Artist Interview: Abbey Teravskis - 2024 Painted Piano Artist

From July 1st - October 1st, the Painted Piano Project will be displaying 3 pianos in downtown Lodi!

The painted piano project is a collaboration between Sayla Music Academy, the Lodi Arts Commission, and the vibrant arts community of Lodi. Pianos are donated to Sayla Music Academy and artists are picked to paint them with exciting patterns and themes of iconic local imagery. Local organizations sponsor the pianos which allows the artists to receive compensation and for them to be placed in public with the help of the Lodi Arts Commission.

This years sponsors are the Hutchins Street Square Foundation and Friends of the Library.

Once finished, pianos are then placed in public throughout the downtown area for anyone to play! This project is an exciting way to enrich downtown Lodi with a harmonious collaboration between artists and musicians!

We would like to introduce one of our artists and tell you a little bit more about them! 

Abbey Teravskis

Tell us about yourself:

Hi I’m Abbey. A daughter, sister, friend and recent auntie to my first nephew. City born and country raised. I love urban lights and cozy café chats. Yet have a pull deep inside for mountain heights or ocean shores. Recently combined the two during a few days stay in San Clemente where I caught a charter with my dad to backpack on Santa Rosa Island, a part of the Channel Island National Park. The ride to this island was one of the most inspiring and exhilarating memories. One can never understand true beauty until you meet it face to face. In this case, dolphins nose diving, whales surfacing and white shores broken in shadow. It was truly a painting fresh from the Master’s canvas. Yes, I am a Christian. The love of Christ, the beauty of His creation compels me. His love has completely changed me and there is not a breath I take apart from His sustaining grace. The true beauty in this world is not of sea or Sierra, pinnacle or pine, rather, that a broken heart can be whole. 

In Japan there is a custom to break a vessel then piece by piece assemble it again with melted gold, thus making the piece twice if not ten times more valuable. As a broken vessel I can testify my Lord can mend and not only mend but restore tenfold the beauty, the love, the hope of wonder to life. To today. To a new morning rise, the quiet breath intake and first sip of coffee. The mercy of my Creator is from everlasting to everlasting. May the canvas of my life reflect His grace.

How long have you been an artist? What are some other projects you have worked on?

For all my life. Or so it seems. Ever since I can remember, no paper within my reach has stayed free from scribbles for long. I would doodle away as others played board games, while waiting in long Disneyland ride lines, or on trips to coast or crest. The most memorable projects include two murals, a forty day challenge of one completed painting a day for roughly forty days and live painting three nights during the annual Christmas concept at my church (FBC Lodi).

What inspired you to become an artist?

My grandma, my cousin, and ultimately the Lord. The beauty of His creation has often brought me to tears - I recently heard a quote from a Blue Angel “Boss” ~ “you can chase perfection, and although you will never reach it, along the way you will discover excellence.” I want to trace my Creator’s brush so closely that one flows into the shadow of the other.

Describe the themes and style of your art. Do you gravitate towards one style or medium? What is your favorite medium to create with?

Currently I’m gravitating toward nautical and patriotic. I’ve worked with a vast variety of different mediums including oil paint and pastels, soft pastels, charcoal, pen and ink, acrylic, colored pencil and watercolor. A dream of mine is to create pieces that incorporate each of these unique mediums. My favorite medium, or painting for that matter, is the one I’m currently working on or using.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Winslow Homer who created Impressionism in America without knowing that it was simultaneously being created in Europe. Degas for his individuality. He sketched on pink paper and gave bronze statue dancers tulle skirts.

Tell us about your painted piano design. What inspired it?

This piano is a tribute to the wall of “I love you” in Paris, France. Although I never saw it while visiting a few years ago, I did get to walk over the love lock bridge. What I found most intriguing about the original wall, is that the artists scattered red pieces throughout the piece - symbolizing that true love is not complete without a broken heart. To love is to be ever open yet ever anchored. To soar, yet remain. It is the perfect parity. This piano is not only for sweethearts, but for all who love. Who have loved, are loved, and know the loss of love. The patriotic theme of this piece establishes the love of country. I truly believe America is the home of the free because of the brave. This tribute is reminiscent of the friendship France held forth by presenting the twin Statue of Liberty to the United States. Paris has the first wall of “I love you”. This is my gift to you Paris, France.

What are your aspirations as an artist? What are your dreams as an artist if anything were possible?

To keep creating as long as there is breath in my lungs and strength in my heart. For it is from the heart that art flows. My dream would be to walk in the footsteps of Michelangelo (although not in the same artistic style) who, after painting one day, uttered “ancora imparo” which means “I am still learning”. He was 87 years old at the time.

Tell us about your other hobbies and passions! What do you enjoy besides art

I love ballet! It was always a dream to learn, and now at the age of 24 have finally taken the first steps and have discovered a true love of dance. I love hiking with my dad and our weekly “adventure movie nights” when we watch anything from Jack Ryan to Mission Impossible. Coffee chats with friends are a weekly staple and sharing an enthusiasm for chocolate with my mom is no small secret. Family times include some of my favorite memories. Catering for larger groups or close gatherings are moments to cherish and inspire me to plan future fetes (celebrations).

How can we find more of your art? (website, social media, upcoming shows etc.) Is there anything else you want us to know?

You can follow along with this creative journey on Instagram ~ abbeyisabella.artist or Facebook ~ Abbey Teravskis. I’m currently taking an unofficial creative break off social media till October 2024 when I’ll be revealing new studio developments and exciting new pieces.

You can check out Abbey’s piano in the plaza outside the Library in downtown Lodi from July 1st - October 15th!