Sunlight. I couldn't get enough of it growing up in beautiful but cloudy Siberia. Long and cold months of a dormant world elongated my perception of time, and it felt like I was hibernating within it. When summer finally arrived, with abundant sunlight, the pristine beauty of Siberian nature awakened into a magical place as if making up for the sun-starved days of winter. I loved observing how the light passed through the chlorophyll, transforming nature into a colorful tapestry of illuminated cathedrals. During those moments, it felt like I found the perfect nexus of time, space, and connection to something vast and beautiful.
This emotional response to the light is essential in my paintings. I depict it by weaving sunlight's sensation into the magnified scopes of the natural world. This zoom-in perspective signifies a deeper, more intimate connection with nature, like a child who instinctively buries their face in their mother's hug, seeking the warmth and comfort of her presence.
My choice of transparent pigments is intentional. Their chemical properties allow the light to pass through the veils of color, hitting the white gesso and returning with its vibrancy and luminosity. This process not only resembles my narrative but also echoes what is going on in nature. The scarcity of light led me to understand the necessity of the dark. This contrast, the tension between the opposites, is one of the main formal aspects of my mixed-media work. This interplay takes many forms: light vs. dark tones, delicate glazing vs. impasto applications, and vibrant translucent hues vs. opaque neutral tones. This exploration of contrasts adds depth and complexity to my work, reflecting a beautiful balance and harmony in nature. The light serves as an ethereal medium with which I seek to create a contemplative space, a sanctuary that nurtures a deeper spiritual connection with the divine.
