S1 E3 - FRANZISKA BARCZYK - INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

[00:00:00] Welcome to Creative Clarity. I'm your host, Jada Dana. Each conversation is designed to guide, uplift, and inspire as we explore creative flow, mindfulness, and breathwork, discovering what unfolds along the way. Today we welcome visual artist and illustrator,

Uh, yeah. Hi, my name is Franziska. I am an illustrator and a visual artist based out of Toronto. I work with major publications on many editorial themes. And for my visual arts practice, I'm an abstract figurative painter. I like using bold colors. I, um, work out of a studio in Toronto. I'm interested in many things, including the role of chance.

Dance, interconnection, serendipity, just to name a few things. Just throwing [00:01:00] out a few things. So what does a typical day in the life of Francisca look like when you are not working on your art? Yeah, I wake up. I usually have like a bunch of coffees. I don't actually ever have a day when I'm not working on my art.

Like, it can be as little as taking very quick notes on something, you know, that I saw, that I'm inspired by. I go see a lot of art. See what other artists are doing. I have a lot of conversations with other artists and then just like regular life, taking classes, dance class, yoga, you know, running gym.

Pretty regular, but like I have never really separated myself from, you know, art, not being part of life. Like somehow it always comes back. When I was on a vacation recently, it was like the first time I didn't bring a sketchbook, but I was still like taking photos in my brain that I want to remember for later.[00:02:00] 

And your artistic beginnings. So what was one of your first memorable? experiences with art and how did it lead you to pursue it more professionally? I wasn't given a sketchbook being told, okay, I need to draw. It was very There was, there's snippets sort of sprinkled throughout my childhood that I can remember or where I found an interest in art.

I grew up in South Germany and my father was a historian so we spent a lot of time going to see Baroque churches and really being involved in that culture. My mom's Hungarian so we would spend a lot of summers in Hungary and Budapest and it was a big city so there was a lot of opportunities to see bigger museums.

I have a twin sister. So one of the earliest memories I've been told was that me and my sister were drawing on the walls of the house. And my older sister, [00:03:00] she would, you know, draw once in a while, so I would be super inspired by her. When I realized that I wanted to do it, Professionally, like, okay, you go through high school and then you kind of get more introduced to the art world through that university after.

And then you don't really realize that there is a market for art, like that there is a business behind art. It's not until I got to OCAD, OCAD University, when I realized that there is actually, you can make a living doing art. from art. The first, after I graduated in 2008, like the first 10 years, it was very much like no one really looked at my work.

Like it took a lot of effort and like a lot of like group shows to be seen, but it wasn't until the point where I was like, I think I took myself seriously as an artist, which was only like in 10 years ago or maybe last 8 years ago, where I was like, okay, [00:04:00] I have to say no to a lot of things and yes to art.

You kind of don't choose it, you, it kind of always chooses you in a way, like you kind of always, have to do it. And if you don't, your, I don't know, maybe your soul or like, I don't know, some part of you feels like it's missing. Like I had a full time job for a while where I wasn't doing as much art and I really felt like I was never fully myself doing that.

You know, the agency world and became a freelancer. That's when art really started to expand within my life. There's almost like you're, you stayed open to. Art into your art and letting it in. Intuitive aspect to it, but also like this communication, like this internal drive. To want to go forward, to have this ambition.

And because I had my sister, my [00:05:00] twin, who was also creating art, like there was always kind of like this reflection of seeing her move on and then almost like, you know, Well, if she can do it, you know, I can also, uh, take on this path. You have to believe in yourself and you have to have this, like, a vision of myself where it was like, okay, I need, I want to get there.

But now I have new goals, you know, now I have a new vision. So it's like a constant catching up to your own habits, catching up to your own Visions. And I wonder what those new visions are. It's top secret. They're changing. I mean, we all go through phases, but like, yeah. Yeah. I didn't realize you had a twin and she also works in art.

Yeah, she does. Yes. She's also an illustrator. Very, we have very similar paths, but, uh. So interesting. Different, different person. And we have very parallel paths. Mm. Mm. Mm. And have you ever worked with her? We can't work together. Like, [00:06:00] that's the thing. Like we've tried to work together, but there's something about working with her where we have this like resistance.

