INTERVIEW WITH NEA

For ARTLIFESTYLE / ARTDAILY / Google News

I'll start with a revelation. Here it comes:
Your artwork is rather impressive and truly magnificent, and I must admit that I have never seen anything like it!

Thank you; that is very nice of you. I am humbled and flattered.

But the biggest impression was made by your Seraphs with Down's Syndrome collection. This is an incredible idea! This fact alone is truly innovative—that no one could ever imagine that there could be angels with Down's Syndrome.
It surprised and shocked me at the same time! (I bought all three prints!) - IMHO, it echoes the normalization of the perception of "Sunny people" (as they are called) and their integration into society.
Well done!
How were these artworks created? Where did the idea come from?

You may not believe this, but I had no idea I was creating Seraphs with Down's Syndrome! I had not even a small hint during the whole process of creation! It did not cross my mind.
Just like you, I was shocked and surprised! The moment I looked at the final painting and observed it—the same seconds I realized these were Angels with Down's Syndrome!
I love these artworks very much!
✓Currently available are only Giclee HD prints / limited collection; lithographs and prints on paper are available upon request. Certain works can be reproduced but will look slightly different.

I see that you love and work mainly in mixed media style; can you please expand on the techniques and mediums you use?

I love oil mediums, as they are versatile and easy to work with. I would not like to reveal the detailed information about how I create my mixed media artworks; let's say it's a professional secret.

Yet, I can say that many works are composed of tens or even hundreds of small elements. - That's right, I put them together like mosaics and mix them mainly with oil. - In general I combine all kinds of mediums: oil, acrylic, photography, digitally created elements, 24 ct gold leaf, glitter, beads, pigments, etc.
Predominantly, I work with big canvases, yet we offer custom sizes per request for Giclee prints in my online shop.
✓An important note: you can buy my prints for the moment only at www. neaoir.com and nowhere else. Images I share online and on my website are in low resolution and presented in a way where the tops of the paintings are slightly cut off in order to protect copyrights. - If one day in the future my prints will be presented by any other store or gallery, we will make a special announcement on my website and provide the address where you can buy them in person. All my prints Must be signed by me.

I know that your painting "The Trinity" is considered a museum-category piece, and you don't want to sell it in a classic way, but run a silent auction and use the sum to open a chain of art therapy schools. Can you please shed some light on this plan?

That's correct. In general, I would much prefer to have this painting in a museum where everyone can enjoy it, not hidden in a room. It has a grandiose vibe to it. So the future buyer will actually buy the painting in order to donate it to a museum. It's the condition and it's the only reason why it's not yet sold.
Charity is my biggest passion, and I am open to donating my work to important charity causes. Please contact my manager via my website.

What would you say was the most memorable experience in the entire creation process of The Trinity painting?

I started painting a completely different theme: the irises. I really love irises. They are magnificent and royal. But then suddenly I erased the irises and started to draw faces of saints like the ones on Greek Orthodox icons. I still have a photo of what Adam looked like before the transformation! And then the absolute architect had a face. But I didn't like his face, and when I erased it in order to draw it again, I realized that he should not have a face as such or any pronounced features. We don't know what our creator might look like.

Also, this painting is impossible to capture. It has millions of sparks, and even a professional photographer gave up on this task, so I used only videos to show its depth. It must be experienced in person. The Angels look right into your soul and touch your very essence.

What did you want to express through your EX-MACHINA art collections?
(Seraph-Ex-Machina, Seraph-Ex-Humus, Seraph-Fashionistas, Seraph Down’s Syndrome)

I am not a religious person, but I do believe in Angels. In my humble opinion, these are the most beautiful divine creatures, along with the fabulous fairies and elves from our childhood, and they are the source of a magnificent and loving energy.
I wanted to create 21st-century Angels-Seraphs. The theme related to A.I., the Matrix, robots, machines, and technologies, which are intensively becoming part of our everyday lives.
Despite the rather intimidating appearance of my seraphs, they do have a pure and kind, albeit strong, energy, as they are the Warriors of Light.
Therefore, a lot of sparkles (glitters), light, and colors were used.
And, also, I wanted to debunk the generalized classical idea of what angels may actually look like. - After all, perhaps there are machines—angels.
So these collections represent the modern image of the Angels (Seraphs) through robotic and angelic elements (wings, halos), flowers, and glittery elements.

What do the names of your art collections mean?

Deus ex Machina is translated from Greek as "God from the Machine". - I called the collection "Seraphim -Ex -Machina" - meaning - Angels - from - the Machine.

Deus ex machina: [1] Greek: [ˈdɛ.ʊs ɛks ˈmaːkʰɪnaː]; (English "god out of the machine") - Angels -Machines.

Therefore you can witness in my work the use of robotic/machinary elements. Meanwhile these elements are combined with flowers and glitter, which indicate that they do have the soul, the kindness, and most importantly - they have life within them. Just a different kind of life energy, incomprehensible to us, humans.
✓A Seraph is a member of a group of angels called the seraphim (plural). Seraphic is a word meaning "angelic." Seraph: definition of angels of the first order

I'm very curious to know more about the collection Seraph-ex-Humus. Especially the famous "Woman in Red" work and “The scream”.

