One's life is marked by the impressions that the person collects in her life. They could stay vivid more or less all the time in the cycle of life, from the very early age to the late adulthood. Although not in chronological order, they define some chronology in her mind and life, depending on her acceptance or rejection of things. Nuanced with particular depth of feelings, they grow new branches in hope of a better fruit. Such impressions, mixed with person's and life historical order bring the rhythm in our life.
I grew up in Bulgaria and after my MFA graduation from the University of Veliko Tarnovo, I moved to the USA. To this day, the atmosphere under which the city was built, years after years, in terrace after terrace above a meandering river, always stayed like mirror image, even when I was so far away. The impressionistic paintings from the river forever have filled my desire to be an artist. I don't know whether a town with so many artists or young people, did make my soul so soaring and dreaming.
Everybody has a particular sensitivity about constructing or delivering a piece of art, a piece of her soul. It is a process of giving everything, opening in a more intimate way, a conversation first with myself. I was raised with the idea always to seek what is the meaning of life, what is the most important in every living situation. My hard work since the beginning of my artistic education taught me about the most positive and important steps for building as an artist and finding yourself as a person.
In my academic work, I concentrated completely on working on still-lifes, portraits, one or two figure drawings, and paintings, as well as free compositions. In the process of trying to find myself, my hard work was rewarded and I was granted with Open Society scholarship for high academic achievements from Soros Foundation.
Later, the life road decided to check my strength and raised in front of me many obstacles. Along with familiarizing myself with new techniques through some workshops on the other continent, I was dealing with motherhood and family life. Everything was quite new for me and far away. Here I discovered my new passion for pure water and the natural patterns and rhythm that the technique of suminagashi shows. Papermaking and art bookmaking extended my collection of knowledge.
Moving, travels, family grabbed my attention and eventually the destiny sent me to a printmaking center in upstate New York. I followed my father's steps. I became a printmaker for a while. I made charcoal drawings and prints. The huge animal skeletons at various museums fascinated me with their interesting forms and I was rediscovering the Earth’s natural history- so important for our life. By knowing the past, we can learn about the future and ecology. In my prints, I wanted to express the ever-connected forces in nature, ever changing life and the cosmic beginning. I showed my works on solo and group exhibits at the Ink Shop Printmaking Center and The Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, NY.
A little bit later I experimented with suminagashi technique and collage on canvas, as well as installation and its resemblance of wood patterns. This approach for seeking the natural flow of things and their simple beauty guided my artistic endeavor. I showed my works in my native city of Veliko Tarnovo.
With my children growing and introducing my daughter to musical instruments, I revived my own childhood passion for music. I learned to play piano as a child. From that point on until now, most of my work that I created, mostly charcoals and pastels but also paintings, was on a music theme. A new violin at home, even a children’s instrument, can awaken old dreams. I would discover that it is never too late to start learning to play violin even as an adult. Through the years, I had different ideas within the music theme and I titled my solo exhibits, Like Sacred Figures, Music House, The Luthier, and Listen. I showed my works at Agora Gallery, NY, Veliko Tarnovo Gallery, Bulgaria, and at Community Arts Partnership, at the History Center in Ithaca NY.
