bare, from a woman's point of view

I love women. Yes, I find them beautiful, but there is so much more to it. The depth of feelings and emotional capacity (two vastly different qualities), the nurturing ability, the child-bearing, loving and raising-little-humans gift many of us have, the sensuality and luxuriousness in their physical softness are mere examples of what I cherish about them.

The aesthetic fascination is harder to explain, because I think of myself as a hot-blooded, crazily drunk on life, creative and beautiful woman. This doesn't come from a place of conceitedness. Quite the opposite. I've worked on self-worth and confidence for a long time. It's still work in progress. I just found myself being a better artist when I decided to see my accomplishments rather than measure myself against the follow-the-sheep mainstream trends. In turn, my examining abilities, friendship depths and personal goals have all soared. For me, it's all in one bucket. I like to feel good about the inner me first and the outside shell seems to mirror. It's a rewarding space to be in, full of light and shine.

The goddesses that turn my head and often set my artistic heart aflutter seem to float by on a healthy confidence pillow. In my experience, that kind of beauty is deeper, more raw and real than the gorgeous "sexy thing" kind.   This aplomb originates in an all-ness of compassion, ability, intelligence, humbleness and grace. I like a sprinkle of badass-ness on top. A well-rounded woman. One that is cognizant of her vulnerability yet capable of being strong. That is intoxicating to me.

There will be an exhibition to celebrate The Women. It's an encompassing and emotional project. It's also a big one as it'll be run by artists instead of a gallery and likely spark a lot of online attention and, hopefully and more importantly, plant seeds for good conversations. Logistics have scratched the possibility of spring off the calendar. I'll cross my fingers for the fall. If not, for whenever it's meant to be.

For now, I'm compiling material, journaling, researching, interviewing, sketching and painting to get my technical as well as thinking skills up to where I want them. Once in a while, inspiration can't wait and spills out of my brushes by itself. I do nothing but connect to my inner self. That's always been the best place to sink into.

Nikol Haskova Studio

    "Silk & Silver"

mixed media, 6 x 6 inches
SOLD

         

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

crown

Assemblage. Sigh.
How enticing!
But how?
What?
How?
With what?
How?
Flitter, how?!

The bug crawled in during the mentorship week in Naramata. Like street art (more on later), it's been simmering for a while, but when I saw Susan's work in person, the need to poke into it got under my skin.

I've always had a collection of found objects somewhere (ok, in many places) in my studio. Pieces have found their way into paintings and, happily, into collectors' lives. Even then I was careful with liberty, for a strangely - or worse, unworthy - placed addition on a 2 dimensional plane is just so wrong to me. The question: "Is it wanted?" had to be a answered with an absolute #%^* yes! Naturally, when it came to grabbing that skinny tall box and running into the studio with my headsetonfirebyalltheburningideas, the same question bubbled up. Only this time, it wasn't about one object or idea added into a project. This time, the whole thing was a question.

Because it was unfamiliar. Because it had so many components - yeah, that is a piece of my shattered thermostat in there and I so wanted to include the mercury but not this time. Because I had to find skills I didn't know I needed. Because I was almost as intimidated as I was excited. Almost. Because sometimes, there is no choice.

"Crown", assemblage, 3 x 30 inches, 1.5 inches deep, found objects, paint, silver leaf & resin. 
Above, complete project. Right, detail


Check out Susan McCarrell's work here

the love spinner

With the exception of a blue heart that you can't see

 in this photo because it's on the back frame, 

I am not going to say anything about this one. 

You do it, if you desire.

"The Love Spinner", 6 x 6 inches, mixed media on birch

Nikol Haskova Studio

SOLD

ten for 10

 "We Are Gold", 6 x 6 inches, mixed media on birch

This is the second in a series of ten paintings to honour 

10 years of marriage. 

Each year brought my husband and me a deep pool of experiences. 

When I say loveliest love, luscious lust, diving disagreements, 

encompassing embraces, adorable adoration, saturated sadness 

and blindingly beautiful belonging, I am scratching the surface. 

To me, this unity so vastly varies from any other. It's amazing

and hard as well as nurturing and trying, sometimes at the same time.

It brings warmth, shine, delicious sparks of lightning and chills. 

From seductive spring to frosty winter, we've felt all the seasons. 

We are still here. The same and different. Young yet rooted. 

Mature yet excited. Calmer yet on fire. 

We are gold.

                                                                                     

Playground

I. Heart. Mixed. Media! While acrylic will always be

my first love, the desire to push, embellish 

and be eccentric when I want to is deeply satisfied

with this choice. Let me loose!

"Playground", 6 x 6 inches, mixed media on birch

Nikol Haskova Studio

It's a big one, but it's little

This magnificent pine is stunning. Old, huge, 

the needles are thick & glossy, it smells great 

- and this oxygen gifting giant is full 

of wee life, both the crawling and the singing kind.

I've painted her before on a panel over 5 feet tall.

This time I wanted to see how it would feel and

what it would say in a 6 x 6 inch version.

Indeed, it's an entirely different story.

Nikol Haskova Studio

SOLD

Thank you Prague

My phone was off for the entire 3 weeks. I stuck to a conscious decision not to post on social media - or be anywhere near the internet actually - while enjoying this culturally rich trip with my son. Just me without my work, my son without his school and a handful of selected humans to keep us company at times. In my experience, the sounds are sweeter, tastes are fresher, sights are more vibrant and connections are deeper when I focus on them without electronic participation. 

I am still processing that indulgent and moving time in my head while journalling, sorting photos and meditating on many reflections. 

For now, here is a small sampling of revisiting places that formed a lot of the little girl I once was. A post about the opera night with the red carpet, door-opening Acura girls in tiaras and red "Pretty Woman" dresses and the private balcony may or may not appear. It depends on how much I decide to share and how much I keep bottled up to make art from. 

Nikol Haskova Studio