What helps you to keep inspired and creative?
Inspiration is everywhere for me, it could be the colour of someones clothing, to petals on a flower. I never struggle to stay inspired because I am led by colours I see and how I am feeling mentally does the rest. What happens with me is every now and then I lose the ability to make good paintings! That is when you need to take a break and step back and remember why you are making something, go back to your inspiration and research. Stay true to yourself, the original idea, and don’t get influenced by trends or what you are seeing on Instagram.
What is beauty to you?
That is a question with many layers Yelena!
Raw, unspoilt landscapes is the purest beauty to me. That peaceful calm of gentle waves splashing against the shoreline with no other soul or building in sight. Walking through protected natural parks where all you can hear are the sounds of the birds, insects and maybe the odd howler monkey. The tallest trees in a dense cloud forest which make you feel so insignificant as they tower above you and protect the planet. I’ve been so lucky & privileged that I have been able to travel so much and experience the depths of jungles and most remote beaches. I think that is beauty to me.
Share with us your personal self-care tips?
Lena Wild top-secret new face oil which I’ve now run out of because I was one of her willing testers. The smell of it made my day instantly better.
Coconut oil instead of moisturiser.
Yoga. I’ve just started it in lockdown as I’d been cut off from my usual exercise and it’s changed everything. I feel so strong and able to organise my thoughts better. I’ve finally realised what all the fuss was about!
Baths. I love a relaxing bath after a day at the studio. My work is very physical and everything usually aches at the end of the day, especially in winter! So a bath with Epsom salts and a face mask is dreamy.
