About Me

 

From a very early age, around three or four years old, I was fascinated by art. I remember sitting at home flipping through the pages of thick art books, completely captivated. The Renaissance masters left me breathless. Later, in elementary school, the long hallways were lined with framed reproductions of great paintings. During recess I would run up to the third floor just to stand in front of the French Impressionists and Van Gogh. I loved art deeply, and even then I knew that this was what I wanted to do.

When I took my first formal art class at the age of twelve, my childhood fascination became something more, a clear decision, a goal, and a lifelong commitment. Decades later, that conviction has never changed.

As I have grown both as a person and as an artist, my techniques and themes have continually evolved. What has remained constant is my strong belief that art is an expression of individuality, a translation of the reality we see and a reflection of what we feel.

I love painting alla prima, allowing spontaneity to guide the creative process. Although I was classically trained in oil painting, later in my career I discovered acrylics, which allow my mind and hand to move more freely together. I prefer working on canvas mounted on a hard surface rather than stretched canvases because I enjoy the stability and resistance it provides while painting.

As a published artist, I paint every day. Prints of my work are distributed around the world, and my original paintings are represented in several galleries. My work can be found in numerous private and corporate collections and has appeared on television sets including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Lady Gaga features, and The Jay Leno Show, as well as in films such as The Ides of March. My art has also been featured in publications including Art Business News, Art World News, Decor, Elle Decor, Veranda, Architectural Digest, Carmel Valley News, and others.

I was born, raised, and educated in Bulgaria. Later I lived for six years in Japan, and since 1996 I have made San Diego, California my home. Living on three different continents, experiencing diverse cultures, and traveling widely have all enriched my artistic vision and style.

I find inspiration everywhere, in what I see and what I feel. Sometimes a painting is triggered by a poem or a piece of music. Creating art is a necessity for my soul, feelings, and sensitivity. Through my paintings, I hope to take the viewer on a journey, from the reality we observe, through its transformation in my mind, through the expression of my emotions, and finally into a new reality on the canvas.

My style is free and bold. I love contrast, unexpected shifts in color, and unusual palettes, everything that brings a painting vividly to life.