pure happiness

It was. Pure happiness. Creating it was sooooooo exciting. I had done a similar painting to this a few years ago. You may remember the Chinese New Year chocolate wrappers I couldn't toss because they were so lovely. I was so into it. My hands shook with anticipation. "Hello beautiful. Let's find you some water to swim in. Also, you're a queen. You deserve more gold. And luxury. Oh, oh, something exotic, perhaps?"

Well. The last one was technically challenging, mostly because I wanted that little drop of 'water'. I did it, but it took very, very, very long to figure out how. That part came easily now, so I had to add a new challenge. What can I say - easy is just too - well, easy. Delicate paper with Chinese letters. Let me get the shimmery, golden letters to 'float' up to the surface of the resin. Will it work? Only one way to find out. In other words, take the red on red painting (which is almost as challenging as white on white, if you know what I mean), incorporate the paper (while keeping it intact), make it look good (design-wise), and then take a complete blind-faith bungee jump from a never-before-explored mountain.

The good news: it worked. The bad news: 'it', and it had become an 'it' by now, had to be photographed. I asked my photographer to give it her best shot, pun intended. "Don't worry about it if it looks like shiit-ake mushrooms", I said. Well, something like that. "I tried many different ways, including almost darkness, and I couldn't do it. Either you'll have glare and reflection, or you'll blur, or have to compromise on the saturation. I get it. Just take this one home for a few days and play." She did, and, considering the resin and number of parallel lines, nailed it better than I thought. In the end, I'm going with my own photo because despite the reflections, I find it to be the best representation of the painting. I can't put my finger on it. She did tell me she'd never take on another one like this. I don't blame her. At this point, I'm not sure I'll make another one like this. Until I do.

Manifesting. "Pure Happiness" is a little vulnerable right now. I want it to cast off all the 'hard work' that is reverberating and only have it feel like 'pure' happiness. You know. The place it came from. In the end, it's not about the struggle it became to complete it. It's about me bursting unabashed, crazy good love and wishes. Also, I adore it. Just so you know.

Nikol Haskova Studio

the ultimate selfie

I was invested in this one in a gigantic way. It began in Naramata last September - at the same time and in the same place so many seedlings chose to unfold in my throbbing, yet happy head.

After a long day of painting, spraying, scratching, lecture taking, photographing, singing, toe dipping in  the lake and goofing around with music and brushes, I sank deeply into the old cushions of the cabin couch. I looked at the big ass panel primed with gesso. "It's so big", I thought. "Bigger than the doors in this place." 

With sufficient time spent on stupidly intimidating myself, I poured some liquid over three ice cubes. Predictably, the philosophical stupid quickly morphed into stupidly brave. "Ha! I know. A portrait. Bigger than life size. Yes yes yes! That's it. Well, now wait...My portrait? How self absorbed, I'm not gonna do that. Then again, many have and it was awesome. The greats and not so greats have given it their best and some of it turned into amazing work. Why not? 

No no no. Not a self portrait. It has to be a story. Right. A selfie. Completely unabashed, just as they usually are. I can do that. That's funny. Or at least ironic. Call it what it is. My selfie? Maybe. Ok. Fine. Hmm. Well just a selfie. Mine, yours or anyone's. Yep. With flowers. No, it doesn't have to be happy and worthy. But it could be. Just a selfie. A reflection of what's going on. In here, or out there."

Nikol Haskova Studio

slim shady

'Cause I'm Slim Shady, yes I'm the real Shady
All you other Slim Shadys are just imitating
So won't the real Slim Shady please stand up,
Please stand up, please stand up?

~ Eminem on The Marshall Mathers LP,2000 ~

If you're familiar, you may have a good chuckle. For those who are not, just who is Slim Shady? If you decide to Google it, I'm curious about your interpretation before you do so. As much as I love the song, this painting didn't start out as a pop culture slam. For me, Slim sounded like a charming, although Shady (hahaha) 1940s character, walking around with a healthy swagger.

Nikol Haskova Studio

I'm always with you

What an incredible journey and privilege to create something so personal, intimate and emotional. To be asked to portray one of life's precious connections. To help honour twenty five years of marriage.

She came in the morning. I made a short tea ceremony for her and asked her to close her eyes for 3 breaths. When she opened them, I posed a question. She was to give a fast answer, one without an indulgent search for the right words. When she spoke, I got teary eyed.

Then she moved, and as the music changed, so did her self awareness. She danced from conscious woman right into vulnerable goddess. And that's when the magic unfolded. There seemed to be a shimmering light around her, a new confidence. As I watched her trough my camera, overwhelmed by her courage and stunning beauty, her body found a way to show what she would have told him with words.

SOLD

Nikol Haskova Studio

thank you

To Charles Clark Gallery and Strange Fellows Brewing, thank you for the warm welcome.

"Rough Edged Romance" was hands down the most interesting & engaging reception I've had.
I'm so thankful I had room for invention & true creativity. There were no expectations for an exact direction, only fun communication and room to play.

May I add that your "A little strange" would be wonderfully accompanied by "And a lot awesome".

Nikol Haskova Studio

teaser

With "Rough Edged Romance" only days away, I'm excited.

Last time I had a solo exhibition in Vancouver was nearly 4 years ago. Back then, I told myself: "Never again". As I've learned many times over, never say never. 

If your heart is in the right place & you know you've got something meaningful to say, go for it. Being surrounded by caring friends & art lovers that want to see & listen makes all the difference. 

The peeps I'm doing it with this time are amazing. Cool yet casual, savvy yet approachable. I'm stoked. I'll see you there. 

Oh. I'd like to mention the place has hands down the yummiest creations as far as craft beer goes (perhaps with the exception of Red Racer).

"Na zdraví!"

Nikol Haskova Studio

no, I don't

A talented student of mine asked me today if I request a deposit for commissioned works. It's an interesting question with no right answer. The points I can offer are based on my past experience and current practice in my studio.

I worked in commercial galleries from my 18th birthday to past my 34th. Every single time I had arranged a commission for a customer during that time, a substantial deposit was taken, at times up to the full amount. This was for several reasons. First, it was to secure the client's commitment. Second, it was to give the artist a go ahead, something a gallery would not likely do without such a commitment from the interested party. Third, it was to avoid a client backing out upon completion. Of course he/she still could, but would honour a paid agreement more easily. Most of the time, these transactions worked beautifully, resulting in the collector's happiness and sometimes emotionally moving acceptance of the painting. The artist benefited as well, often able to charge a premium for such a personal, particular kind of work. The only hiccup was when the client had a vision dominated by their own hopes for the final look. In these cases, the artist essentially became an extension of the buyer's hand, only without the understanding of skills and interpretation necessary for a great piece of art. In one fantastic gallery I had worked in, even an obstacle such as this was overcome by wonderful communication between the buyer, the gallery owner and the artist. Usually this only ended up strengthening all of the relationships.

As a professional artist, I have never taken a deposit. This is because I only take on commissions I'm interested in. There have been opportunities I turned down. I did not 'feel it'. It would have been a poor painting, if only in my opinion. I take requests for growth. If the subject matter sets me afire, I'm in. The option for the recipient to turn down the finished creation is always available. When I make something, I dig it or it doesn't leave the studio. My thought is if the person isn't tickled pink, the painting will easily sell to someone else. I've never had to do that. Happy creating!

Nikol Haskova Studio