LENA BRAZIN: @LENA_BRAZIN

Tell us a bit about you as a person, and your journey to the artist you are today?

I was born in Kosice, Slovakia in 1985 and I lived there until I was 24 years old. That year I finished my studies of economics and management with a Master's degree already knowing that I am not going to go down that path but rather following my again ignited passion for art. I moved to the South of France where I spent about 5 years studying the art of painting while working for a French painter Jean Sobieski. That period was all about soul searching and spiritual awakening after a hard period of depression which in the end turned out to be the greatest catalyst for a positive change in my life. I went through an experience of remembering and reconnecting with myself and spirit. Painting played a very important role in healing and growth. I have been living in London since March of 2015.

How were you trained?

For the most part, I have always been a self-taught painter. I am confident to say that I am very good at observation and so I was able to absorb anything that got my interest like a sponge. My first real introduction to fine-art painting came from Jean, the painter I mentioned above. I guess the most important thing that I have learned from him is how to look at a painting. My second most profound training experience comes from an alternative painting course led by established painters in London, called Turps Banana or Turps Art School. It´s an intensive practice and studio-based programme, with mentoring sessions, crits, and studio visits, where painters talk to each other on a day to day basis.

Can you tell us a bit about your process, and how each of your artwork comes to be?

I am a figurative painter. I try to reflect and narrate what I see around me. People, environments, moments, symbols, interesting compositions and ideas are the base for the picture. I now have an archive of photographs (which is expanding almost every day) from my life that I am using while digitally collaging these pictures together and creating proposals for paintings. As I am also spending more time on Instagram than ever before, I started to screenshot interesting figures, portraits, compositions as well. Once I have my collage done, I am adding my „spirit fluid beings“ into the picture. They are my symbol and literal narration of the supernatural or the unseen, metaphysical reality. I am mixing these 2 worlds together to inspire people to look beyond our material existence. Once my proposal is ready, I am starting to paint on linen or wooden panels. I build up layers of paint, usually from acrylics on the bottom to oils on the top. Through these thin and thick layers, I am trying to reflect the complexity of the reality that we live in.

What do you believe is integral to the work of an artist?

Being able to observe, digest, transform and not being afraid to reflect, create and share. Being an artist is a very vulnerable position to be in. You take full responsibility for your own steps while being exposed to judgment all the time. There is no safety net or security offered by anyone else but yourself. Also in terms of qualities of the character of an artist, I would say perseverance, faith, inner strength, focus.

Who or what are your biggest influences, and how do you find them? How do these come out in your work?

I was naturally always attracted to the use of a bright palette and expressive line and I want to believe that me living in the South of France for some period of time wasn't a coincidence. I felt like I could see that „light“ that Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse expressed in their work. It feels like a blessing when I look back as it really enforced my interest in very colourful painting. Post-impressionism, fauvism and expressionism are the major players when it comes to influence. Names mentioned above plus Gauguin, Picabia, Leger, Picasso, Goncharova, later Alice Neel, Jean Michel Basquiat are my main inspirations.

In most recent years, I have also introduced an element of geometry into my work. I use symmetry, multiplying and that comes from my inspiration by mandala art and sacred geometry. Also, Icon and Kalighat painting are my newest influences as portraiture and strong figurative work focusing on human spirit became my main interest.

What three words would you use to describe your work?

Figurative, expressive, mystical

What is your intention with scale?

For many years I used to paint only big paintings. At Turps I had a chance to go even bigger, which was great as my portraits of human beings became these characters with god-like presence by simply scaling them up. These big paintings also helped me to loosen up with my language and be even more gestural. They also showed my interest in Mural painting, when an artist shows their ability to blow up the size to the giant size level. Big can be intimidating and it is about the power, force and boldness as well. On the contrary, the small paintings that I started to paint recently on wooden panels, are these little mystical worlds on their own. Hopefully as powerful as the big ones, but the strength is projecting rather through more gentle touch and patient approach.