We’re looking forward to introducing you to Faina Teplitskaya. Check out our conversation below.
Faina, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Absolutely, I’d hire me. Why? Because I’m funny—and that matters. Sure, I show up, get the work done, and know my stuff, but humor keeps creative energy flowing. In studios, classrooms, or any space where ideas bounce around, you need someone who keeps things light without losing focus. In such environments, people usually express their opinions more freely. In the end, funny folks, like me, in general, make life a little easier to digest.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a Ukrainian–American artist who was simply born to create. From childhood on, creativity has always been my natural state of being. I was constantly knitting, sewing, and scavenging for objects—whether unique finds or everyday favorites—to transform into wall sculptures, furniture, or simply a “wow” masterpiece.
Yet for many years, I felt that my artistic spirit was trapped inside a very ordinary human body, living a very ordinary life with a regular job and regular hours. Strange as it sounds, even though my career in Music Education was creative in its own way, it still wasn’t enough.
Freedom came later in life. Through both formal and informal art education, life experience, and an unbounded imagination, I finally broke free of those limitations.
Once I did, I became unstoppable—and unapologetically impatient. I studied metal art at Dallas College, where my jewelry was featured in national magazines and sold in Dallas art galleries. Participating in Austin Fashion Week as a jewelry designer remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Later, I earned a certificate in Graphic Art from Southern Methodist University, completing numerous digital art and brand identity projects for several companies.
Fast forward to today. I continue to explore unknown at the Brookhaven School of the Arts. I speak many visual languages—painting, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media among them. Unsurprisingly, I am always artistically hungry. Everything on the creative “menu” is worth a taste, especially anything that expands the boundaries of form, genre, color, and imagination.
That’s why I plan to keep taking classes – until I turn 100 and beyond.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Life and its associate — experience. Honestly, life has been my biggest teacher, with experience as its loyal assistant — sometimes kind, sometimes not so much. I’ve learned from all kinds of people, both real and virtual. My mom’s the one who got me hooked on fashion and making things, and my dad’s responsible for my love of music.
My kids… well, they’re my biggest cheerleaders and my most demanding (and loving) teachers at the same time. Their teaching philosophy usually comes in the form of free education. In case you don’t know what that is — it’s a special process where education is given to you without request.
And then there’s YouTube, of course, along with books and all those social media “universities.” Somehow, it all adds up.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Dear Younger Me,
If I could tell you one kind thing, it would be this: don’t wait for permission—give it to yourself. Don’t wait for the world to nod before you move; it might never happen.
Be adventurous. Be “bad.”
Take the wrong turns, make mistakes, create the art no one asked for. Be brave enough to begin before you’re ready.
And one last thing—don’t confuse safety with happiness. They are not the same. Which direction do you want to go?
Learn from your mistakes, or from others—or don’t. Just live your life, dear.
Love,
Mature Me
Easier said than done, right?
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’ve always admired women who have a passion for lifelong learning. For example, Hazel Soares — a 94-year-old woman with 40 grandchildren — graduated from college with a degree in art history. Her story was published 15 years ago and is still completely relevant today.
Or take the artist I’m following on TikTok, who shares her love for watercolor with a worldwide audience at the age of 97!
And then there’s Minnie Payne, who recently graduated from the University of North Texas at age 90 and landed a job at a newspaper. She was 73 when she earned her undergraduate degree.
These stories aren’t just inspiring — they’re a powerful encouragement. In 2019, I personally visited the University of Dallas in Irving to discuss the possibility of pursuing an MFA. Three days later, COVID-19 happened. Still, I hope that one day I’ll join the club of these brave women. Who knows?
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had ten years left, I wouldn’t rush to make drastic changes. At this point, I’m already living with that awareness. Logically, if something truly needed to be stopped, I would have done it by now. Still, there’s one thing left on my unfinished list: learning how to stop worrying and start living, just as Dale Carnegie advised. I haven’t quite graduated from that lesson yet, but there’s still time—and maybe that’s what keeps life interesting.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistfaina/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@artistfaina
Image Credits
Self
