We are thrilled to collaborate with the Artists Association of Nantucket this year to feature their talented artist members. The AAN is a non-profit organization supporting Nantucket artists, providing educational programs in the arts, and preserving the legacy of Nantucket artists. Visit their website, their gallery at 19 Washington Street, their studio at 24 Amelia Drive, or give them a call at (508) 228-0294.
Meet the Artist – Alexandra Yurkosky
Interviews conducted by Gwen Malcolm, Big Gallery Manager
Alexandra Yurkosky, known as Sasha by her friends, hails from Montclair, NJ. She has been spending summers in Nantucket since the age of six and officially became a resident in 2006. Sasha has always had a penchant for creative endeavors, starting from her childhood days at the Artists Association, where she dabbled in ceramics during the 1980s, to her role as a sweater designer and buyer for a prominent retail company. Fueled by her passion for color, Sasha primarily works in oil paints which allows for maximum color depth and complexity. Sasha’s goal is for the vibrant hues and bold brush strokes of her paintings to be the perfect complement to the Grey Lady!
What is your artistic background/education? How did you first get interested in art?
I took my first painting class in Nantucket in 2009 with Anne Sutherland. Since then I have taken many classes over the years and am largely self-taught.
If you could master any other medium than the one you most frequently use, what would it be?
Ceramics! I love taking wheel-throwing classes and have tons of misshapen bowls around the house to show for it. It’s a humbling process.
Who are three artists who have influenced your work?
Growing up, I watched Sandy Flavin & Carol Keefe paint and hoped some day to be like them. Seeing their talents and how they showcased their work had a profound impact on me. Anne Sutherland was my first painting teacher. Her unique sense of color influenced not only my learning process but how I choose to incorporate color into my work today. I also really admire the abstract artist Gary Komarin. His compositions and colors are quite unique. Studying his work inspires me to cultivate something surprising in each of my paintings.
Do you have any secret talents or unexpected hobbies? / What are your passions outside of art?
Few people know I have a Master’s Degree in Pure Mathematics and I do math tutoring for high school and college students. People think math and art don’t go together but I disagree!
Describe your ideal day on Nantucket.
My ideal day would be to pick out a book from the Atheneum (my favorite building on the island), read that book at the beach and swim in the ocean. On the way home, stop at 167 Seafood for something to throw on the grill for dinner!
