Blanka Kubu-Brejcha: the artist rising like a phoenix from the ashes

(My Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser column for January 2012)

Pickering artist, Blanka Kubu-Brejcha admits she has a “rebellious” personality – this in spite of being born and raised in the (then) repressive Communist state of Czechoslovakia. Her natural ability to draw and acute artistic sensibilities were initially thwarted by family and “the State”, but training in animation and contact with other underground artist types in her native land kept the creative spark alive and helped carry her through to a career as a commercial artist there, then, more recently, as a merchandising designer and fine artist here in Canada.

But, back in Europe, after years in a state-controlled animation employment studio and a marriage that produced two girls, but didn’t survive, Kubu-Brejcha landed a prestigious job as an art director in a multi-national advertising agency in her newly-democratized country. And then, connecting with an advertising executive here in Canada, she abandoned her roots for a new life and new marriage in this country in 1994.

Once again, however, the fates conspired to bring her down, as the marriage imploded and, after suffering through several years of working in menial jobs, she found herself, literally, living in her car. Gathering herself up, phoenix-like, she landed a position as a merchandising/display specialist at Ikea and established herself a home in Pickering.

And, with a more settled and comfortable life-situation, her latent interest in fine art, finally, got a chance to flower. And she took up acrylic painting that reflected her monumental struggles to survive and prosper – the initial works being dark and graphic “rocks-in-the-way-of-happiness” depictions, done in a style reminiscent of her animation pictorial roots.

Discovering the dynamic Durham Region arts community, Kubu-Brejcha joined tha PineRidge Arts Council, involved herself in the newly-established Silverstone Gallery and then was talked into submitting a piece to the Oshawa Art Association juried show this past June -- and won first prize in acrylics!

So, now, the phoenix is truly in flight. And she is chafing at the bit to get to the “thousands of ideas” for paintings that circle in her head. A Czech compatriot has invited her to discuss involvement in her gallery in the Distillery District in Toronto. And the future shines brightly for the rebellious creative soul who has washed up on our shores. To connect with Kubu-Brejcha, e-mail her at blanka.b.kubu@rogers.com

If you are a professional artist living in -- or a Durham Region artist showing work in -- Ajax or Pickering, and wish to be profiled in my column, please connect with me at haomarra@gmail.com