Creative Process Behind the Art
Each photo takes from 1 week to several months of planning and preparations: thinking through the story and the plot, planning the color scheme, sketching, scouting for locations, creating the props, choosing the suitable wardrobe, looking for the right makeup and hairstyle looks and then blending it all together. In some cases, a whole team is involved in the shooting process.
For those, who want to go deeper
The shooting: I never use stock imagery to create my art (at least for now), I shoot all the details myself right there on location, so when everything is combined in the final piece the artwork looks as realistic as possible, no matter how surreal it might seem at a first glance. I pay close attention to shooting all the details in one and the same light, because the light is the soul of a photograph, even when (or even more so) it is not a mere shot, but a complex composite image.
The editing: Digital editing is a big part of the creative process. It is usually done 2-3 months after the shooting has been completed. This allows me to reevaluate and deepen my initial intentions and ideas. I get into a different setting, when I am completely alone with my thoughts and emotions and away from the distractions and interactions present on location. Now it's only my input and my story. Often the whole initial concept might be changed when I work on an image in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Creation in two ways: I have two types of creative processes and I love them both. The first one is when I have a clear idea in mind, a sketch, all the details figured out before the actual shoot and in this case the major creative part is happening even before the shoot. The second one is when I’m free-flowing on location, exploring all the opportunities of what the landscape in front of me provides and that my model kindly offers. In this case it’s a pure experiment, which can work out or not. Here a big part of creation is happening during editing. I open my files, and get surprised. More often then not I will see things that got in my frame accidentally, without me consciously noticing them during the shoot: lines, patterns, clouds, objects, animals, people. Now, when I have time to see them in all their mystery and beauty, I can play with them and extract something completely unexpected even for me from the image.
Behind the Scenes: I begin to shoot less and less of behind-the-scenes production material, as I feel that it ruins the magic of the moment on location as well as the magic of perception when you first encounter an artwork. This magic is precious and needs to be honored and cherished.
Limited edition artwork on museum-quality Hahnemühle Bamboo FineArt Paper (290 gsm, 90% bamboo fibers, 10% cotton), signed and numbered on the front and on the back, embossed with an authenticity stamp, comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.
Story & Message:
Memories return to us in the most unexpected times. They may have taken place in the past, but we can feel the pain even in the present. The wounds in our heart remind us of the things we are desperately aching for – to return or to let go forever. These memories may feel like a burden on our shoulders, so it is understandable that we want to run away from them. But if we just hold them and fold them with forgiveness and understanding, we will get back on our trail. The trail that takes us back to our authentic self.
From my project “Life of Folds”
Origami is the art of turning a plain sheet of paper into practically any shape. The transformation of a piece of paper into virtually anything made me think of how we as humans tend to turn plain facts and life situations into positive or negative ones when we react to them emotionally.
In this series, origami represents emotions that can sometimes be overwhelming, drive you in some direction, make you act a certain way. You can’t fight them. If you try, you will fail. So many of us have unresolved emotions from our childhood that drag us down and turn into miserable human beings. You can only be at peace with yourself when you acknowledge these emotions, observe them, let them be, and pass through you.
Available in sizes and editions:
50 x 50 cm (19.7 x 19.7 in.) - #2 of 12
70 x 70 cm (27.6 x 27.6 in.) - 4
100 x 100 cm (39.4 x 39.4in.) - 2
Limited edition artwork on museum-quality Hahnemühle Bamboo FineArt Paper (290 gsm, 90% bamboo fibers, 10% cotton), signed and numbered on the front and on the back, embossed with an authenticity stamp, comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.
Story & Message:
In its metamorphosis from the common, colorless caterpillar to the exquisite winged creature of delicate beauty, the butterfly has become a metaphor for transformation and hope; across cultures, it has become a symbol for rebirth and resurrection, for the triumph of the spirit and the soul over the physical prison, the material world. Those transformations might be and often are very painful, but when the change is complete we can see all the grace behind the scars.
From my project “Life of Folds”
Origami is the art of turning a plain sheet of paper into practically any shape. The transformation of a piece of paper into virtually anything made me think of how we as humans tend to turn plain facts and life situations into positive or negative ones when we react to them emotionally.
In this series, origamis represent emotions that can sometimes be overwhelming, drive you in some direction, make you act a certain way. You can’t fight them. If you try, you will fail. So many of us have unresolved emotions from our childhood that drag us down and turn into miserable human beings. You can only be at peace with yourself when you acknowledge these emotions, observe them, let them be, and pass through you.
Available in sizes and editions:
50 x 50 cm (19.7 x 19.7 in.) - #3 of 12
70 x 70 cm (27.6 x 27.6 in.) - #3 of 8
100 x 100 cm (39.4 x 39.4 in.) - SOLD OUT
120 x 120 cm (47.2 x 47.2 in.) - SOLD OUT
Limited edition artwork on museum-quality Hahnemühle Bamboo FineArt Paper (290 gsm, 90% bamboo fibers, 10% cotton), signed and numbered on the front and on the back, embossed with an authenticity stamp, comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.
Story & Message:
Black is the absence of color. When we are facing loss, our whole body aches. But pain can trigger an interesting process: the building of layers of comprehension that there’s more to life than our previous experiences. This profound understanding, when we welcome it, helps us remain calm and still. And weather any new storm coming our way. The challenges we are facing don’t disorientate us the same way anymore – we already know we will be fine. We’re able to cut through obstacles with elegance and sophistication.
From my project “Paper Cuts”
Every story is made up. All the stories that we hear about the world, the way things work in it and what our place in it is have been made up for us by our parents, school, society. However, when we realize that everything has been made up, now it’s our turn to tell ourselves a new story. And this story can be anything we ever wanted it to be. It won’t be easy. But it’s possible to forget all the stories that were bringing us down, and create our own, the one that will empower us - from scratch. But to do that, we need to cut the old stories first.
Available in sizes and editions:
50 x 50 cm (19.7 x 19.7 in.) - 12
70 x 70 cm (27.6 x 27.6 in.) - 4