I don't know. Like, it's better for us to like, not like we live, we don't even live in the same city. She lives in Montreal and, uh, uh, it would be amazing if we would live in the same city. But I think like this whole idea of like working together, I don't know what happens. It's a clash. It's like, yeah, it's okay.

You're meant to be connected as sisters. We're meant to be connected separately. Connected separately. And I think she would, she would agree to that. She would agree to that too. So inspiration. Can you name some of the artists or creatives that inspire you, or you admire, or have inspired your work? It's definitely like, there's a lot of phases in terms of what I'm inspired by.

So, It's very difficult to like name. I will mention like Hilma E. F. [00:07:00] Clint. Uh, she's an artist. I discovered her in 2017, 2018. And she was an artist who, who's like very metaphysical, and not, like, I wasn't so much inspired by her. Like, she does this whole, like, channeling thing, which is a little bit too far for me, but I love this idea of, like, finding truth.

And for her, this was really important. I mean, this idea of, like, being connected to nature and finding truth in nature. Another artist that I can mention for sure is Marcel Duchamp. And there's interest in chance. And for me, like, this idea of the role of chance has been like a huge theme in my work that I want to explore, like this idea of serendipity and when you make choices, that energy has to go somewhere.

And where does that energy live? Miriam Kahn is a great example as well. She does these like ghosts, spirits, there's something about her work that I find very like introspective and just interesting. Cy Twombly, Barbara Kruger, like, [00:08:00] Nathaniel Mary Quinn, uh, he's a collage artist, but I would say anywhere between, like, surrealism, metaphysical, like, social commentary, it's all, for me, it's very inspirational.

And what about Some of the other artists that you've worked with in collaboration with or work for, do you ensure that you have, you draw a level of inspiration from them as well before you work with them or? Uh, do you mean when I collaborated with like clients or? Do you just? Oh, for sure. I did work with Herman Miller on a collage project.

For me that was like major highlight of my career. It was something where I could, you know, dive into the archives and definitely like, you know, sort of like mentors. There's so many like, like working with a gallery is very [00:09:00] inspirational. If you're represented by a gallery or even involved in a gallery show, there's this idea of a body of a work.

Inspiration and relationship is all the same. Like, being an artist is about, you know, you find good relationships because it's both sided. You can't want something more than the other person wants to work with you. Like, It's the same as in a relationship. It has to be very like, natural and equal. It has to fit.

It has to be in alignment. What about outside of art? Do you have any hobbies or passions that, you know, play a significant role in your life as well? Yeah, I would say movies, film, dancing. For me, dancing has been like a major source. There's like another type of language. and the language is movement. Um, another one is just conversation, like talking to people, listening to their stories, interesting things you can get from, [00:10:00] from people.

What your typical day, start to the day. is like, especially before you start working, before you start producing and creating art, whether or not you have any rituals or any routines that you like to, to do and practice as well that help you get in, into the mood. I mean, like having coffee, sometimes I just clean up, like organizing, organizing the desk, sketch, like going to a coffee shop, having a coffee and reading the news, actually.

What's going on with the world, Miss, uh, Friends? Well, I guess I wouldn't do that in the morning, but I'm just catching up, like, 6am. I could, yeah, it's kind of crazy to, like, catch up with all of your friends, but, like, I check in with my sister usually in the mornings as well. Like, we do, like, a quick call, and So then you get your kind of, you know [00:11:00] Non art related rituals in, clear your mind, clear your space, do your sister debriefing, and then you get into your workflow.

So what does, you know, being in the zone look, feel like? How can you describe it? You know, being in a creative flow state when you're in it so, so deeply connected with your art as you're producing and creating it. If I'm working on a commission, the looming deadline, you know, is a fast way to get into the flow because you kind of just have to break through and keep on working until you find out, until you figure out the visual solution for it.

If I'm not working on a commission, I'm trying to get into the flow. Like I often just think about like, Like, don't think about the outcome. And that's a good way for me to kind of center myself if I'm like, okay, like, I'm working on this now, like, think about it in the now, don't don't think about the [00:12:00] outcome, just, and also this question, like, do I like it?

Like, and if I don't like it, why would somebody else like it? It's this idea of like, working towards, like, me being okay with it, me liking it. And it's almost like you. You're, you wake up all of a sudden and you're like, oh shit, like, what happened? You know, this idea of being lost, but very much in control.

