We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chelsea Tikotsky. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Chelsea, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Throughout much of the year, it was hard for me to fully see or feel the success I was creating, even as meaningful things were happening. But now, at the end of 2025, taking time to reflect on both my art career and my personal growth has made me incredibly proud. I can see how much consistent work I’ve put into my practice, my mindset, and my business over the past two years.
This year alone, I received my first artist grant, sold 15 paintings—the most I’ve ever sold in a single year—and earned more from my art than ever before. I’ve worked with an art mentor, actively challenged long-held limiting beliefs, and committed to being more visible through social media, my email list, and deeper engagement with collectors. I’ve also spent time visiting galleries to better understand where my work fits, been published in multiple literary and art magazines for the first time, and participated in several group exhibitions.
As I look ahead, I’m excited to continue growing as a person and as an artist, and to truly enjoy what’s to come—because this feels like only the beginning.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Chelsea Tikotsky and I am a contemporary artist. My paintings are guided by the idea that through the forest, you see the field—a metaphor for finding clarity, peace, and light through life’s moments of stillness. My work moves between landscapes and florals: the landscapes evoke the quiet mystery of the forest, while the florals and botanicals reflect the openness of the fields. Together, they remind us that beauty often reveals itself when we slow down enough to look.
That desire to capture the fleeting and the magical began one day while I was running along the bay, immersed in golden light, soft waves, and a sense of pure serenity. It struck me how perfect and ethereal that moment was—so easy to miss, yet so full of wonder. Ever since, my work has been a meditation on presence: a reminder to pause, take notice, and bring more of that quiet magic into our lives.
In a world that moves too quickly, My paintings offer peace, nostalgia, and the hope that something beautiful always lies ahead.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Iholds a B.A. in Studio Art from San Francisco State University and refined my artistic perspective at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy. My work has been showcased in exhibitions across the United States, including the 2024 PBS KVIE Art Auction, where I received the Juror’s Award. My paintings have been featured in Visionary Art Collective (VAC) and the Apricity Magazine Volume 9 Print Edition (2025), published at the University of Texas at Austin, where I was later invited to participate in an artist talk during the magazine’s showcase. My paintings are held in private collections in the United States and abroad.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and is now being released is the collection of limiting beliefs I inherited around work, success, and what was considered “safe.” I was raised to believe that the responsible path meant a secure 9–5 job with benefits, and that art could exist only on the side. For a long time, even while I was deeply committed to my art, I never fully believed it could be my primary career or that it could support me in a meaningful way.
Over the past year and a half—especially this past year—I’ve become acutely aware of how deeply ingrained the “starving artist” mentality and scarcity beliefs around money and creativity were in me, shaped by society, my environment, and what I was taught growing up. While that mindset once offered a sense of security, it ultimately became draining to my health, my happiness, and my sense of self. It was also false—thousands of artists thrive, make meaningful incomes, and live full, abundant lives. Realizing that has been both liberating and empowering.
Through intentional inner work, mentorship, and lived experience, I’ve been actively releasing those beliefs and redefining what success looks like for me. I now recognize that pursuing art full-time is not only possible, but deeply aligned with who I am. Every part of the process—from creation to administration, networking, and visibility—feels expansive, energizing, and fulfilling. Working with my art advisor has shown me how much potential truly exists, and I no longer see my path as limited. I’m releasing the version of myself that believed there was only one “right” way to build a life, and stepping fully into a future that feels open, intentional, and limitless.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up—right after I graduated college. During my time in school, an art professor told the entire class that 90% of us would never pick up a paintbrush again after graduation. Hearing that was incredibly disheartening, and for about a year afterward, I did step away from painting. That comment stayed with me and made me doubt whether I could really pursue art seriously.
But about a year later, I had a turning point. I got angry—not at myself, but at the idea that one person could dictate what I could or couldn’t do. I realized it was unfair and, frankly, a bit ridiculous to let that statement define my path. That anger lit a fire in me to try anyway, to prove to myself that I could continue pursuing art on my own terms. Looking back, I now see that there were other limiting beliefs I needed to work through, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up. I didn’t let one discouraging voice stop me, and that decision ultimately set me on the path to growing as an artist, expanding my career, and building the life I truly want.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire Taylor Swift for her character, not just her power or fame. Beyond being an incredibly talented artist, she demonstrates integrity, thoughtfulness, and groundedness in everything she does. What inspires me most is how she navigates her career with clarity and purpose—making deliberate decisions, advocating for herself, and building a successful career—while staying true to her values.
Even though I don’t know her personally, she seems genuinely real. She shows herself authentically without creating a facade, while still maintaining privacy and boundaries. She is also remarkably kind, generous, and mindful—qualities that are rare at her level of success. Watching how she carries herself provides a model for how I aspire to conduct myself in my own art career: to be authentic, intentional, thoughtful, and generous, while protecting my personal life and maintaining integrity.
Her character demonstrates that it’s possible to be ambitious and successful while remaining grounded, compassionate, and true to oneself. Observing her journey has been inspiring, reminding me that success and authenticity can coexist, and offering guidance for how I might navigate my own creative path.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
I would regret not pursuing an art career full-time and not giving myself the chance to build a life that truly excites me—one that goes beyond societal expectations or what is considered “safe.” I don’t want to look back wishing I had simply chased an idealized version of life; I want to actively create it, experience it, and work toward something bigger.
I don’t want to be the person who looks at someone else’s success and thinks, “They’re just lucky,” and then holds myself back from trying. I know that behind every success, there is effort, risk, and persistence. I want to put in that work myself, to fully pursue what excites me, and to embrace opportunities without doubting that I am capable of achieving them.
For me, it’s about embracing experiences, learning, and growing—whether I know exactly what they will look like or whether they come unexpectedly. I want to take risks, challenge myself, and step into experiences that stretch me in new ways. I want to live fully, intentionally, and with curiosity—learning new things, meeting new people, and discovering parts of myself I never knew existed. Ultimately, I want to make the most of every opportunity and experience along the way, building a life that feels vibrant, expansive, and deeply aligned with who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chelseatikotsky.com/
- Instagram: @chelseatikotskyart
- Facebook: @chelseatikotskyart
- Youtube: @chelseatikotskyart
- Other: TikTok: @chelseatikotskyart
Image Credits
The images with Chelsea Tikotsky in them were taken by Olya Timoshevich.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