The word "Human" derives from the Latin word "humus,” meaning Earth or Ground.
Seraphim ex Humus - Angelic beings from the earth or ground
There are people who look like angels or saints. (And like devils too!)
I wanted to portray people with a very strong and special energy who can be angels on earth.
Perhaps they are sinful, but they are energy conductors; their energy comes from another dimension because there are no such vibrations on Earth and cannot be.
I chose photographs of people with the most powerful energy to mix with other elements, such as oil paint, golden leafs, etc
They all have different missions; some have a calming effect on the viewer and envelops them with Zen energy. Some remove the negative; some energizes, invigorates, or even heal.
Since it is difficult to find such people, this collection is still in progress.
- As for the Woman in Red
This work is intended to refute the notion that only a fully clothed or veiled woman can be a saint or an angel. - I wanted to break this stereotype and the dogmas of society. -
And in contrast to materialize my idea that saints or angels can look like a seductive, passionate, and naked goddess and it does not make the saints less divine nor less kind or compassionate.

I see in the artwork "Scream" a clearly readable and very deep emotion. - (I can literally "hear" him!) - It feels like a powerful scream that echoes all over the Earth. What's this artwork about?

When I saw this photo on a public domain photography website, I immediately understood what my work will be about.
This is a scream-cry of an angel. - A scream that cannot break through the barriers of the Matrix (the material world). - A Seraph who wants to wake people and touch their souls. He screams in pain, and his body fully reflects this pain, it can be detected in his body language, in his eyes.
Also, I marked this pain and suffering in red.
I created several works with this exact Seraph, with different backgrounds, and despite the fact that they look similar - each picture is about different things, but the message is the same: Humanity, wake up before it's too late.

The artwork with Seraph on a green background - what does it represent?

Seraphs see our reality differently than we do. - To them, our 3d dimensional World looks like a digital Matrix.
Seraph is from another dimension and invisible to the human eye. So he screams from another dimension into the Matrix but no one hears him and no one sees him either. -Because human hearts are closed down. Their souls are in the prison of their minds and consciousness.
There is also a second interpretation, it concerns humans this time. - This artwork can also be attributed to people who see the world differently and feeling lonely. They are invisible. It hurts. This is a scream of a lonely man in the Matrix, he screams: I am here! I am alive! Please look at me!

How does your extrasensory perception affect your art?

In general, I consider my paintings to be therapeutic and energetic.
For some people, it may be clear right away; for others, it may take a while if they have the desire to understand, feel, and connect to the energies of the artwork.
But I not only depict images from other, invisible worlds but also transfer energies. I really want my paintings to bring beautiful, loving, and kind energy into people's lives.

I have noticed an unusual detail for an artist. You don't have any pictures of yourself or a detailed biography. Is there any specific reason behind such a choice?

I might change this and engage with the public via Instagram, through artsy images of myself and spiritual messages.
I do not like exposing the art creation moments. It's an intimate process in my humble opinion.
I consider myself an outsider and a non-conformist. - I don't like to conform to standards and trends.
Maybe this is why I love the non-conformists-artists, such as Gustav Klimt. (Smile)
Also, I am an absolute cosmopolitan.
And I do not think that my biography and photo will or should make my paintings more valuable, interesting, or sellable. I want to stand out. (Smile.)
I want to be behind the scenes on the stage where my creations perform. I Let my artwork speak for me.
Yet, I am an empath, a balanced mix of an extravert and an introvert.

✓Cosmopolite": a person who is free from local, provincial, or national bias or attachment; a citizen of the world
The "cosmopolitan" term comes from two Greek words: "cosmos", the universe, and "polites", a citizen. Therefore, a cosmopolitan is a citizen of the world who recognizes the entire planet as their homeland rather than a single country.

How do you differentiate yourself from your competitors?

I simply do not create art thinking about competition and sales. I do it because it's one of the sources of making my energy circulate—through art in this case. Without doing anything specifically connected to your question here, every artwork is differentiated by energy.
I believe that every painting carries the energy of its creator. Energy is like the personal and very individual perfume of a person with a certain code. Almost like DNA or fingerprints—unique and unrepeatable. Therefore, even the same style or identically painted pictures have completely different energies.

What strategies do you use to overcome the inevitable roadblocks to moving forward with work?

In general, you have to just switch the program, as I call it, and do something else. Reboot. Switch between projects.
You have to leave the painting in peace, come back to it later, and just let your hands do the work without letting your mind control them.
If I feel very challenged by a piece, I might even start all over on a new canvas, expand on new ideas, and then compare.

Do you consider having any solo exhibitions or working with a gallery?

It's a very consuming operation in many senses. If there are such proposals in the future, I am open to them.

Are you currently working on any new collections?

