Today we’d like to introduce you to Evgeniya Golik.
Hi Evgeniya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in what was USSR back then in a Russian-Ukrainian family. Having witnessed Perestroika political ideology break down and all the hardship that came with it definitely had an impact on my identity. Since I was a little kid, it was pretty clear that drawing, painting, creating something with my own hands were my favorite activities of all. I guess it was my way of escaping reality in a magical safety bubble, and that’s why fantasy and surreal became the language of self-expression for me. I graduated Art School at the age of 17, and having studied at the Far Eastern State Technical University in Vladivostok, graduated and earned a degree in Design and Architecture. While I was still a student, I got opportunity to be selected as part of creative team for Pacific Rim Park project that took place in China in 2001. We, as an international group under guidance of James Hubbell and San Diego-based Ilan-Lael foundation, were designing and building a theme park on the coast of Pacific Ocean. This project has changed my life forever. It was where I found not only lifetime friends but a partner to share life with. As a result, eventually, I moved to this beautiful city San Diego, that I call home ever since. To be honest, it took me some years to figure out what my artistic path is, and that involved having “real” day jobs in design, architecture, advertising fields. But nothing made me as happy as when I was creating art on my free of office time. So, after a while I’ve collected courage to start showing my paintings and drawings to the public on social media and in local galleries, museums. To my surprise career as an artist took off very quickly, and I’ve been full-time independent creator (fine arts painter, illustrator, muralist, body painter, educator) since 2015. It is a true blessing to find your calling in this world, knowing that you are exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you meant to do! I am grateful for all the challenges, all good people, all places, and all opportunities that came my way and shaped me in a person I am now.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, it wasn’t a smooth ride. It seems like in life, nothing great comes effortless. One of the factors to mention is that I didn’t come from the rich well-connected family; I had to earn every opportunity through hard work and effort to master my talents and skills. Another factor is that at the age of 24, I had to start my life all over again in another very different country, adapt to other language and mentality. Being an immigrant and forever English learner is not always easy, career-wise too. International politics constantly add another curve ball to it. And then there is always that work/life balancing, business owners wives and especially moms will understand me here. Plus, artistic gift comes with higher level of sensibility, compassion, and vulnerability, tendency to overthink, over-feel, over-complicate. I know I’m not alone in this. Artists oftentimes are way too hard on themselves. And that factor definitely adds to the challenge, but I think it is essential to being an artist. From all this palette of emotions, we create something that resonates with a lot of people in different times of their life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
It’s hard to put a certain label on what I do creatively and define my style, but if I had to give it a name that would be Neo-Renaissance. I owe artistic gene to my father, who was an architect, but I thank my mom, who is a librarian, for surrounding me with amazing books of well-illustrated fairytales and art history compilations since my childhood. Because of that I found my inspiration and formed my style early through studying European Renaissance, Orthodox icons, Slavic folklore, Western esotericism, world’s ancient myths. And, of course, living in a modern culture has its effect on everything I do. As a result, my art entwines classic realistic sensibility within a contemporary setting. I am a multi-media creator, but my work always joins real-world portraiture with imaginative and often surreal narratives to highlight and reveal my subject’s essence.
I’ve been working notably with The Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA), Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD), New Americans Museum (NAM).
My art has been exhibited in various Galleries within the USA and Europe, as well as being published and commissioned by private collectors internationally.
Currently not represented by any gallery exclusively, however, big portion of my originals is exhibited on a wall space at Distinction Gallery, Escondido.
Last year I’ve collaborated with local brand Trust Me Vodka, and together we’ve created large mural “Liberty,” in Down Town San Diego (1st & Ash) as a gift to the city. I’m very proud of this project as it represents unity and peace.
As of the latest, I’ve been published in Astrology (The Library of Esoterica) book by Taschen, which would be available internationally in four languages. In a present moment, I’m working on my own Tarot Card Deck, which would be sold worldwide. And I’m a part of illustrators’ team on the very exclusive project for one Chicago’s publisher – heirloom edition of “Twas the night before Christmas,” dedicated to 200 anniversary of this story. This book would be released in 2023.
Last but not least, my Solo Show is coming in 2024 at Sparks Gallery (San Diego).
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
At the beginning of my art career, I was ambitious, I wanted it all, and I wanted it now. I had goals around being well-known, well-paid artist and was ready to compromise. With time I realized that reaching certain goals not always comes with the expected satisfaction, especially if compromises are made. The most important thing for me in creating now is to simply have fun in the process. And that kind of joy only comes when you stay true to yourself, without doing something that is popular that you may think other people want to see, but through genuinely telling your authentic story, your vision, feelings you are going through. People resonate with that openness, and all pieces fall into the right places in time it supposed to.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.evgolafineart.com
- Instagram: @evgola
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evgola
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@evgola
Image Credits
Gala Semenova
