Artist Profile: Nadezhda Strelkina
By Angela Roberts
Oct. 24, 2011
Recently, a fan referred us to the artwork of Russian artist Nadezhda Strelkina. Her striking paintings remind us of British artist Josephine Wall’s works, who we interviewed back in February. Both have an interesting approach to colour, detail, and both create works of surpassing beauty. Ms. Strelkina was gracious enough to share some of her works and her time with The Gloaming.
Angela: How did you get started as an artist?
Nadia Strelkina: I was born to a family of artists, in a village of artists - the motherland of Russian lacquer [painting], Fedoskino. So I grew up in an atmosphere of painting. I began painting before I began speaking.
A: What is your preferred medium?
N: My favorite medium is oil painting.
A: Is there a medium you've always wanted to try or that you would like to try but haven't gotten around to it?
N: Digital art is appealing to me, but I am still very far from it.
A: What are your influences?
N: [Most] of all, I am influenced by the old masters.
A: Do you have a favourite piece of artwork? One that you still look at and think, "This is amazing"?
N: My favourite [piece] is always the latest image I am working on.
A: Can you tell us about your first professional sale? How did it come about?
N: I have 30 years experience in painting, so I can't remember my first sale. What impressed me the most was the sale of my first license. The creation of the highly acclaimed "Symphony of Angels" porcelain plate collection for the Bradford Exchange won me the prestigious "1997 Collector's Choice New Artist of the Year" award.
A: Do you get ideas from texts or just from your imagination?
N: Only my imagination.
A: Do you have any advice for young artists?
N: Young people should go into art only if they can't do without it! In this case, they will be genuine artists.
A: Can you tell us anything about your current projects?
N: Now I am working on a series of fantasy images for LPF, an American puzzle company. Puzzles with my images will be available in 2012.
Some more of Nadia's work:
Magic Fire
Water-leu
Book Fairy
Water Faery
To see more of Nadezhda's work, visit her website.