I am working on two collections: One is connected to the Alien's language, sort of "logograms" and was inspired by the movie "Arrival".
The second one is related to the topic of creating therapeutic drawings that I want to use in my future art-therapy school for children and adults.
This collection arises spontaneously: I draw and suddenly understand that this picture is suitable for art therapy.
But everything can change and transform into something else. I never know exactly what I'm going to draw or the outcome once I start. I can't control or fixate on one theme. It's much deeper and more private, even cryptic in a way, than just a simple decision in the style of "This is what I want to create, or this will be the theme". It works differently for me.

Where do you find inspiration?

I'd say It finds me by itself, on its own terms.
It also happens that I see or hear something that triggers my imagination and turns it on.
But more often than not, inspiration comes from the inside out, not the outside in.
Still, IMHO, artwork is an expression, display, and image of the inner world of the artist.
External triggers can be music, people, colors, or nature.
IMHO, the deepest artworks are created when the artist takes images from his subconscious and fully relies on internal images.
When it comes to one of my latest collections and the painting "The Trinity," they were inspired by Greece and Christian art, in particular Byzantium and Byzantine mosaics.
As I said earlier, I love Angels very much. I have a special connection with them. I express this love, energy, and vision of angels through my paintings.

Do you ever experience burnout? How do you deal with this?

All you have to know is that there is no constant in human energy. It is changing, and it needs to be charged from time to time. If the peak of energy goes up for a long time and a person does not know how to stabilize it in order to remain at a constant and balanced value, the energy will undoubtedly go down because you have been burning a crazy amount of energy.
I am learning to achieve equilibrium, but there is one more law: in order to emerge above the water, you must push off from the bottom. (Smiling.)
You just need to know and realize when you are in such a state, not put any pressure on yourself, and take your time to recharge. There are many natural ways to reset: nature, trees, sea, river, water, mountains, new places, hikes, walks, and trips.

In what atmosphere and environment do you usually paint?

It's very important for me to have a lot of space, big windows, and light. Sometimes I work in complete silence; sometimes I turn on the music, from hip-hop to metallics and classics.
I love working with the Gymnopedies playing in the background. Very special music, in my opinion. It brings the best out of me, creates a fairytale atmosphere, and many powerful emotions flow.

✓The Gymnopédies, published in Paris starting in 1888, are three piano compositions written by French composer and pianist Erik Satie.

Do you think the artist sees the world differently?

In general, each person sees the world in his own unique way, I'd say.
But in art, most often or more commonly, people are so-called "Not of this world."
Perhaps in this case, their vision of the world differs from most, and it is special.
About myself, I can say that I perceive the world around me through the prism of my extrasensory abilities. But it requires a rather long and personal explanation.

Completing the painting, do you feel satisfaction, or do you feel sorry to part with it?

It really depends. Sometimes you enjoy the process so much that you want to work on the painting endlessly, but in general, I love new things, new challenges, and new tasks.

What character traits help you in your work?

For me, freedom is essential. I give myself permission to freely draw/create whatever I feel like, even if it doesn't make any sense.
Another trait that affects my work is Generosity. - I am always generous in everyday life, which means that I generously and joyfully give my energy to the process of creation.
And there is always a reward, which manifests in shapes, colors, vibes, and emotions on my canvases.
The next one is certainly self-confidence: believe in yourself, in the very process of creativity, and in your own hands. This is really important in any kind of job.
And also, I don’t focus on the material, i.e., on fame and recognition.
When you draw in order to transfer the image to the canvas and not for the sake of sale or recognition, it helps a lot to work smoothly without bouts of doubt if someone will eventually like your creation.

What are your favorite artists?

✓ Odilon Redon, ✓ Gustav Klimt, et ✓ Gustave Moreau
By the way - If you are in Paris, do not miss to visit the museum of Gustave Moreau and the exhibitions of Odilon Redon! -
✓ Gustave Moreau (1826 - 1898) was a French artist and an important figure in the symbolist movement. - Known for his erotic paintings of mythological and religious subjects.
✓Odilon Redon (1840-1916) Odilon Redon was a French symbolist painter. His painting in pastel colors and mysterious atmospheres appeals to our imagination.

What are or were your greatest fears when starting up or moving forward?

Stress comes from the fear that no one will understand or like your creation.
You must love it yourself, love the process, and love every brush. When you turn off fear and turn on loving energy, you have no stress, and you wave your energy into the painting.
I'd compare it to the experience of most parents when it comes to kids: when they are about to have a kid, they never think about whether he will be loved by others or not. (It's assumed, though!)
They love their baby unconditionally and focus on the happiness of having such a treasure in their lives. This analogy helps a lot to focus on the process. -

Tell us about your artist statement, and what do you want to show through your art?

"The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel."
Piet Mondrian.

My credo, to paraphrase Mondrian, is: To be a channel that transfers the divine and marvelous and makes it part of 3D reality.
With my paintings, I express what cannot be expressed in words. It has been proven that our brain cannot see what does not exist in nature. In fact, this is a very deep topic.
✓Piet Mondrian (1872–1944) was a Dutch painter and art theoretician who is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

What parting words or advice can you give to aspiring artists?

Do not try to do something "against" your essence. Learn in the technical sense and "listen" to yourself in the sense of your identity. Be brave! - Don't try to imitate. - “Art only begins where Imitation ends." Oscar Wilde