We recently connected with Yuliya Gabriella and have shared our conversation below.

Yuliya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I have always been a creative person, but I never considered pursuing a creative career until later in life. When I was younger, I was more focused on pursuing traditional academic and professional paths. However, as I gained more life experience and exposure to the creative industry, I began to realize that I could turn my passion for creativity into a fulfilling career. I am grateful for the experiences that led me to where I am today and excited to continue growing and developing as a creative professional.

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

Upon reflecting on my professional journey, it seems to have been all over the place, but I am grateful for every step of it that led me to where I am now, able to create and unlock my potential. Before moving to the US in 2013, I used to live in Beijing, China, working as a buyer for international companies, sourcing various products ranging from clothes and accessories to restaurant supplies and medical equipment. When I moved to California, I established a personalized shopping and styling agency, catering to clients from Europe. In 2019, I felt that I wanted to transition into a more creative space, and I designed a fully adjustable lingerie collection for my brand, Bed Behaved, that is meant to empower women and embrace diverse body types. At the same time, I wanted to merge my two passions: fashion design and art, and I started to create one-of-a-kind, hand-painted leather and denim jackets, embellished with striking spirit animal illustrations. Being noticed at Los Angeles Fashion Week in 2020 gave me more confidence to pursue a wearable art career. In early 2021, one of my clients asked me to create a custom art piece on canvas, which is when I had the idea to expand my art line from wearable pieces to contemporary art, using mixed media on canvas.

What sets my art apart is the time put into it, the perfection of the details, symmetry, and balance. My latest piece, ‘Metamorphosis,’ took 90 hours to create. I began by studying shapes and angles and how they form patterns. Then I calculated the precise measurements for the 3D triangle that would form a hexagon when laid out on the canvas. After hand-painting the paper, I cut it into thin strips that formed the shape I needed. Every little deviation in cuts or folds resulted in a change in the shape of the triangle, so I needed all 240 of them to be exactly the same size and width to form the perfect and symmetrical pattern. Since the paper I used to create the triangles was smooth, I wanted the surface of the canvas to be equally smooth. Therefore, I applied five thin layers of gesso, sanding the canvas after each layer had dried. Then I laid out all the triangles one by one to form the pattern.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Certainly, I have faced various challenges and setbacks throughout my personal and professional journey that have required me to tap into my resilience. One particular story comes to mind where I had to redo an art piece that takes about 140 hours to finish. One of the pieces in the ‘Perceptions’ triptych got ruined due to the epoxy not curing properly because of the cold temperature in my studio. It was devastating because I had put so much effort and time into it, and as it is the middle piece in the triptych, I had no choice but to redo it.

However, I knew that I had to stay positive and find a solution. I decided to take this opportunity to learn from my mistake and improve my process. I did some research, consulted with other artists about the best temperature conditions to cure epoxy, and implemented new techniques and procedures to ensure that this problem would not happen again.

Despite the obstacle, I was determined to complete the project to the best of my ability. I reworked the ruined piece, and it turned out even better than before. This experience taught me that challenges and mistakes are inevitable, but it’s important to stay resilient and find creative solutions to overcome them. I’m proud of the final result, and it’s a reminder to me of the power of perseverance and resilience in pursuing my creative endeavors.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

While there are many aspects of being an artist that I find rewarding, one of the most fulfilling parts for me is the opportunity to connect with people through my art. Art has a unique ability to evoke emotion and start conversations, and I have found that participating in art shows and exhibitions has allowed me to meet a diverse range of individuals who are passionate about art.

It’s incredible to see how my work resonates with different people and how they interpret and connect with my pieces in their own unique ways. I’ve had the pleasure of engaging in conversations with people from all walks of life and learning about their perspectives and experiences. These interactions have allowed me to broaden my own perspective and gain inspiration for future creative endeavors.

Furthermore, being an artist has also opened doors for me to collaborate with other creatives, including photographers, models, and designers. The collaborative process is always a learning experience, and I enjoy seeing how different visions come together to create something unique and beautiful.

Overall, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to connect with people and share my passion with others. It’s a humbling experience to see how my work can touch others and inspire them in their own creative pursuits.

Contact Info:

• Website: yuliyagabriella.com
• Instagram: @yuliya.gabriella