In the realm of creativity, every artist embarks on a unique journey, discovering their voice and vision along the way. Alona's story is one of transformation and exploration, where art became not just a passion but a way of life. From childhood sketches to a vibrant collection of paintings, her artistic evolution is a testament to the power of perseverance and the beauty of embracing one's individuality.
Alona Kushnirenko was born in the city of Zaporizhzhia. She has been involved in art for about 12 years. Constantly improving her skills, Alona attended various creative workshops and took personal lessons from Natalia Korobova. Currently, she continues her studies with English artists. Her works have been exhibited in several cities in England and the Netherlands. Alona Kushnirenko's paintings have been sold in both Ukraine and England, and they also adorn the halls of several restaurants in England.
Alona, please tell us about your creative journey. How did you start engaging in art?
Even as a child, I loved to draw, but my parents didn't want me to take it seriously, so my creative journey began after I turned 30. Initially, it was an experiment; I worked with polymer clay and decoupage. Then I started painting with oil paints on canvas. The collection of paintings began with just one painting, which was an Angel in the form of an alien. Then a whole collection emerged, called "Others." Each painting depicting an alien symbolizes a person who is somewhat different from others. You know, everyone has been told at some point that you're not like everyone else, or you're from another planet, or born in the wrong time, you're an alien. And these paintings are about that: they are images of women who are very feminine, or strong men, or devoted family members, scientists, travelers, dreamers. In other words, people who are very different from others.
You have many different styles of work. How do you find inspiration for each of them?
For me, art is generally like an experiment, meaning I catch an idea and try to transform it on canvas. I constantly work with new materials, try new plots, techniques. I paint with oil paints, acrylics, watercolors. If I don't want to paint something anymore, I switch to another technique, or papier-mâché, or clay, or something else interesting. So, in general, art is my life. Now I believe that it's even just a way of life. The feeling of this world doesn't let me stop at one theme or direction. I follow the flow that leads me and try to transform it on canvas.
Which artists or art movements have had the greatest influence on you?
I think that from the very beginning of my painting, my creative path, I was influenced by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso. I really like Van Gogh, there are many artists I like, but above all, I love reading their life stories and how they developed their creativity, their paths. This is very interesting to me. Art movements. I like surrealism, naïvism, abstraction, expressive techniques. That is, when with one motion you sweep and the paint flies onto the canvas. With splashes, you don't know where it will fly and what will be created, it's like some kind of magic for me, it's a feeling of happiness, probably, like in childhood.
How do you choose themes for your works? Do you have favorite plots or motifs?
I choose themes for my works randomly, or in conversations with friends, or an idea might come to me that needs to be realized. There are many. Each painting is its own story, and therefore I can't say which themes or motifs I choose because each painting is a completely different story. But I already have several collections. Some paintings are unique in their plot or motif, but that doesn't mean they will remain unique. That is, someday, perhaps, I will return and paint another collection, maybe I will, maybe not. So, it's always a reason for me to return to one theme or another.
Do you participate in competitions and exhibitions? What experience have you gained from these events?
Yes, I participate a lot in various competitions, exhibitions, and fairs. For me, this is a very valuable experience, it's very valuable to observe how paintings are selected, how viewers look at paintings, how they choose, which paintings they buy. It's very interesting, and overall this year has been very productive for me. I've had about eight exhibitions. I think it's very cool for me because I'm not yet a certified artist, but I'm currently studying at the design faculty in Kharkiv. I think there's still more ahead for me. And gaining my own style, and followers, everything is ahead. As for exhibitions, I'm also very interested in observing how the jury selects artists for exhibitions. Sometimes it's not clear at all, but very interesting. I would also like to say that this is a very important experience since I haven't had a personal exhibition yet, but I want to have one. So, I already have some experience being in group exhibitions, I know the pros and cons. It seems to me that it's like learning, each exhibition is a learning experience.
Could you tell us why you started studying now? What prompted you to do this?
I started studying now because I want to realize myself more in the field of art, as well as help people through art and participate in residencies with other artists.
Also, you mentioned above that you already have experience participating in exhibitions and understand the pros and cons. Could you elaborate on them?
All exhibitions are very different in terms of participation cost, selection of works, organization, advertising, location, all of which, in my opinion, are very significant. For example, some galleries have a high participation fee, but the location is in a completely inaccessible place. There might be online advertising, but no external or venue advertising. Some galleries have their own list of VIP guests invited to the opening before the exhibition is open to other visitors. Some galleries have very low attendance, while others have a constant flow of people.
