About Zena Stetka Howe

Discovery

In 1975, I was given a second chance when I arrived on American soil from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) escaping under Political Asylum. After a year of scrutiny from the United States Immigration for fear that my family and I were spies (can you imagine being accused of being a spy?), in 1985 I became a Citizen of the United States. After a career as a flight attendant, I turned to my true passion; providing second chances to common objects through by transforming them into art.

As a visual artist, I work in many kinds of media in abstract style from paintings to sculptures to carvings to photography to printing. How did I learn how to do all these things? “When you have nothing, and you want something, you have to make it yourself.” It is very important to use the right technique and materials so that each project has a lasting quality.

Lately I focus on designing commissioned work for all clientele. Some of which can be found in the Texas Hill Country at various wineries and even as large as metal front entry gates to local ranches. This exhibit and my commissioned work embody second chances through the following artwork.

As an artist, I believe in the power of second chances. This philosophy is intricately woven into my work, where materials that once had a previous life are given a renewed purpose through art. Just as I was given a second chance in life, I seek to provide a new lease of life to these materials, transforming them into something meaningful and beautiful.

In selecting my subject matter, I rely on a tactile connection to the materials. By touching them, I can often intuitively sense what each material wants to become. Additionally, fragments of memories floating in my mind often take form as visual images, guiding the creation of future artworks.

What draws me to a particular scene is an innate sense of instinct and balance. I trust my intuition to find harmony and equilibrium in the compositions I create.

My life experiences serve as the cornerstone of my inspiration. Each piece of art is a reflection of the journey I have traveled, imbued with personal history and emotional resonance.

In crafting my works, I am perpetually on the hunt for unique materials. Lately, I have been captivated by wine foils and capsules, which offer a distinctive texture and character that inspire one-of-a-kind art pieces. These unconventional materials lead me to produce art that is truly unique, with each creation echoing the essence of rebirth and transformation.

Through my art, I hope to convey a message of hope and the beauty of second chances, both for the materials I use and the stories I tell.

Zena Stetka Howe

Johnson City, TX

Statement