Beata Anna Fijalkowska

Who are you, where are you located and where do you work from?

My Irish friends call me by my middle name, Anna. I am a painter, photographer, interior designer, illustrator and writer.

In 2001 I obtained a Masters Degree in Fine Art from the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan, Poland, got married and in January 2002 came to Ireland with my husband. We live in Athenry, Co. Galway.

I work from home and am happy painting and writing in my home studio. I plan to open a photo studio in the near future. At the moment, I am available as a professional photographer for weddings and other events. I also take commissions for oil portraits and write in Polish and English.

Since 2006, I have had numerous exhibitions of my abstract and illustrative paintings in Limerick, Galway and Dublin. I’ve also won a number of prizes for my poetry in competitions organized by POSK in Dublin. I have written two books in English: a memoir ‘Have you got a boyfriend?’ and a book for children ‘Too late for screaming’. Children are a real focus of my work, my art and writing. I think they are the most honest critics. I had a solo exhibition in Galway called ‘Colour Attack’ in 2006 and children loved my colourful paintings. That gave me great encouragement. My son, who is eleven, is the youngest collector of my works.

I am in love with film and have just finished a script for a children’s film, titled ‘The Wish’.

The chance to participate in the Galway Film Centre/Western Development Commission Feature Film Script Mentoring Programme was a great opportunity. Before it I did not feel like a scriptwriter, but now I do. I even belong to the Galway Scriptwriters Group.

Is living in the West of Ireland important to your creativity?

Yes. When I moved here from Poland I lived in a couple of other parts of Ireland at first but I chose Galway. It is a city of artists. There are quite a lot of exhibitions going on, though there is a lack of access to art house films in the city at the moment. I feel that County Galway is good for writing. I am a member of Athenry writing group and East Galway Artists Network.

What inspires you / do you have creative role models?

My subconsciousness is a great source of inspiration for my paintings. I love abstract Surrealism of J. Miro, P. Klee and W. Kandinsky. They all inspire me.

When it comes to portrait photography, my inspiration is Sue Bryce who can make women with curves look slim just by posing them in a special way. I am very passionate about my photography, just like Sue Bryce.

Another role model that comes to mind is M. Musierowicz, a Polish writer who had finished the same Art University in Poznan as I have.

What is your biggest challenge?

I think my biggest challenge is to be the best I can in all I do. I want to continue writing and painting, but when I am writing I don’t paint and when I’m painting I don’t write, so it’s a real challenge to balance both.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to open a professional photography studio. I also have plans for an art exhibition and am looking for people who are happy and in love and would like to have their pictures taken for free in exchange for participation in my Love Art Project (just 30 minutes of your time). If you are interested, please contact me at beafija@yahoo.pl.

I am going to do another draft of my script. I am also thinking of developing the story as a book and illustrating it myself. I am planning to write another script as I have an idea I am very passionate about; something for adults.

I would love to give art classes (Painting, drawing, portfolio preparation) and you can contact me if you are interested. I am currently learning to write about art for PVA, so I might become an art critic in the future. I have my own theory about what makes good art.