Lackmann offers ‘whimsical realism’

Tevka Lackmann began her art career as a youth. Her parents, supportive of her creative endeavors, allowed her to paint murals on her childhood home’s interior walls and garage door.

Her artwork today consists of a variety of mediums, and she considers herself a multimedia artist with a wide range of interests. 

“I call my art style ‘whimsical realism.’ It is my way of bringing vibrancy to the everyday. I enjoy using bold brushstrokes and color with confidence,” she explains. “My love for art started with drawing and has since branched out to include a range of mediums. If I had to choose, I would label myself as a painter — watercolor, acrylic and oil all included in that.”

She also recently discovered woodcut and screenprint printmaking, as the mediums lend themselves well to bold lines and confident color choices.

One of her latest artworks is also her largest mural, which spans more than 60 feet wide by 10 feet tall. The mural is located on the West Des Moines trail system’s underpass and is titled “The Beauty in Our Backyard.” It features iconic Iowa scenes and outdoor recreation in Tevka’s signature style. 

“I’m quite happy with the way my mural turned out. I’m proud of how I was able to seamlessly blend Des Moines landmarks and various outdoor pursuits together to meet this year’s theme of ‘Our Stories’ while also showcasing my own artistic style and experiences.”

She enjoys painting large-scale artwork, saying, “Public art is such a wonderful way to brighten a space within everyday life. I’m lucky that, in my experience, people seem to really appreciate the outcomes.”

This year, three of her artworks were selected in the 2024 UNI Annual Juried Art Exhibition in Cedar Falls. She received a merit award for an oil painting, “Grocery Run.”

“Grocery Run was an unusual one for me personally. I don’t typically go that realistic with my work,” she explains. “It’s based on a photograph I took on my way home from class while studying oil painting in Florence, Italy. The light was practically begging to be painted, and it was a fun challenge to accomplish.”

As a new college graduate, she says the biggest misconception of her career is that being an artist is not a “real job.” 

“It is a valid profession which requires a lot of discipline, grit and vision. You can support yourself and carve out a beautiful career with determination and diligence. We need dreamers and doers in this world, now more than ever,” she says.

She finds inspiration in the natural world and wants her art to “amplify” causes that are important to her. “There is a depth and power to a visual image that words cannot always convey,” she says. “I never want doing art as work, to take the joy out of creating. I want to use my art to help build a brighter world.” 

Follow Tevka on Instagram @DrawinChick. ♦