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I. Heart. Texture.

Mostly, I've been gentle and soft with it, rarely departing to roughness. It's not that the extra thick, edgy stuff doesn't appeal to me. It does. I quite enjoy others embracing it. Looking at another's painting, full of gutsy, even shard-like details is very satisfying. It's just that loud stuff does not come out when my brushes, knives or hands meet the canvas. 

I'm okay with that. As much as I like to push myself to be braver in the studio, I've learned that bravery shouldn't come at the cost of fine finish. To clarify, my style of painting doesn't naturally lend itself to quick strokes, powerful sweeps or hard application. While this may change someday, I'm happily exploring the smoother stuff and graceful subtlety, especially on birds. There is a myriad of sweet journeys I have yet to walk. One of which, I've recently found, is found in a variety of papers.

Nikol Haskova Studio

working it out

A good painting, for me, requires a lot more than a skillful hand at work. Yes, one benefits greatly from studying his or her craft, but I like magic. I'm not just talking about the emotion put into the painting (or pouring out of it for that matter). I love a great story. Maybe it's my love of books, maybe it's life being art - whatever it is, I prefer to think. To sink into the visual dialogue. 

For that, composition is crucial. Two crows turning away from each other, as opposed to leaning in, tell entirely different tales. One looking down - or up toward another is quite a loaded situation. Since I work from my photos, I can easily take liberty with positioning 'my' birds. Likely, I am mirroring situations I've seen or been in. I generally don't know I'm doing it till after. It's a good way to be born, whether it's a note, a move, or a brushstroke.

The amount of planning, adjusting, composing and researching goes a long way when I'm speaking on canvas. Many, many birds that audition get cut. Acting should be believable, emotional, and most importantly, intelligent. Funny is fine, funny looking is something else.

Nikol Haskova Studio