Congratulations to Yuliya Odukalets for earning her place as a Winner in the Boynes Monthly Art Award [September Edition]!

Who are you?

I am a person with unfulfilled desires from childhood.

I've always wanted to be different, not adhering to rules and standards. Who comes up with them anyway? My school notebooks are filled with drawings, starting from the back, up to where lessons were written. I attended an art school but never became a student at the Academy of Arts. These are delayed ambitions, realizing that mere desire is not enough—it came too late. Later, I understood that the time won't come until I take action. So, I take action. Intuitively, I knew I had to understand myself first in this journey. That's when I encountered Yulia Dogan and her conceptual thinking course, "More Than Painter." Thanks to the course, I started on the right path without wasting time.

What inspired you to utilize painting as a medium?

The inspiration to use painting as a medium arose from the absence of exposure to oil painting during my art school days. The softness and flexibility of oil as a medium, along with its captivating ability to move paint, fascinated me. However, the lack of formal art education led to challenges and self-doubt, especially in facing the fear of public exposure. Recognizing the importance of a good teacher, I was fortunate to find not one but two mentors, Volodymyr and Olena Ilyichovy, and their school of modern painting, Aurum. With their guidance, I am addressing long-standing desires, refining my technique, mindset, and self-discipline in exchange for valuable support and understanding.

How would you describe your ARTwork?

Each person's art is themselves and their experiences. My art is filled with adventurous spirit, channeled into positive thinking. Viewers should feel a connection with the artwork, consciously and subconsciously seeing their insights. Therefore, a positive experience is preferable. My approach to engaging with viewers allows me to say, "You are not alone!"

Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?

In the moment of creating the artwork, our country was in the midst of a war. It was impossible to avoid a surge of emotions; I wanted to shout! Loud emotions are red, and my rule is to remind people of the good.

Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your winning work?

I began with an abstraction of impasto cadmium red spots on the canvas—a free-expression layer with almost no rules. While these spots dried, I sketched compositions, and that's when poppies bloomed, leading to the idea of the Amulet. I applied a mixture of colors and shades corresponding to the planned composition on the dried cadmium layer. These mixtures blend together on the canvas using a blade: the paint easily presses and stretches in various directions, from top to bottom. So creates vibrations of colors and a sense of air and space.

The next stage involved extracting cadmium spots, creating variety in forms.

Based on this, I outlined the main details of the composition. Finishing according to the laws and rules of painting, the artist's desires, and vision. This technique with spots helps create not only emotional works but also prevents over-detailing, crucial for beginners.

Оne of the important stages is studying the structure of a plant to understand its essence and create sketches of landscapes and other drawings from nature.

Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?

In the creation of a work, it's important to learn to stop in time, walk away, and not return for corrections. With this technique, it's bolder to work on larger canvases. But first ensuring spots are dry enough to maintain their form.

Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?

I think that success is composed of small steps. Julia Dogan taught me to see insights. Each time I sense a new insight or recognize "my" people and teachers, I'm reassured that I'm on the right path. My intuition guides me clearly, and I'm grateful.

What projects are you working on currently? Can you discuss them?

My main project today is personal growth and self-improvement. Specifically, I am refining the technique of multi-layered painting, collecting objects for still lifes, and exploring literature on art.

What is your dream project or piece you hope to accomplish?

I really enjoy art gatherings, and interacting with colleagues. I dream of having my own studio for creating projects with other artists, or collaborative ones, to organize workshops, exhibitions, and art evenings.

As a winner, do you have any advice for artists who want to submit to awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?

Analyze opportunities and conditions, adhere to requirements, and constantly improve as an artist and as a person.

Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?

Act if you haven't yet: combine desires and ambitions, add persistence, and act. Art knows no boundaries or limits; each of us is unique, and the world needs new artists.

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