Like Mother, Like Daughter Andrea Zakrzewski brings wildflowers into the next generation

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Magazine Interview in Uptown Magazine about andreazfloralfashion

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Andrea J. Zakrzewski has been surrounded by art since childhood. Her mother, Andrea de Kerpely-Zak — a Hungarian artist with a flair for painting wildflowers — is her inspiration.

Just before Kerpely-Zak left Hungary, she picked a bouquet of wildflowers and painted them, symbolizing freedom and healing. Zakrzewski has based her career as an artist off of her mother’s creation.

“My mother has mentored and shaped me as a fine artist, and I hope to leave a legacy of her art in my works,”  Zakrzewski says.

In 2004, the duo opened Gallery Andrea in the heart of the Arts District.

Their artwork is available on canvas and, more recently, on clothes. Last year, Zakrzewski launched her wearable art line, Floral Fashion (www.andreazfloralfashion.com). The collection allows patrons to don Zakrzewski and her mother’s vibrant wildflowers on skirts, leggings, dresses, purses and scarves.

“I wanted people to be able to wear our ‘healing flowers’ and spread joy to others they encounter,” she explains.

In addition to your mother, what other artists inspire you? I am also a huge fan of all the impressionists, including [Claude] Monet and Vincent van Gogh. Have you always been passionate about fashion? I have been interested in fashion since I was exposed to it as a model and pageant contestant. My love of painting goes hand-in-hand with fashion. What do you love most about living in the Valley of the Sun? The beautiful scenery, including the sunsets and gorgeous mountains that I love to hike. We have such beautiful wildflowers, which I love to paint plein air (outdoors).

By Elizabeth Liberatore
Photo by Mark Morgan

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