DPW Spotlight Interview: Yana Golikova

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Yana's painting "Mandarin" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Yana's DPW Page:

[Painting] was the best feeling and from that time it remains this way. Moving to America brought me many opportunities to express myself as an artist and show my work. I am specializing in representational oil painting. My primary subject is Still Life, but my work also includes figure, portraiture and landscapes. I paint mostly from life and the live models. I regularly participate in exhibitions and competitions, where my work has garnered awards. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I was born in Siberia, Russia. Growing up there surrounded by magnificent nature encouraged me to really appreciate it, feel it and truly love it. I could never get used to this beauty. As a young kid, every time I would see something inspiring, I was looking for a way to keep it in my memory. That is when a spark for art lit up in my heart. Painting and drawing was the best way to capture the moment and share it with others.



Mandarin
(click to view)

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

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career? What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Even though I always loved drawing and painting, it stayed as a hobby for many years. After finishing college (Business Management), I relocated to the United states which brought me the opportunity to come back to art. I started to explore different materials (graphite, colored pencils, pastel) and subjects (people, animals, landscapes). Even though I taught myself a lot I felt that it was not enough and I decided to go to art school (The Art Students' League of New York), which really helped me to grow as an artist. I had an amazing teacher who taught me representational oil painting. I also learnt a lot from my fellow students who had years of experience. My primary subject was still life but I also painted people since we always had life models.


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

While I was at school I didn’t have much time to use any other mediums but oil. Right now I mostly use oil and pastel. I like colored pencils as well but they are very time consuming which is why I don’t use them as often.

Clouds on a Sunny Day
(click to view gallery)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I tried and have almost all. The only one I might give a better try one day is Watercolor (which I also have. I’m addicted to art material haha).



Who or what inspires you most?

I cannot pick one. I always look around and find beauty everywhere. I love animals, I love to observe people’s faces, I love nature, even a fruit from the grocery store or some old vase or a jar I spotted somewhere makes me want to paint it. Also other artists’ work.

Olivia
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Social media can be very great if you can concentrate on the important content and keep track of time. I’m still working on mastering it. Also when you have several commissions at the same time but not the best photos.

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

Having a deadline or traveling plans. Not turning on the TV. Staying positive. When you are happy it’s much easier to be inspired and stay focused.

Lilacs
(click to view gallery)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I just listen to my inner self - whatever desire I have in my heart at the moment. I often paint commissions too where the decision is already made. I also save pictures that I love from the Internet and follow artists whose work I admire.


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

I often switch mediums and subject matters - it helps me to keep a “fresh view” as well as to not get burnout. Sometimes I work on few paintings at the same time. Taking workshops or watching instructional DVDs is also helpful.

Bella
(click to view)


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

There is so much more to learn and it’s ok to make mistakes in the process.


What makes you happiest about your art?

The process of creating something that was not there before is magical. Also seeing the reaction of the people who are viewing my work especially when I create custom portraits is priceless. To be able to make somebody happy with your art is a true blessing.

Thanks, Yana!

© 2019 Sophie Marine