I, I feel like the timelessness thing, it happens, it feels like hours go by, but I think usually it's just minutes. that I experienced a closed state. Are there any mindful practices that play a role and take part in your creating? Like mindfulness, like meditation, visualization, even breathwork, yoga. Just, you know, when you connect mindfulness with creating in order to Yeah, I mean, sometimes, you know, you have to take a break, kind of reconnect, and because you're not finding what you're looking for, so there is an [00:13:00] aspect of mindfulness where you're like, okay, center yourself, like, go for a walk, or you do yoga, you come back to it, and hopefully, you know, you, you, you see your work with fresh eyes again.

Yeah, yeah, just stepping away from it, mindfulness techniques, I think, are, yeah, just remembering that process is important, not to think about the outcome, oh, staying off the internet, for example, trading time, cutting out time for yourself, um, so you know, okay, I'm not going to check my phone for the next hour and a half or two hours.

Letting go of distractions and being aware of letting go of distractions is super important to find flow in, yeah, being present. Being present is key. It is a fleeting moment. It's a, you know, for some people, a [00:14:00] moment they even protect because it can be so sensitive to. Things going on outside of you, and so they, they really make sure that the space is super distraction free, so they can really enter more deeply into their flow state.

And some others might find it a lot easier to get into that flow state, it doesn't matter what distractions are going on, they can connect with it. That's definitely another topic, because it's interesting to see like, well, is that truly flow state? If the distractions are happening, what would that person feel like if they, We're in a space where there weren't any but there's noise all the time.

Mm hmm. The idea of no distraction is almost impossible You're in a float tank or even there your mind is even there. I've done it once I've done it once and I was And then all of a sudden the hour comes up and you're like, Oh my goodness. Exactly. And your ear plugs like [00:15:00] keep falling out. Like my ear plugs kept falling out in the water.

It was like, Oh, this is so distracting. Yeah, it's very interesting how flow state is defined by each person. How distractions are defined by each person. While you are creating, are you ever aware of your breathing? Are you ever like, Oh, I'm breathing calm or Oh my goodness. Yes. I felt stressed while creating this project for this client and I stopped breathing.

Do you ever have those moments or? Yeah, I actually don't ever think about breathing. I should think more about breathing. Um, when I, yeah, definitely when I'm working on a deadline, I'm pretty sure I'm holding my breath throughout the entire time. But, um, just because it's so intense, um, to have a turnaround, like, if I have a quick turnaround, like, let's say eight hours, you know, I feel like I'm holding my breath.

Uh, I've definitely had those moments where, I guess maybe sighing? When I do breathe, I do [00:16:00] produce better work because I can really be present. I haven't thought about breathing actually. It's funny. It's like, it's like breathing is a new concept for me. You know, it's like, it's like, I like when you said when I breathe, I produce better work.

Yes. Yes. Your body is alive. Yeah. My body is alive. So we'll go into reflecting on your childhood. Were there any pivotal moments that ignited your passion for art? Childhood, uh, I mean going to museums and, you know, seeing great pieces of art was definitely igniting moments. Once I chose to do art, it was very much like, you know, it was reinforced.

It was a good rain for positive reinforcement, but It was like a constant, [00:17:00] do you do your life, you know, childhood and then there will be just small inspirations everywhere. I was able to pick up on it and it's very hard for me to think of like one specific moment where I'm like, okay, even when you do try to be an artist, like it's not clear path, like it's not a linear path.

So it's not like, okay, I decided to be an artist when I was a child and I got this inspiration and now I have this tool. No, at first I have to like figure out school and university and work. And I worked for almost like eight to 10 years as a graphic designer and art director. And it just reenters your life again.

And I mentioned it earlier that it was more of a decision of. I had to believe in it, like I had to believe in myself to be an artist, and I had to work and I had to cut things out of my life and say no, and [00:18:00] so that was more, like, igniting moments. But art has always been a part of my life, like even as a child, so it was always around, so maybe that is, maybe that is the ignition.

And then it just ignited what was already there. Within you to bring it out. Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Now we move into our guided breathwork, followed by a recap of the experience.

Let's talk about how you, how that was for you, like, you know, how did it feel? Did any visions come through? Any new thoughts? Any I think because we were talking a lot about, like, process, you know, and the conversation before, I thought a lot about your questions, like one, which there was like two questions about childhood.

