We were lucky to catch up with Alena Kononova recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

This story begins in September, exactly one month before my first big group exhibition in US. I decided that this time, I’ll create 5 new and unique pieces specifically for people who have chosen to start their October with our paintings at the exhibition in Austin. I wanted people to not regret that they came, I wanted to produce a natural wow effect on all the viewers of this show.

Then serious and scrupulous preparatory work began. Day after day, I sit for hours and draw, so I created 3 out of a planned five pieces. And after the third one, well, I’ll be honest, I was quite bored drawing small artworks , so I took a huge cardboard : a week from the exhibition. And this is where the true test of myself as an artist has officially begun. From that day on, an alarm clock rang at five in the morning and was called “ … days left until the show! ”.

It was a large paining, and I was still sketching it. I remember I was listening to lecture on the mind of humans , that each person is unique and original in their own way, that everyone has that of God within them. These waves just picked me up , and I, unconsciously, was completing the sketch in the rhythmic movement of my hand.

The lecture ends, the sketch is ready.
In my works, a sketch is always predominantly intuitive. It is important to tune into the right wave, to relax, and allow these waves to cradle you. But the color, the color requires concentration, understanding, and deep feelings. Sometimes I talk to colors in my mind , I sometimes will have a question for color , for example : “would you mind if I put some other color next to you?” “How about this one?” And when I feel some kind of tacit agreement, only than I add a new color on the painting.
For me, there are no rules such as warm colors should go with warmer tones , and that icier ones should go with cooler one . Take a look around the world, not everything acts according to the rules, it seems to be more muddled , rabid, even acidic. Color is courage in me, and it is this courage that makes me a modern artist, an artist which transmits our time and inner experiences.

I began painting with the first rays of the sun and continued unto its setting. The only thing I was doing is drawing. Lines, figures, forms, red, blue, orange, purple were in every single corner of my mind.

-evening , September 30th – I’m drawing , night , September 30th – I’m putting the finishing touches, midnight October 1st – done.
When I did that, I couldn’t be the same person anymore. My whole perception has changed. The tips of my fingers were wiped out . The colors on my hands – failed to be washed off.
I have a map of America in my room, I’d lay awake watching it and then I caught myself thinking that the map is painted in pastel. When I look around , I see that every object in the room is painted in pastel. I don’t see a smooth matte printed map , I see the texture map, executed in pastel in a realistic manner. And it’s led me to the realization that all artists who work for more than 12 hours per day have a different way of seeing the world. For the first time in my life i saw the world executed in pastel. I sensed that as before is no longer. I don’t know, it’s just not going to be the same. Well, I hope this means I’ve passed inspection, and more than that, I received a reward in the form of a new perception of the world. An artistic perception of the world.

October first.
I didn’t show this painting to anyone, and here it is, at the age of one day, is now appearing in front of the huge audience. I wasn’t scared, I was curious.I was wondering what people will see in the painting, what feelings they will get standing next to it.
It was absolutely fabulous. After the first hour of exhibition I had already replenished my energy, which I spent lavishly the night before. And it is only because of my well-educated, cultured, welcoming and kind audience. I stood there and realized – “that’s exactly why I’m doing this, for such attitudes, for these conversations, for the people.
And you know what, no one regretted that they came.

What is the story about?
It tells you that you mustn’t be afraid to set big goals and to have big dreams. If it’s for a good cause , a lot of invisible hands will assist you. And also, that every project should be treated seriously and competently. You need to show up entirely, you need to be 100%. You have to do the maximum, no matter how impossible it seems. And then, looking back , you’ll simply smile to yourself from the past, and say : “ it turns out – nothing is impossible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Abstract art is the language I speak. It is the language in which I speak to myself and to a global audience. I create worlds of color and these worlds help the viewer to look inward. I love it, and consciously dedicating my life to.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Well, firstly, freedom of self-expression. And as an added bonuses , hard work and diligence, and by the way, these qualities will be useful not only in art but also in life. And of course, painting itself , color sensation/perception, imagination, visual memory, artists plein airs , museum practice. Painting is a unique profession, rather, it’s a way of life. But most importantly, this is a way of thinking. Also, Art gives me the opportunity to become the best version of myself , I read , I study and travel a lot. Remember, the eye has to travel! Those are the most exciting and rewarding aspects for me.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

My art journey actually started with books. I’ve read and watched a lot about art at random. I was just filling my head with knowledge from this sphere. However, I’m obliged to note one writer , and the writer is Henri Perruchot. But, if you are the type of person who prefers to watch more than to read, or both, I recommend watching John Berger’s Ways of Seeing .

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jivopiece/

Image Credits
Main personal photo crew Hairstylist Victoria @tori_hairstyles_ Makeup Artist Saia @saia_mua Photographer Liubov @photo.bylove Will @threa.hd