Charlotte Szynskie
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AQ Volume IV Artist Charlotte Szynskie is a sculptor from Denver, Colorado, where she creates bronze figurative sculptures. Her home studio is a haven for her artistic endeavors. From a young age, Charlotte displayed a fondness for artistic pursuits; however, she pursued engineering in college. She thrived in a distinguished 33-year career in electrical engineering, including 28 years as the owner of a successful consulting firm. In 2011, upon retirement, she allowed herself to explore her latent passion for sculpture.
Charlotte has studied with several internationally renowned master sculptors. What began as a post-retirement pursuit swiftly evolved into a deep love for the art form. Charlotte's dedication and rapid development in sculpting have drawn comparisons to seasoned masters in the field.
Her sculptural prowess has earned recognition, with her works finding a place in prestigious venues such as the Amsterdam-Whitney Gallery and Salmagundi Club of New York, New York. Charlotte has been in over 20 juried exhibitions in the last three years, receiving the Best in Show award in 2022 at the Loveland Library Galleria. Multiple commissions are now in private collections.
Charlotte has the ability to create realistic human figures and capture a model's strong likeness. Freezing gravity-defying moments or fluid motions of the human body exemplify her artistic vision.
For Charlotte, sculpting is a magical process that elicits chills and smiles when a chunk of clay seemingly transforms into a living, breathing person. Her passion for sculpture is evident in every piece she creates, capturing the beauty, strength, and fluidity of the human form.
www.SculptureByCharlotte.com
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
I have always been drawn to art, and as my retirement neared, I became excited to pursue my passion for sculpture. The commitment came from the pure enjoyment of the process.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
The inspiration for my latest sculpture, Father's Assurance, came from my subject's formative memory of an exchange with her father when she was eight years old. In a bit of a therapy session, we rewrote the memory to be something that could have been, instead of what it actually was. The sculpture represents the possibilities of her father's assurance.
What was the most challenging part of your path so far? How are you navigating this obstacle?
The biggest challenge has been learning to sculpt the human figure at the level that I want. I just kept taking classes from master sculptors and pursued an extensive, in-depth independent study of human anatomy. I have sculpted over 70 pieces but have only created bronzes for about 20 of them. The clay from the rest of the sculptures has been recycled. It was all part of the learning process.
What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?
Experimentation and exploration are very important in life and in producing sculpture. I am an experiential learner. I like to get my hands dirty—or in this case, covered with clay.
Do you have any start or stop rituals before creating?
I struggle to get into the studio sometimes because I like to have several dedicated hours to devote to uninterrupted work. With the day-to-day demands of life, it can be difficult to get the time set aside. Having scheduled models that come to my studio helps me stay on top of the process. Not only do I have to be prepared for the immediate session, but I also have to plan out the process and share the expectations with the model. This helps me stay on track and stay motivated. At the end of each work session, I typically clean up because I like a clean studio, take photos, and document my process. I have 13 years of documentation on all of my 70 or so sculptures. These documents are great references.
What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?
I want to be the best at what I do and encourage others to strive for their best. I hope this is conveyed in my art and inspires others to pursue their strong passions.
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
People say, "That you don't know what you don't know," as a way of gracefully allowing for stumbles. I like to add, "Once you know, you cannot not know." This cements the idea that you must learn from your experiences and not repeat the same negative experiences.