And I was always like, well, there's nothing, all children are creative. Right. And for me, it was never like this ignition of creativity. I thought a lot about that. And I'm like, I really [00:19:00] could can't pinpoint it. For some reason I kept going back there because I feel like for me, the creative part of my life, like obviously children are creative, but like, for me, the creative part of my life was like, I spent some time like, You know, working in New York for an illustrator.

And then, and when I was living in Berlin, I also was a studio assistant to an illustrator. And now that I think about it, those are my creative ignitions where I saw professional artists working and I saw my sister working and it was really those people that ignited this creative drive and this wanting to be.

an artist. So I also did feel like I was in the moment and the only way through the, through the holding breath, I had to really listen to you in terms of like enjoying the moment, because I think if you weren't saying those things, like really enjoy this moment, appreciate where you are. And [00:20:00] like, it really got me into a more positive space because I think if I wouldn't have had that, it's just kind of like, Kind of freaking out.

Like, oh my God. Yeah. And it's this idea of like, you can change your thoughts and make it work for you. You can change your thoughts. And this is like, you're here, enjoy this now. Did you feel a, uh, a reset in your energy? Yes, yes, yes. I felt a reset. I felt like sometimes a little stress is actually good because you need to start your day and now I feel so calm.

I'm like, I'll start soon. Also to sort of understand calmness because it, it mirrors it like stress and calm or chaos and clarity, you know, without. The other, it helps bring a definition to the other one. For sure. Yeah. So when you've experienced your stress state and then all of a sudden you feel calm, you realize, Oh, I'm calm.

Let's enjoy that. [00:21:00] Yeah. Especially like when you feel nervous and then you go through the breathing session, like it can put you in a completely different state or any, any sort of like, yeah. So it's very helpful. in terms of bringing you, um, into the now and yeah, calming yourself. Did you experience any sense of timelessness or effortlessness during the exercise?

I think maybe because I know maybe the camera is a bit of a, like a boundary. I'd be curious to, you know, try, try out the breathing exercises again, like without a camera. For me, I think there was a little bit of a block to really enter. the timelessness state. Maybe that's something to overcome as well, but because it was my first try, like my first time in doing the breathing work, the breath work, I think it would be something I personally would have to overcome to know [00:22:00] that there's a recording happening.

So for me, it was a bit of a, for me, it was a bit of a boundary too. Yeah. So you're connected to that. Yeah. Yeah. So removing that block distraction may help you enter into the Yeah, but I mean, somebody who's maybe done it before, like, or somebody who's, has more training, perhaps it's not a a block for them, right?

It's just personal. Well, I feel like we'll have one coming up at arterial soon. So you can always come to that one in person. I will for sure. This was really great. How do the experiences that you experienced during the breathwork, those senses of Um, being very present and connected to the moment compared to the types of presence and flow state that you experience while you're creating.

In a flow, in a flow state, when you're creating your, there's a conversation happening. [00:23:00] Even though you are in a flow, there's still a conversation happening. It's a lot of conversation, which is about both resistance and momentum. Like you're always fighting the two. Because resistance is in a way where you can never be somebody else.

So like, let's say you always, you want to try blue, but you're really into red. Like that's who you are. Even if you try blue, like you'll still go back to red. So there's this conversation of resistance that's happening that will always bring you back to yourself, but then also at the same time, there's this.

When I'm in a flow state, there is a clear sense of momentum, like I feel like things are moving forward and things are lining up and there's a very easy momentum. And that's like a really nice feeling, right, which leads to the timelessness feeling. I think with when you're specifically lying down to meditate or doing breath work, you're making a conscious choice to like, like not think, right, this idea of like, be aware of your thoughts, but don't hold [00:24:00] on to your thoughts.

Thanks. Be aware that you don't need to hold on to your thoughts. The thought, this thought doesn't define you. And I think that's where I found a major difference. Whereas like your thoughts define you very much when you're working because it helps you through the process and building momentum. But specifically doing like this breathwork is like almost like just be a body.

And I think that was a major difference between creative flow versus like a meditation, breathing flow. Can you please speak to your connection with creative flow and how you use it in your creating and in your art. Yeah. Uh, so for me, dancing has been a major source of inspiration poses and the body in a way of finding interconnection, like this idea of like that we're all interconnected with each other.

