DPW Spotlight Interview: Oleksii Movchun

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Oleksii's painting, "Vitamins" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Oleksii's DPW Gallery:

I am Oleksii Movchun. I live and work in Ukraine. I have been into drawing since early childhood, when I could hardly remember myself. At the age of two, I produced my first significant and ambitious works - the walls of my room painted with a marker. Unfortunately, at that time critics didn't give me much credit for my creation. It was not until I tried myself in the sphere of architecture (I got my degree in architecture), was I able to find my true vocation - art. In recent years, I have been mainly engaged into painting, namely into writing portraits. Life, nature, a wealth of colors around us, the uniqueness of each person are the things I find particularly inspirational. I believe artist should portray subjects (people) as they perceive them. They must "fall in love" with what they see and make the audience "fall in love" with the created image.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

At the age of two, I produced my first significant and ambitious works - the walls of my room painted with a marker. Unfortunately, at that time critics didn't give me much credit for my creation.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

There was once a period when I didn’t touch a paint brush at all. Having graduated from the university, I started working as an architect. Only after being at that job for five years did I realise that I should change something about it and follow my true calling – painting. Three years ago, that moment came – an office was replaced with a cosy studio, and I could fully immerse myself into painting. You can’t escape from yourself.

Vitamins

(click to view)

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Oleksii's interview.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I like to work with both a paint brush and a palette knife. I have experimented with various genres, but I finally ended up painting portraits and still lifes - genres I derive most pleasure from.

Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?

Being honest, I didn’t quite enjoy working in the sphere of abstract painting. In my opinion, an artist should be versatile, which means being conversant with many techniques. Having said that,  it is delving deeper into one sphere that will lead him or her to success and self-fulfillment.

Would You Like Some Tea?
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

An uncharted area for me at present is landscape. Painter’s cases are biding their time.

Who or what inspires you most?

Nature is what inspires me, in all its manifestations and beauty. No sunrise is the same, no two landscapes are alike.

Pomegranate
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination for me has to do with the lack of a genuine interest and absorption in the process. Thus, there is always a temptation to put off something I don’t take pleasure in to a later time. Conversely, passion for painting prevents me from this, and I eagerly engage myself into the world of art.

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

I can’t say that I have some special techniques. Carving out time for my art – it all comes naturally, without extra efforts. Once I embark on a new painting, it’s hard for me to stop. Again, love of art is what drives me and combats any indolence.

Sliced Orange
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Staying mentally awake, conscious and observant, perceptive and open to anything – my formula to generate new ideas. Everything I come across in the daily life, every feeling and emotion, every thought that springs to my mind may be then expanded, developed, and translated into canvas.

How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

I believe that if you set yourself off on a quest for a relentless exploration and self-development, “freshness” in your art is inevitable. If you grow as a personality and a professional, you are always born anew, get inspired, and this pushes your works to a new level.

Silver Fish
(click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

I am now learning not just to copy the reality, but rather to convey my impressions and emotions.

What makes you happiest about your art?

It’s extremely rewarding and satisfying to see my own progress, set goals and pull them off. But I must say that the feeling of complacency is short-term and fleeting, as accomplishments shed light on new unexplored areas – and it happens again and again. :)

Thanks, Oleksii!

© 2017 Sophie Marine