Layer by Layer: The Intuitive Art of Stefana Kachirski

Art Lovers | 22 April 2025

Written by Anna Itkonen

Stefana Kachirski is an abstract artist who lives and works in South Australia. Her canvasses open windows to feeling joy, enjoying nature, and being still. She builds her paintings layer by layer, creating contemporary abstract works that are at once calming, intuitive, and richly textured.

Stefana Kachirski

Her journey as an artist is deeply personal and closely mirrors who she is: a self-taught artist whose work is shaped by nature and design and rooted in childhood memories of painting with her grandmother.

We spoke with Stefana amidst her coastal travels in a campervan about her art, overcoming perfectionism and how to feel your way through art.

Intertwined | 90 x 90cm, Mixed media on canvas

Let’s start from the beginning. How did your relationship with art begin?

I’ve always been painting. Some of my earliest and happiest memories are painting with my grandmother who was a watercolour artist. And then, at school, I was lucky to have art classes that weren’t too structured. We were encouraged to experiment and play, and I think that freedom stuck with me. Art was a hobby for about 20 years before I started entering competitions and selling my work more seriously.
I have been a stay-at-home mum for 11 years, and I also work as a teacher. Painting was something I did while the kids were young, and it just grew from there. Now it has become something more serious, which is wonderful, but I still like having variety in my days. Painting can be a bit solitary, and I love being around people, too.

Dancing in the Moonlight | 119 x 84cm, Mixed media on canvas

You describe your work as contemporary abstract art. What draws you to abstraction?

I’ve painted a variety of styles, but I always come back to abstract. It’s definitely the most challenging and I like that. If I paint a landscape, I can just look and replicate what I see. But with abstract work, you’re painting the unseen. It forces you to dig a little deeper and rely on intuition. There’s no guidebook. You have to feel your way through it.

Is that intuition that guides your process?

Absolutely. Every decision from colour to texture to when a painting is finished is intuitive. Sometimes, I’ll do a layer and then walk away for a week. I let the painting breathe. In the meantime, I’ll work on another piece and then come back with fresh eyes.

Come Alive | 170 x 120cm, Mixed media on canvas

You mentioned working in mixed media. Why that medium in particular?

I love working on canvas because it can hold a lot of layers, which is really important to me. I build paintings slowly, using acrylics, pastels, pencils, and sometimes even ink. Using mixed media keeps the piece visually interesting and gives it more dimension.

Do you usually work on multiple pieces at once?

Yes, almost always. And often, those pieces end up becoming a series. I’ll paint them at the same time and they naturally flow together with similar colour palettes, moods, or shapes.

Spring Up | 90 x 90cm, Mixed media on canvas

Tell me more about your colour palette. Your work has a very recognisable, earthy tone to it.

Neutrals are my go-to using muted tones and soft contrasts. But I do love colour. I’ve studied colour theory, so I’m quite deliberate with my choices. Sometimes, I’ll throw in a bold or unexpected hue, and if it works, I’ll keep it. If not, it gets painted over.

Where does inspiration come from for you?

Nature, for sure. We’ve been travelling recently, staying near the beach in our camper, and I take so much in from just looking at boats on the water, how the bushes grow near the sand. I also find a lot of inspiration in design books, interior design magazines, and even maps. I love the way information is layered visually.

Free | 102.5 x 102.5cm, Mixed media on canvas

Do you sketch or take photos to capture ideas?

I take a lot of photos when I’m out. Then, I’ll do small studies on paper, lots of little compositions to test things out. It’s more affordable and quicker to experiment that way. From those studies, I’ll choose favourites to develop into larger pieces.

How long does it take you to complete a painting?

Usually around six to eight weeks. The layering process takes time, and the drying time between layers matters too. I could push through faster, but that tends to muddy the colours. And honestly, part of the process is just thinking, stepping back, letting ideas percolate.

Midsummer | 90 x 90cm, Mixed media on canvas

What does a finished painting feel like to you?

It just clicks. I can’t explain it exactly, but I know when it’s done. It’s when I can step back and nothing feels off. That final layer usually feels instinctual.

Outside of painting, are there other creative things you do?

Oh, all the time. I’m constantly creating resin art, pottery, even building sand cities with my kids at the beach using leaves, shells, and sticks. My daughter taught me how to finger-knit the other day. It’s just who I am, I’m always making something.

Rhapsody | 170 x 120cm, Mixed media on canvas

Is there anything new you’re excited to experiment with?

I’ve been thinking about incorporating more texture, maybe even pushing into a 3D space. Bringing elements off the canvas, making it more sculptural. It’s something I’d love to play with.

Finally, what is your philosophy when it comes to art and life?

Don’t be afraid to take risks, fail, or make mistakes. That’s how you grow and get better. I try to carry that mindset into both my art and everyday life.