Today we’d like to introduce you to Silvia Vassileva.
Hi Silvia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
At a very early age, 3 or 4, I loved looking through the pages of the thick art books at home. The Renaissance Masters always left me breathless! Later, in my elementary school, the walls of the long hallways were covered with framed reproductions, and during recess, I was running up to the third floor to see the French impressionists and Van Gogh. I loved art, and I knew that is what I want to do. The first art class I took at the age of 12, just made my childhood dream become a clear decision, a goal, and a commitment. I did not change my mind for decades! As I evolved as a human being and an artist, my technique and themes were constantly changing. What never changed was my strong believe that art is an expression of our own individuality, a translation of the reality we see, and a reflection of our feelings.
I love painting alla prima, letting my spontaneity lead me through the process. Classically trained with oil paint, at later age, I discovered acrylics. They allow my mind and hand to be more in tune! I never paint on stretched canvases because I love hard surface under my canvas.
As a published artist, I paint daily. The prints of my art are distributed around the world, and the originals are represented at six galleries. My paintings can be found in numerous corporate and private collections; TV sets – Oprah, Lady Gaga, Jay Leno, etc.; movies – George Clooney’s The Ides of March, etc.: magazines – Art Business News, Art World News, Decor, Elle Decor, Veranda, Architectural Digest, Carmel Valley News, etc.
I was born, raised, and educated in Bulgaria, later I lived for six years in Japan and since 1996 I live in San Diego, California. Living on three different continents, experiencing different cultures, and traveling the world enriched my artistic vision and style.
I find inspiration everywhere – the things I see, the way I feel; a painting can be triggered by a poem or a tune…I believe that creating art is a necessity for my soul, feelings, and sensitivity. My goal is to take the viewer through the whole process – from the reality through its transformation in my mind, through the expression of my own feelings, to the new reality on the canvas. My style is free and bold. I love contrast, sudden changes of color, unusual color palettes: everything that makes a painting come ALIVE.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all a smooth road! At first, my parents were against art school – in Eastern Europe, these are high schools where in addition to the regular high school curriculum, art is taught at a very high level; these schools are 4 or 5 years, unlike the regular ones. I am glad I never obeyed, and I was accepted in. Then came the most difficult entrance exam at the Art Academy – a very prestigious and desirable school for higher education and MFA degree. After that came another struggle – while living in Japan for six years and raising two young children, painting was almost not possible. Another big struggle was after we moved to the US, and I realized how different the art world is operating here and how the common believe is that artists can’t make a living. I was lucky that I got a paid job as an artist’s assistant for the prestigious Phoenix Art Group. The lack of freedom was almost a daily struggle for the two years I worked there however the biggest struggle began after our studio was closed and we were laid off – I became a freelance artist at the most difficult time, right after 9/11, 2001. From 2002, I am represented by a major publisher; currently, in addition to my publishing and licensing contracts, I sell my originals through six galleries; however, although the years of big struggles are over, there are small ones, as a reminder that being an artist is a blessing, but it requires huge strength and persistence.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Fine art, painting.
I am known for the very wide range of subject matter I cover – from abstract to representational. I am most proud that for more than two decades I succeed to be among the best-selling artists in the decorative market – thousands of my prints sell worldwide, and that is more difficult than selling one original painting.
My most proud moment is when somebody who is a native speaker, born, raised, and educated here, asks me for advice how to make it as an artist!!!
Besides the fact that I am capable to make a living as an artist, my ability to paint daily for hours my discipline, I guess, set me apart…
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
I am a big risk-taker and as such, I firmly believe that without some bravery, one cannot survive as an artist, no matter where in the world.
Starting from my childhood when my fanatic love for art did not let me foresee how hard my future could be, then the choice of publisher – from the two companies that offered me a contract, I chose the one everybody was advising me against, risky decisions are the best ones of my professional life.
Risks are not for everybody – they require stamina, confidence, sometimes even craziness. The risk-taking ability has a lot to do with the personality of the artist; however, in my case, this is what worked and took me to where I am today.
Pricing:
- From $250 for 12×12
- To $6,000 for 50×70 custom commission
Contact Info:
- Website: www.silviavassilevaart.com
- Instagram: @silviavassilevaart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilviaVassilevaArt/
- Other: https://www.singulart.com/en/artist/silvia-vassileva-6223?view=serie