I try to show the flow state through like, yeah, body poses. And I try to envision like what [00:25:00] the dimension looks like, like where, where does it live? Like, where does flow live? Uh, if it could have a dimension, what would the flow state look like? So maybe it's shapes, colors. For me, it's always been like, sort of like dance poses or figures that are very, like, they're just enjoying themselves.

Like there's this idea of ease. There's this idea of like possibilities. Uh, yeah, just to me, it means. Are you intellectually trying to understand and visualize what flow state looks like and then translate that into your work? Or are you genuinely trying to go into a place, say you're meditating and you're seeing all these visions come through and then you're like, Oh, that's the flow state.

Or is it coming through while you're working in the middle of like a four hour stretch of work? And then you're like, Oh, this is the flow. draw it out. Yeah, it's through working, it's through sketchbook, like a [00:26:00] lot of sketchbook drawings. And then when you start, like once I start it, when I go through my sketches, it's something I want to communicate.

And for me, the flow state has a lot to do also with this idea of interconnection and just the idea of chance and serendipity. So it all goes hand in hand. And the dancing, you mean like you actually physically dancing or you? No, no, no. Just, just like, yeah, just portraying the dance in my art. Yeah. I try to, because when I think when I spent so much time, like doing dancing, but like, you know, modern dance, ballet and salsa.

And like, when I dance, I always have this feeling of freedom. Like I feel very free. So I try to like, remember what that feels like and then bring it back. into the paintings. How about creative blocks? You know, most people go through them. I'm sure you have in the past. Have you experienced them? And when you do, what sort of things do you do to get out of it?

Move [00:27:00] past it? Sketching. It's a big thing in, in terms of getting over creative blocks. What I mentioned before was like this idea of creating momentum, like creative blocks can be, you just have to go through it because you are going to feel resistance. You kind of just have to like sit down and go through it.

You have to keep on working, letting go of resistance, trying to push through the resistance. Creating the momentum until you reach a breakthrough. Yeah, like the breakthrough is going to happen. It's just a matter of time. It's just You just have to keep going, keep to your habits. We were talking about before, it's like this idea of non distraction.

Can you picture breathwork being a great tool to use for some who are wanting to overcome? For sure. Yeah, this idea of stepping away, reconnecting with yourself. Yeah, you have to be aware of your thoughts, but also you have to [00:28:00] let go of your thoughts, but there's always going to be sort of like, you know, messages that come through you that embracing whatever is coming through you.

Embracing, uh, randomness, embracing abstraction, like embracing, whatever messages, you know, you want to hold on to during your, your breath work. But I think it's a great tool to like, yeah, step away and then go back. So has creating art ever served as a therapeutic or transformative tool for you? Like, do you feel certain ways or better emotionally, physically as you're creating art?

Yes. It gives me a sense of, uh, like identity, purpose, It gives me a sense of feeling that I can solve problems. Yeah. I think it's like this idea of like perception. I think it's really influenced me, how I see the world in terms of art. Like for me, you know, a social interaction, like, or a vision, like a [00:29:00] scene in a city, whatever, like it's, it can be like this idea of like, well, this is my reality and.

So that's my perception. So I'm able to use that information. Like I'm constantly using information, but yeah, it's definitely helped me form who I am and I almost like develop my own philosophy in life. Like this idea of like interest in choices, especially choices, like your choices do matter and like every choice.

is going to go somewhere. And there's little choices that you think maybe don't matter. Like every, like everything kind of matters. What would you recommend to other aspiring artists who want to learn techniques for enhancing their own creative flow, mindfulness when they're approaching their own art and creative career?

If you have any advice for them? Yeah. Uh, my advice would be to experiment. You want to paint, paint, and then if you want to turn that into a sculpture. to [00:30:00] experiment with it. What would the painting look like as a sculpture? Or, yeah, experimentation, I think, in general, I think is a great key. To really better yourself and understand like where your boundaries are.

And I think it brings you to the next level to be unafraid to experiment, to be unafraid and like, just to embrace the abstraction and, uh, experiment. So experimentation in like physical world, like in, in, in material, but then also like courage in life. Mm hmm. Oh, art can be a great outlet too. Those other avenues of exploration, you know?

Yeah. It's a fun way to explore different materials, come up with new things, and create into the unknown spaces. Another perspective there.

Thank you for tuning in to Creative Clarity. [00:31:00] Until next time, stay inspired, stay mindful, and keep creating.