Kimera Wachna of Westchester, New York is the co-founder of Gracemere Woods—an Etsy shop where she designs and sells hand-painted and burned wood slices that are adorably rustic. The young artist had built a career working for other artists in the past, but never really felt like she was on the right path until she made the leap to quit her desk job in order to pursue her artistic vision full-time. Initially Gracemere Woods began as a hobby project, as the young artist began crafting bits of wood her boyfriend brought home, but it eventually developed into something more.
Growing up surrounded by trees and nature, Wachna draws inspiration from the world around her and her affinity for nature. Her mini-paintings primarily incorporate recycled and free fallen wood, and she turns to neighbours and the community if her materials ever become scarce. Wachna truly enjoys her self-chosen career, creating small-scale portraits that bring the magic of the woods to life. “I love working small, it creates an intimate experience between myself and the natural world,” she says. “I have learned to appreciate the process of crafting and have come to adore the unique quirks in nature, working to enhance its beauty, instead of forcing my own concepts.”
Wachna’s pieces are available on her Etsy shop, which she runs in coordination with her partner Yuichi Watanabe. As each piece is handmade, everything they have available for sale is absolutely unique.
Kimera Wachna: Etsy | Instagram
via [Creative Boom]