Artist on Mission

“You look ridiculous if you dance.
You look ridiculous if you don’t dance.
So you might as well dance.”

My name is Kama Czechowska, a Polish painter currently living in France. I graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice and Warsaw, where I refined my skills in visual arts and design. Over the years, I worked as a visual communication designer for clients such as e-teatr.pl, PPNT Gdynia, the Map of Polish Composers, and SWPS University. My journey as a designer was fulfilling, but something was always missing—the creative foundation that had started it all: Art.

Travel:

So, I hit the road. I traveled across Europe—Portugal, the UK, Spain, and France—living a nomadic, minimalist lifestyle. Along the way, I worked as a resident artist for private clients, musicians, filmmakers, and restaurants. I walked from Poland to Portugal, painted for the Italian mafia, founded Petricora Studio, and wrote This is Not a Tomato, a recipe book about the art (of cooking). I immersed myself in the search for my true voice and life mission.

The Voice:

During my time spent painting plein air in the sunlit landscapes of Spain and in the picturesque villages of Portugal, I was constantly surrounded by the artistic richness of the Old Continent. The beauty and history of the places I visited fueled my creativity, yet the nomadic lifestyle had its downsides. It wasn’t easy to follow a traditional artist’s path—participating in art collectives or working with galleries—when I was constantly on the move. Despite these challenges, my travels became the perfect backdrop for my personal exploration, prompting fundamental questions about my work: What is my story as an artist? What message do I want to share through my art?

These questions led me to undust my passion for portraiture and uncover the power of archetypal stories.

In my art, I explore the concept of archetypal female portraits. I aim to capture universal experiences that any woman can relate to. My characters are often surrounded by plant motifs, their symbolism waiting to be unlocked. The plants in my works are more than just decorative; they reflect the character's life stage, emotions, and the deeper narrative that unfolds in the piece.

Mission

As my style became more defined, I began committing myself fully to my art career. I took the leap, told the world I was a full-time artist, and poured myself into it. But very quickly, I found myself pushing against the walls of advice that came with being professional.

You have to focus on one thing.
You need to be consistent.
Find your niche and stay in it.

But that’s not how my mind works. I’m naturally curious, enthusiastic, and constantly inspired. I love painting, deeply. Yet at the same time, I feel an undeniable pull toward so many other things—people, travel, cooking, farming, creative writing, design, crafts... Life itself lights me up. And despite my best efforts to fit into one artistic box, my mind keeps sparking with ideas beyond it.

There’s a question that kept looping in my head:
Is this really the one thing you want to do for the rest of your life?

And my answer has always been paradoxical: Yes! I love painting!
And also: But... there’s something else there.

So I began to reflect deeply on my experiences—what gives me joy, what makes me come alive. I thought about how much I love cooking for people, though I never dream of opening a traditional restaurant; I thought about my love for connecting with others, even though I’m naturally shy. I’ve always felt most comfortable in the quiet role of a host—when I was running an open house or working in hostels; I thought about how much I enjoy working with young people; and above all, how deeply I understand the creative mind—because I’ve lived in one all my life.

Then, one day, I read The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein. It lit a spark. Gertrude and Alice had this apartment in Paris where artists, writers, and dreamers gathered for dinners, long conversations, and creative exchange. It was intimate and alive. They weren’t running a gallery or an institution—they were cultivating a space. 

Not long after, I stumbled upon a TEDx talk by Emilie Wapnick called Why some of us don’t have one true calling. She talked about multipotentialites—people who thrive on variety, exploration, and connecting ideas across fields. I had never felt more seen.

Her talk was like a pass to accept the obvious: I wasn’t meant to do just one thing—I was meant to weave many things into a bigger vision.

A Home for Art to Happen

From my life experience, I know every single inch of struggle an artist may go through: missing equipment that stops our flow, hitting the wall of logistics, the lack of proper space—who hasn’t used a bedroom or living room as a studio? The distraction when everyday life steals our focus, which is so essential for making art, or, on the other hand, the isolation that makes us feel hopeless and full of doubt.

I believe art and artists are too important to be defeated by these obstacles. That’s why my long-term goal is to create a home that, in the most graceful way, acts as a fortress against these challenges, letting us breathe, flourish, and make art.

Why I Share All This

After years of deep and honest introspection, I finally feel like my life has taken a clear direction. This vision requires learning, time, and investment—but simply knowing where I’m heading brings me peace.

What I didn’t expect was how things began to open up when I started sharing it. Since then, new collaborations, invitations, and ideas have found their way to me—just because I spoke my dream out loud.

That’s why I’m sharing it here, too.
If something in these words made you pause, sparked a thought, or reminded you of something you've been carrying quietly—don’t hesitate to get in touch.

After all, a dream dreamt alone tends to stay a dream.