Interview with Basia from fine line pyro
Name: Basia Chmielowiec
Burning since: 2009
Location: Innisfil, Ontario 🇨🇦
Can you tell us a little about your art, your life, and you!
my name is Basia, the wood burning artist behind fine line pyro. One of the craft mediums I enjoy is pyrography and creating sustainable high end art that is inspired by nature!
mandalas are my jam but i also love trying new things and collaborating with other artists.
How did you find wood burning, and when?
in 2009, I got my first wood burning machine as a payment for creating some artwork on a bus!
i lived in Calgary for about 6 years and during that time I met this wonderful group of people who, at that time, started a business called bass bus. their idea was to create a moving platform for artists and musicians that would travel to different music festivals/events and perform. this amazing community grew and grew and I am very happy I was able to see it blossom.
since the bus was always moving, they needed artwork inside the bus that was permanent. they had transformed the entire interior with wood and discovered the art of pyrography. they trusted me enough to burn their bus and i am so honoured they did. i haven’t stopped burning since and am still using the same machine they gave me!
I will always have a special place in my heart for these amazing people, the mountains and the wonderful 6 years spent out west.
How did you find this fine art, fine line style?
practice, practice, practice.
doing the same thing you love and varying it and tweaking it over time allows your style and your art to have a character that is organic and your own. it took me a while to realize this. i was often putting myself down for not being as good as others, or not being able to create something amazing the first time i try. being an artist and having your own style is a journey that has to be taken. one of my favorite podcasts by Rich Roll (featuring Chase Jarvis): Creativity Is Our Birthright, sums it up nicely!
Have you always created art?
art has always been part of my life in one way or another. in high school i took all the art classes that were available. i never had any formal training afterwards but a solid family foundation which supported and encouraged all varieties of creativity. I often draw with pencil and ink, mostly mandalas, as well as play with digital mandalas, i dabbled in scrapbooking, i really got into pastel, and also dove deep into making feather earrings and accessories and so many other random things… I really like to make stuff.
What is it about mandalas that you love so much?
the meaning of the word mandala in Sanskrit is circle. mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. the circular designs symbolizes the idea that life is never ending and everything is connected. mandalas can be simple or intricate, big or small and no two i make are ever exactly the same. creating them is my meditation, no matter the medium. drawing and burning mandala’s make me zone out and escape the clutter in my mind.
Any new techniques you are hoping to try?
I can’t wait to add some gold leafing onto my work but I want to work with adding colours, aiming for sustainable paints and natural elements to keep my work earth friendly.
How much time is spent wood burning versus the rest of the business?
the ratio is about 80-20. i spend about 80% of my time wood burning and 20% on my business. I would like to invest more time onto the business end of things but have to juggle a full time job and a family. perhaps one day…
If people want to teach classes, what do you suggest they look for? Any pieces of advice?
teaching classes brings me so much joy. i really enjoy when i can show people something new that can provide some peace and calmness in their lives. the best way to start, especially if you are short on time, is with a company.
i started teaching at Lee Valley Tools. they did all the work gathering students, providing materials and tools, and receiving payments. all i had to do was show up. this was huge since i didn’t have time or money for advertising and looking for students. now that i have more followers and know more people interested in learning, i invested in a few extra machines and am able to host small classes from my home!
Deserted Island, with power question. You can choose ONE:
Burner: any razertip brand burner. I have the SS-D10
Nib: the chisel tip (a.k.a. the sexy tip!)
Type of wood: cedar 🤤
Non-essential tool (but basically essential to you): sandpaper - i very gently sand most of my pieces when i am finished burning them to get the very fine lines i love
What other tools are essential for you?
I can do without (if i really had too) but i do take my compass everywhere i go. this helps me get the perfect circles and general shapes for my mandalas.
What apps, and programs do you find yourself using?
planoly is great for organizing instagram photos and the order i post them. i am able to see my feed and insert new photos and move them around. this really helps plan ahead of time. i also use the mobile version of adobe lightroom for editing before they go into planoly. Canva is a game changer for all things digital! and of course, Pinterest is always my favourite to get inspired as well as market myself for free.
How do you stay organized?
i really love using google keep. its basically like a digital sticky note hub that i can colour coordinate, tag (level of importance), label (business or personal), add photos too, make into checklists and share (ie. grocery store list) and edit with others. I always have it in my phone and its connected to gmail so setting alarms or scheduling e-mails is really easy! This is great because even those looooong term ideas can be stored away but also can be easily found anytime i want.
What wood do you use, and what suppliers do you prefer in Canada?
i often go dumpster diving in nearby wood shops. many companies who make kitchens or generally work with wood cannot use little pieces so their scrap wood and cut off’s go into the landfill. i divert as many pieces as i can and make them into art! I recently scored on a whole lot of cherry, which i love using and it has a gorgeous warm color with beautiful grains throughout. if i need to purchase a specific kind or shape, I go to Exotic Woods in burlington or look online.
What parts of the business do you absolutely love and what parts are hard?
of course i love the actual art process, trying new things with wood burning and evolving my style. the part that is difficult for me is the whole selling process. i have a hard time pricing my art… i just started selling and am hoping to improve on this as i grow.
Any advice for newbie wood burning artists?
keep on creating. as i mentioned earlier, make it till you make it. the more you do the more you know what and how to do it. also, understanding that we all have a journey to go through is important. don’t compare yourself to others and their work. compare yourself to who you were yesterday and just keep moving forward.
Where do you find inspiration?
nature! i love nature and everything it has to offer. i go portaging as often as i can and during those times, and also when i am taking care of my own plants in my home and backyard, i get a wealth of new ideas and inspiration. being in the forest grounds me.
What goals do you have for Fine Line Pyro?
i have something very exciting in the pipelines. i want to take nature and being in the forest and mix it in with mandalas so i am creating a sketchbook fit for traveling, guiding people of all artistic levels to make their own mandalas. stay tuned in my fine line pyro instagram feed for an announcement coming soon!
Watch the recorded live video: