Why did you decide to become an artist? Has it been a turning point in your life?
Yes and no. I received an artistic higher education as a graphic designer 4 years ago. It turned out to be not exactly what I would like to do, but it definitely was the right direction. In any case, I was looking for a creative profession. Last year I decided that I would be a painter. I have been working as a tattoo master for 9 years and I know what it means to express people’s thoughts and feelings on a canvas (if we perceive the skin as a canvas).
Psychologist Malcolm Gladwell claims that reaching 10 thousand hours of practice is the key to success in any field. I received my 10 thousand which are necessary for mastering the skills in the area of visual arts and decided to be an artist.
You are a successful tattoo master. What does tattoo lack that painting gives you? Is it more about art or about craft?
My attitude to being a tattoo matser is constantly changing. I see it as an art, then as a craft. Then again as an art, and after that as a craft. At the moment I have a period of regarding my work as a craft. Too much depends on the client, not me. That is why I transferred my creative ambitions completely to painting.
Do the ideas for tattoos always belong to your clients?
Yes, of course. But sometimes, very rarely, they come and ask for something beautiful to come up with. Then I usually do what is currently in fashion.
And what is in fashion?
Inscriptions, geometry. Previously, people liked to have some objects painted. Or portraits of their beloved ones. Or something that expresses their inner world. Now they prefer abstract things.
Where do you find the inspiration?
Everywhere. You can draw the inspiration from anywhere. From our conversation for example. I am inspired by neuropsychology, the latest scientific studies of the human brain. I begin to better understand myself and how my body is functioning due to all these neural connections in the brain. And I try to reflect the functioning of my brain in my works.
You paint babies. What does this mean from a conceptual perspective?
This is my daughter. I paint her because I always have her before my eyes. And I am trying to display the idea of how we consume information by which we are constantly overloaded. Our brain absorbs information that is relevant for it. I see my child also as an information that is all the time in my head. When I decide to paint, the first thing that appears on a canvas is the most important thing for me at that given moment. If it’s true that the brain makes decisions for us, the best thing I can do is follow its lead while trying to trace with my consciousness to figure out why it happened.
How would you define the style of your works? Who has made the most impact on you creatively?
I am actively experimenting with different styles. I have recently invented a new approach to visualising the idea of information overload. This is some kind of new aesthetics. But I find it difficult to define my style. This is something I still need to invent and name. In terms of relating to someone’s art, Jackson Pollock is the only one who comes to my mind. It seems that he meant something similar to my thoughts with all his random brushstrokes. I love Dadaists as well.
What is the Internet space for you? What can it give a modern artist?
It is a source of information. I take data consciously and analyse it. I have an idea for a new art project. I want to make something like a scientific experiment in order to find out how people absorb information and what information they choose in certain conditions.
The reality today is digital. Do you think that a well-built artist’s presence on the web may be an alternative to offline exhibitions?
Perhaps it may. Probably very soon there will be cool virtual galleries with realistic visualisations. And who knows what artificial intelligence will give us. Maybe offline galleries will no longer exist.
Why did you decide to make your own website in the days of social media abundance? All the more you have a very popular Instagram account.
Personal website is a very good opportunity to structure information about my art. You can make a perfect portfolio here, unlike Instagram and other social media where everything is mixed up.
What is art for you – a hard work or an entertainment? Is there a routine in your everyday life?
I see what I am doing as a work and a routine. But they are entertaining and amusing me!
How to distinguish an artist from a non-artist?
The artist displays on the canvas his meaningful vision of life, some concepts. An artisan makes decorative items, some products that the average person would like. But still I believe that anyone can consider himself to be an artist. And it’s not even necessary for others to consider him an artist too.
Do you want others to consider you as a true artist?
Of course. I want to be famous. But I’ve only been painting for six months. There is feedback, but it’s still not enough. I hope there will be more and more «likes» for my artworks.
THE BLITZ
An object you can’t live without. My husband. Although he is not an object.
A character trait you value most highly. Mind. Curiosity.
Favorite book. «The Red pill» by Andrei Kurpatov.
Favorite color. Red.
Person (dead, alive or fictional) who influenced you the most. My husband again.
You have a minute face to face with Salvador Dali. What would you say/do? I would cover my face with my hands and scream!
What’s your idea of happiness? Moments of joy and euphoria.
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