Featured Artist: Echo Chernik


Echo Nouveau, New Again


Written by: Chris Harrison Design & Layout by: Chelsea Coolsaet


Echo X, aka artist Echo Chernik, is an Art Nouveau illustrator living and working in SW Florida. Her work demonstrates the archetypes of femininity and action evolving into the digital age. Echo graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Commercial Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. She spent the first five years of her career illustrating black and white interior pieces for computer games before making her way into mainstream advertising and creating pieces for Lance Armstrong’s 2001 Le Tour de France campaign. She has since worked for a wide variety of clients on projects such as the City of New Orleans official Mardi-Gras motif, Disney, NASCAR and many more. In addition to commissioned pieces, Echo has continued to express herself through many forms, including an updated reimagining of Art Nouveau. Echo has published an illustrated bio, Echo Nouveau, as well as a recent sketchbook, Echo Remarques. Pulse Magazine SWFL caught up with this innovative artist to ask a few questions about her new work and dedication to the local art community.


Echo, your vision is unique in the Art Nouveau spectrum. Please define your style.


Echo Nouveau or “New Again.” Few people are exploring Art Nouveau as an art form. I do. I don’t stick to pre-conceived decorative elements or compositions. Due to the complexities, I am best known for that style. I am also an advertising illustrator and am capable of many styles.


You have produced pieces for Arlo Guthrie (Alice’s Restaurant) and the Dave Matthews Band. What was it like working with these big names?


I worked with the Dave Matthews Band through an agent. Arlo, however, hired me personally. I’ve gone to his shows backstage and spent time at his home. I like him a lot. He’s really funny, not exactly what you might think if you just heard his music. My father is a huge fan and that first job, the 40th Anniversary poster for Alice’s Restaurant Massacree, was a big deal for him. I enjoy music posters and would like to do more.


What are your favorite pieces personally and why?


I have many favorite pieces, but one that stands out is Icarus’ Revelation. While it clearly has Art Nouveau influence, it is one of the most neo- classically composed works I have ever done, and one of the most complicated. The piece illustrates Icarus at the precise moment that he realizes something is wrong in his plan to fly away. His world is turning upside down and the piece actually gives you vertigo. How? Because I turned the entire piece upside down to compose it. Most viewers immediately feel calmer when the work is rotated. It was designed to be visceral and I love that.


What are your popular works and why do you think they attract more attention?


My work contains elements of beautiful women, Art Nouveau, humor, exotica, drama and juxtapositions that speak clearly to a certain group of people. People have a hard time as they can’t choose a favorite. This makes me very happy as it shows consistency in the quality of my work. My most popular works are the Cthulhu series (Pie Cthulhu), and Chocolate, Coffee and Tea, but my multiple Shadowrun (RPG) pieces are right on their heels. I am always producing new works and just finished Bezdna. I’m now working on Black Magic, more Shadowrun works - plus a woman with grapes. I love that people who love my work tend to love my style, not just a particular piece.


What advice can you offer to aspiring artists?


Work hard. I’ve seen fantastically talented artists fizzle out. They lack drive. I’ve seen mediocre artists push themselves into success by pure willpower. It takes talent and ambition. Successful artists are those who create day in and day out, who could not stop if they tried. My husband says, “Picasso started drawing at age four and by age 24 he was considered a master of art. Mondrian retired and started painting at 44. By age 64 he was considered a master of art. So is it talent or twenty years of hard work?” It takes about ten years to become an “established” working artist. If you need jobs to support yourself, try to stay in the art field somewhere. Learn all that you can.


Where can readers see more and / or purchase your work?


My online gallery is at www.echo-gallery.com and all pieces featured there are available for purchase. Visit www.echo-location.com for a current schedule of my upcoming appearances. Those who are interested can purchase pieces from me directly.


34 | Pulse Magazine SWFL


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