in-between”  spaces that often lead to our best ideas.  To stay balanced I find time for hiking, meeting up with friends and family, spending time with our horses and taking our dogs for walks. My husband and I go for a walk almost daily on the beach to unwind and untangle any cobwebs from being overly focused throughout the day. I think balance is different for each of us. I feel very fortunate  because for many people, balancing work and personal life means  “career” and personal time are separate. For me, my career and personal life are one and the same. To some this may sound “out of balance” but, for me it is my place of homeostasis.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I was a little girl, my happy place was drawing, collaging, painting. I loved creating with my hands and heart. As I grew up I was lucky to take art classes and go overseas to study art at a young age. I even got my degree in Fine Arts which my parents allowed as long as it was part of a liberal arts degree and that I knew I would need a “real” job when I graduated. After college I diligently entered the corporate world and went on to get my Masters in Business. My life has been full and abundant in many different ways that allowed me to pursue creativity in many forms. Fast forward a lifetime of children, breeding ponies, creating a school, running a non profit, and many other adventures, my husband and I moved to California six years ago. With this move I was able to revisit my early passion and reintroduce myself to Denise Joy Chasin the Artist. Stepping back into this world was the easiest thing I have ever done. Having the opportunity to once again create canvases full of color was like finding my way home. My art is deeply influenced by my love of the natural world, most recently by flowers. Painting the song of the flowers through color, line and shape gives me an opportunity to participate in their complexity. The energetic light and color reflect optimism and wonder at their ephemeral nature – their rich and yet fleeting existence brings inspiration. As a new year is quickly approaching I have been thinking about where I want to go with my painting.  The one aspect that remains constant is that my work is about joy and possibilities and constantly allowing yourself to evolve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anyone that comes to visit will be guaranteed lots of outdoor fun and adventure. One of the beauty’s of living in Santa Cruz is that you can inhale the forest in the morning and exhale the ocean in the evening. There would be a trip to Point Lobos State Reserve which is one of the most exhilarating spots in California. The cliffs hug Monterrey Bay and it is a common spot for scuba divers because the Bay is as deep as the Grand Canyon right off the shore of this Reserve. An afternoon would be spent in Forest of Nicene Marks where there are 100s of trails through the towering redwoods. It is a lesser known park in California which makes it even more spectacular to saunter through. Another favorite park is Pinnacles National Park which is a bit of a drive but well worth it. Pinnacles is very unique in its unusual rock formations and caves. All of these outings involve wildflower and mushroom hunting depending on the time of the year. There will always be evening strolls on the beach preferably at low tide and a possible drive to Lovers Point for sunrise. Food is always abundant. The local farmers markets are plentiful and will provide the ingredients for fresh and healthy meals at home and on the go. Santa Cruz has a rich artist community so we will visit a couple local galleries and go on a treasure hunt to find all the murals scattered around the city. I always make time for unwinding in our home with our dogs, cat and horses.

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?
Although I had many mentors, when I was younger it was my love of reading biographies that really influenced me to think out of the box. The two “big ones” in my life were Georgia O’Keefe and Beryl Markman. Oddly, it was not necessarily Georgia’s gorgeous and profound paintings but her courage and determination that struck me. Same with Beryl Markman who was a British aviation pioneer who lived in Africa and was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west. Both were bold examples of how to be feminine, successful, and courageous.  Grandma Moses is my new hero, having started her painting career at 78 and painted 1500 painting at the time she died at 101 This gives me such confidence and inspiration.   Lastly and most currently,  I would like to shout out to Lauren Mantecon, Contemporary Artist in New Mexico who has been my mentor for the past couple of years. She has created an open and safe environment, that has helped bring forward my individualized visual language, and assisted me in making my best work while developing my practice.

Website: www.denisejoychasinart.com

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