Meet Esther Franchuk | Fine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Esther Franchuk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Esther, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For me, taking risks has shaped the course of my life, beginning with my decision to pursue a creative path.

I still remember the moment at a charity art auction in my hometown 10 years ago that marked the beginning of it all. Someone told me, “When you take the risk to dream, you will always be met by God.”

I was only 14 at the time, the youngest person there, surrounded by people dressed in fancy clothes, speaking of art and making a difference in the world through their stories.

The atmosphere felt like a retro ball with live music, and I was super excited as I shared my painting and my dreams.

I didn’t have much skill back then, but something in that moment, changed me forever. This was the year I decided I was going to be an artist. No matter how difficult the path would be, no matter how many closed doors or obstacles I would face. I knew I was meant for it.

Taking that step into the unknown was terrifying, but it was also thrilling. Looking back, I can say with pride that I would never have chosen any other life. Though it hasn’t always unfolded the way I envisioned, I’ve felt the full support of something greater, guiding me all the way.

That decision marked the beginning of many risks I would take to pursue a creative path. Becoming an artist isn’t something most people will cheer you on for—society doesn’t see it as a stable career choice, and it comes with countless challenges. But I knew I had to follow my heart, no matter what.

As an artist, every piece that I share with the public feels like a part of me. Every painting leaves me vulnerable for the critique of others, good or bad. Just by doing what I’m doing, I take these small risks every time – being praised or being rejected.

When you share your ideas, your heart, and something deeply personal with the world, you expose yourself to judgment. It can be daunting, but you take the risk because it feels right. You do it because you want to shape society, to stir people’s hearts, and to spark questions. Creativity is not just about expression—it’s about connection, challenging norms, and making people see the world in a new way.

Art is undeniably important and impactful, but it’s also a tricky business concept. Even with a great amount of skill, you might not hit the target. You’re constantly wrestling with your ego, trying to create not just what you feel but also what will resonate with others.

In the end, it often comes down to whether someone personally likes a specific piece enough to hang it on their wall. There are countless other ways to make a living—faster and more predictable ones—but the ability to truly live out my purpose while fully giving myself to my work, despite the risks, is what sets me apart over time.

The risks may be great, but the rewards—living authentically and touching others through my art—make it all worth it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I don’t come from an artistic family so I always felt like a forerunner in this field. I loved drawing as a child but it wasn’t coming naturally to me in terms of a skill.
I didn’t have a talent for it, so it was all about vision and perseverance. Since a really young age I wanted to become someone great. To become a person who could influence others with beauty and truth. And art looked like a great asset to do so. It led me to starting my journey of becoming professional artist at the age of 15 with enrolling in my first art college.

I see art as an asset & cultural inheritance, as a channel for beauty and truth. It’s a language to express the things you would never be able to express with words. It’s a way to process your pain and build hope within once again. It’s a way to study patterns and discoveries from the past and bring a different vision for the future.

Good art inspires, good art uplifts, it speaks to the potential and it speaks simply by beauty. Artists are not the ones fighting on a battlefield but are the ones preserving the culture, ethnicity and authenticity of our nations. They pass it on from generation to generation so that it can tell the story of strength, dignity, resilience, hope and overcoming.

Being an artist is setting your foot in a vision of tomorrow and being a beacon of hope for the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I would take them to Riverside, my favorite place to get a coffee in Uzhhorod. They specialize in roasting their own coffee beans – in the middle of the cafe! You can truly feel their passion for coffee, every sip of their latte is just perfect. Then I would show them the local castle, standing high above the city. It’s always worth a visit and immediately connects you to the history of my town. I would also show them my art studio, the place where I create all of my paintings. Many of them are hung on the walls and create this wonderful atmosphere that only paintings are able to create. In the evening, I would take them to one of my favorite restaurants near the Uzh, the river that runs through the town. Uzhhorod is just a perfect vacation town full of culture and history! For the rest of the trip, I would show them many more of my favorite coffee shops and restaurants and take them to the carpathian mountains to take a dive in one of the rivers and ride horses.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to shoutout Milan Art Institute, especially Elli Milan, for constantly supporting me in my artistic journey and being a great friend and mentor.

Website: https://www.estherfranchuk.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther_franchuk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@esther_franchuk

Image Credits
Paul Hartwig