Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yıldız Grodowski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yıldız, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Before I explain where I get my resilience from, perhaps giving the Webster definition of resilience will be helpful: ‘the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties: toughness’. I can’t help but add ‘risk taking’ to this, at least in my case.
Many decades ago I decided to come to the United States for a second master’s degree. I graduated from college in May in İstanbul, Türkiye and in September I landed in Boston, MA.
Now this might not seem like a big deal. But please understand that those were the times when everything went snail mail, and placing an international call went through an operator. Cell phones? What’s that? And even more importantly, because it was my personal decision, I wanted to be responsible for everything and refused any help from my parents. I was 24 years old, saved money by working all summer and during the school year, and spoke no English but only Turkish and French. I had no place to go, no one to rely on. It was not easy, not at all. Yet every difficulty that came my way – – and there were plenty of – – I did withstand. I made my own outfits and taught French while learning English. I learned to recover no matter what. If things didn’t work out I found other ways. Through thick and thin, I persevered. More than anything else, my resilience was my guidance, my North Star! I had to grow from my struggles and be flexible. Elasticity in any circumstance was the key. Perhaps my mantra was ‘One Step At a Time,’ like the title of one of my paintings.
But we’re not here to write a long novel. I need to explain where I get this capacity to adapt, face difficulties, and recover. Where does it come from? I really don’t know. I guess it’s simply my nature. I remember myself behaving exactly like this as a little child. Nothing was too hard. I could spring right back and not give up. I was different and was allowed to be different. Something organically must’ve stuck on me from my parents. And as a grown up, it continues. At times it’s even easier, because you realize the value of adapting yourself to any circumstance without giving up your core principles.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I was born and raised in İstanbul, but spent most of my life in the Boston area. In my early years I designed sets for stage performances and residential interiors. For many years, I was the CFO of a private company that I co-founded with my former husband. So yes, I had to learn accounting too. No sweat, I love numbers.
Prior to painting, I sculpted with clay, had my own business, worked day and night and I simply loved it. Situations changed in my life, I sold my business and decided to refocus on painting. At first, I was skeptical that a two-dimensional medium would bring me the same satisfaction. Boy was I wrong! Soon I discovered how well I could express myself through achieving my own depth on the canvas. All you need to do is pour your soul onto the substrate. Yes yes I know, it’s easier said than done. But remember, resilience, perseverance, and risk taking? It works out at the end.
Besides painting my other passion is dancing. No more competitions, no more showcases, only social dancing now. But it’s a must in my life. I find such connections between abstract painting and improvisational dance and the fluid gesture of the dancer’s body is woven into my work.
My studio is located at Vernon Street Studios, in Somerville, MA. I try to go there and paint everyday. Of course it doesn’t work like a clock, especially this summer. But I try.
I call myself a semi-abstract / semi-figurative painter, not a pure 100% abstract one. It’s because there are always recognizable elements in my paintings. Not realistic but recognizable to the eye. The foundation of my art is connection. This could be the subject matter, ie. connection among the figures in the painting through their narratives. It’s also my connection to my art throughout the process. As I mention in my artist statement, I never sign a piece until I’m fully connected with it. “Once I am you will be too!” I say. I strive to make the viewer connected to my work emotionally. Intellect is ok too, but connection on an emotional level is different, more paramount in my work. Especially if I can take the viewer to a moment in their life, to a place or a person, or if they can introduce their own narrative through mine. Perhaps that’s why I was able to make, in less than a year, two grown up men cry holding my paintings before purchasing.. well to me, that’s priceless!
Rather than listing any event I’m participating in currently, I’d like to invite your readers to visit my website www.yildizgrodowski.com and look under ‘Shows’ as I continuously exhibit.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
May I answer this wonderful question with not only reflecting back but also looking forward. After all, we are continuously growing, learning, and changing. We have skills from the past and learn new ones today that are impactful as well. It’s an unending journey.
a) Perseverance is very important, in my opinion. I believe in perseverance even to the point of being stubborn and proving to yourself that it can be done.
b) Love of life. This love is not only for art, for family or nature etc.. but for LIFE itself. Let’s remember life is the biggest gift offered upon us.
c) Gratitude. Sometimes I wonder if I found art in my life, or if art found me. It’s most likely the latter. How great is that! How lucky I am that I do what I love and continue to have such an artful life.
To the folks early in their journey I’d say don’t ever give up, don’t lose hope no matter what. This could be in art, in a relationship, a new endeavor, it doesn’t matter. Just stay the course. And more than anything, please, trust and believe in yourself. You got this!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
First they gave me life. Then they left me be… myself.
They were always very proud of me but they didn’t show it much. When I was little and my friends’ moms always praised them in front of everyone and my mom kept quite I always begged her, “how come you don’t do the same? I have even better grades than them” if it was about the grades at school. She’d say “let people realize your worth on their own, you don’t need me shout it.”
There was both art and no art at home. My mom painted wooden spoons when she was young, both for fun and for money. My dad was in textile business. When both my older sister and I decided to pursue careers in art they did not resist at all like so many parents do..
They let me make my own decisions, they trusted me. This must be the most impactful thing they did.
I loved my parents so much and miss them dearly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yildizgrodowski.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yildizgrodowski
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yildizgrodowski
- Youtube: YouTube.yildizgrodowski (not my chanel, but some interviews)
Image Credits
Yildiz Grodowski
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