We recently connected with Viktoria Koval and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Viktoria , thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Happy as can be. Doing truly what I love make the huge difference. I’ve been working many jobs, running businesses and never felt at peace as much as I feel now. I believe every one has a gift that makes your life flow easier. Problems starts when we dont believe in ourselves enough or dont dare to even think that we may have a gift. I am always open for opportunities but I dont miss 9-5 job and feel much more freedom from being my own boss. Even when there are days that I work on my art way longer than 9-5
Viktoria , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a mandala artist based in Saint Augustine Florida. Started painting 3 years ago out of a blue. Had never any training , practice or experience in arts. I graduated college, was running business with online store at the beginning . Then training horses was a big part of my life. I was involved in many horse workshops. At some point in my life I was even managing huge riding center for 2 years, just before I decided to move to Usa from Poland 7 years ago. So no arts at all, no artist in the family. I started painting in May and in July I already sold all of my art to the small art store downtown St. augustine. Challenge was to believe I can turn it into full time job and make a living of it. I felt I can and I followed this feeling. Today I am selling my art in local galleries and farmers markets. I love what I do and you can see it in my art. I create mandalas, circular designs without using brushes. I dot with plastic sticks/dotting tools. It is a very meditative form of art. I also give art classes to share my gift and teach about meaning of Mandala
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I have a goal to encourage people to look for their gifts. I am sharing my story hoping to inspire especially young people who dont know yet what they want to do in life. I try to show how listening to what you feel in your heart can guide you in life. I believe we stuck in patterns and disbeliefs. Time to break the chains and follow our hearts
How did you build your audience on social media?
For the first 2 years I didn’t focus on social media at all. But it got to me that there is a need when my customers started asking if they can follow me and observe what I create or where will I be with my art. I don’t follow any social media trends. I create posts and reels with music I like and enjoy not because it is a trend. Advice would be don’t pressure yourself to do something you don’t enjoy watching or you don’t find it interesting. I create reels that I enjoy to watch. Try to keep it short and simple with attractive content. I recently started youtube channel where you can watch how I create with dots. You don’t have to be an artist to start youtube channel with interesting content.
Contact Info:
- Website: Viktoriakoval.com
- Instagram: @uniquemandalaart
- Facebook: Viktoria Koval Mandala Artist
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Uniquemandalaart
- Other: You can find me on Farmers Market in Saint Augustine & local art galleries Zora Bora and Coconut Barrel
Image Credits
Viktoria Koval