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Q&A WITH DIELLA VALLA

By /ART/, /INTERVIEW
Text

@purplehazebunny

Q&A WITH DIELLA VALLA

1. When did you realise you wanted to become an artist?

As my parents tell me, I started drawing little sketches when I was about 3 years old, but I began painting and illustrating fashion illustrations when I was about 9 years old. I always loved painting and was interested in my grandpa’s and my dad’s artworks, as they are painters as well. I was   ready to analyze the little details of their works by that time. When illustrating I was and still am fascinated from natural silhouettes, poses and famous painters’ work which also became a became as a big inspiration to me.

2. Which artists would you cite as your influences?

There are many painters and many illustrators who’s work has had a big impact and influence on me. My favorite painter is Gustav Klimt while my favorite illustrator is Rene Gruau. When I see Klimt’s painting seems like I’m in another world. His paintings have deep meaning – beautiful tones, dots, shapes, moves and on top of this all, golden color. That means everything to me and to many other people in the world as it is one of the most inspirational artists. Every painting of him fascinates me! His amazing work shaped in many styles such as pointillism has influenced me into exploring other styles such as pointillism. That is the main reason why many of my paintings are done in pointillism style. On the other hand, Rene Gruau,  as an amazing and unforgettable illustrator pushed me into turning my little sketches into real illustrations. I’m in love with his silhouettes and accents in his painting and I think that his painting style had a big effect into many artists’ work today including the motives he has lead to all of the other fashion designers to achieve their dreams.

3. Do you have a specific technique?

I have worked in many techniques and I can’t really specific any of it, because it is usually combined techniques that I use in my artworks. I often use watercolor for illustrating, but acrylic, oil colors or tempera for painting. It doesn’t usually cause any problem in which technique I am working with, it’s always about the motive I have.

4. What artwork/project are you most proud of and why?

I have done many artworks, illustrations, sketches and paintings as you can also follow me on social medias and you can be informed for every piece of it, because I am ready to share with everyone my work at any time. I can’t really specific any of my paintings cause in all of them it’s a little piece of spirit I have given to make it. It takes a while to think and decide which one I would choose. As my painting touch many topics such as feminism, I would like to mention my realism painting “The African Girl”. In this painting I have tried to express all my feelings for feminism and empower women for protecting their rights.

5. Finally, in the time of COViD – 19 what is the main message you want to share? 

I know that everyone has had difficult times and it’s a lot that’s going on lately with covid 19.Many people getting sick, many countries having difficulties in many spheres ,but I think that everyone should be safe in these times, take care of their health and be productive as much as they can.

For all the artists in the world I think it’s time that their motivation needs to be shown in their paintings. Get your papers, colors and canvas and get in to action! Your work may be a big inspiration for other people and may give them motivation  in these times to start something new, to look into new activities, into discovering new talents. Also, try to  read, paint, check out new tutorials, learn something new, do something you didn’t have the time to! Give the message to everyone that creative  work matters, show them your art and the pain for all the pandemic times we are having.

Interview with photographer Dusya Sobol

By /ART/
Text

Irina Rusinovich

Photo

Dusya Sobol

Interview with photographer Dusya Sobol

How did you get into photography?

I came to photography after I’ve been trained as an artist in Saint Petersburg Art
School Nicholas Roerich and Saint Petersburg Art and Industry Academy. I drew
a lot, was engaged in painting and design, but after a while I found a new
language for my ideas expression in photography. For over 17 years I’ve been in
love with this profession.

How would you define beauty in а paragraph or less?

One of the most important words for me is “beauty”. I can find it anywhere,
whether it’s a graphic monochrome of ancient building facades or freckles
gradient on the face of my model. Due to this ability, I easily find an inspiration
for the new projects and try to implement them as soon as possible.

Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your passion?

My profession helps to combine art and travel, various shooting techniques and the
craziest ideas, colour and graphics. Since I discovered a black and white photo and
manually printed my first photo, I realized that this is a long term relationship.

Tell us about the spaces within which you live and work.

I am fed by two cities — St. Petersburg and Berlin. First one is my hometown and
second is a city of my dreams, where I’m lucky to live now. I also travel to Reykjavik,
New York and Paris quite often. These cities give me strength and energy to create.

Do you have a routine or rituals as you work? 

Preparation for the shooting is very important for me: reference, location, light,
colour, style, detail and mood — i pay a lot of attention to all aspects. During the
working process I am very focused and I try to control everything. But only till the
middle of the shoot. Because after the main tasks are solved and everyone exhaled
I can shoot more freely and relaxed. Usually the truth is somewhere in between.

How would you define your personal aesthetic?

My aesthetics is subject to periods: now it is the purity of lines, idealism, harmony,
softness, a search for the decisive moment in combination with skill and
professionalism.

How important is the presentation of your work?

Presentation is also very important. During my work, I’ve built a strong brand that
clearly works in Russia. If this is a commercial project, the output is high-quality
printing, branding and a beautiful package. If this is an exhibition, I will arrange it
personally, because usually I know for sure what result i want to get.

Which artist of the past would you most like to meet?

My pipe dream is to get acquainted with Irving Penn, to assist him on the set to
understand his thinking process when he creates a picture. The versatility of his
work and periods — creative, commercial and magazine, his life and career path
are ideal for me at the moment. I am also inspired by artistic works of Auguste
Rodin, Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian.

Can you tell us about the process of making your work?

Before starting the work, I always collect a reference, seek the the colour I
paintings, I look over contemporary art works. I form a team of like-minded
people for each shooting separately. I try to do my best.

What advice would you give to a young artist following in your steps?

The main advice for a junior photographer is the same as for a junior artist. Shoot,
watch, burn and shoot again. Search for your own style, handwriting, language of
embodiment. When you have something to say in art, the rest is just a matter of
time.

Text Editor in Chief Irina Rusinovich
Follow Dusya Sobol @dusiasobol  Dusiasobol.com

Textile Designer: Melody Hesaraky „POSTPONED“

By /ART/
Textile Designer: Melody Hesaraky "POSTPONED"

Inspired by the current situation in New York City these illustrations are portraying how it feels to be quarantined. Everything I have been reading lately starts with “ Due to COVID-19.. IT IS CANCELED“
It is time to be sensible and inspire each other.

POSTPONED

SOUND OF SILENCE

like my other illustrations music was one of the leading forces while creating these illustrations. This time at home on my headphones! But it was still piowerful and magical.

Music has created impetus and inspiration for this series of my fashion illustrations. I wished to produce a pure and transcendental art form and not just use a familiar image! I use music as an analogy or metaphor in my designs and artistic expression. By listening to music and emulating it in my work, I have discovered unconventional techniques in my pattern designs and art-making approach. Like music, my work was created from the depth of my inner self and the purest way to express this is letting the rhythm leads what I draw.

POSTPONED

DISTANCE RESISTANCE

COVID-19

These fashion illustrations are visually communicating the magic of music. You can perhaps dream without words and fly through time and space without moving by looking at them. Some of them were created in different music venues while listening to the music and some are the results of remembering that experience.

IG: @melodyhesaraky
FB: Melody Hesaraky
WB: www.melodyhesaraky.com 
TW: @melodyhesaraky