Artist in conversation: Angelina Davydova
“Traditional media adds an expressive touch to digital art. It’s a final stroke of an idea to become reality.”
Angelina is an Amsterdam-based abstract and figurative artist guided by a strong sense of internal creativity. Her self-taught practice emerged through escapism, as she created early works by evading daily routine, which has developed into a spontaneous style. Often starting with a scratch on homemade paper and giving her tools freedom, her digital and oil paintings predominantly lean into intuition.
Themes and subjects emerge organically as she responds to the emotional atmosphere of her surroundings, led by rhythms within music and even silence. Her oeuvre draws from the iconic David Hockney’s abstraction techniques, colours, and freedom of expression. She also grounds her approach to art inspired by the serenity encountered within Christian Orthodox iconography. With a distinct mindset, her emerging practice undermines conventional rules and methodologies in honour of self-determination and creative freedom over the zeitgeist.
Her work will evolve from these foundations by taking its first step into the public eye later this year, with upcoming shows in London, New York, and Tokyo.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset when starting a newnproject?
I do have a ritual while working. I choose music and put it on loop, than I listen to music for around 5 min to get into the mood and than I start choosing colors. But in general I constantly think about art, I explore new concepts and ideas in my head.
How do you integrate the use of both digital and traditional media in your art, and what unique qualities does each medium bring to your work?
For me digital art unleashed the creativity in me, it allowed me to feel included in a creative process, creating a sort of canvas for future ideas which I can build upon. For my new project I use mixed media including newspaper clippings in digital format, AI generated images and oil. Traditional media adds an expressive touch to digital art. It’s a final stroke of an idea to become reality.
Can you share a particular project or photograph that stands out to you and explain the creative process behind it?
I recently started working on new mixed media project.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
When I create something I do it for myself, I have this nagging feeling to express myself. And than if someone likes my art that they like it :) Recently I got an amazing critique from Anthony Fawcett and one of his phrases especially touched my heart and sort of summarized how I make art “Davydova's paintings remind me of the earliest cave paintings from Lascaux in France, primitive in the sense of their urgency and spontaneity. Davydova's paintings sing with an almost musical intensity; her colors melding with her intense vision, which is almost operatic. ”
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I take breaks sometimes, because I have 2 jobs next to my art work process, but when I have even 15 min of free time I just sit in silence and think about art or an idea. It’s rare but if I get stuck than I just take a paint brush and paint even if I am not in a mood, and I might not like the result, but the more I do art the more I know what I like and don’’t and the longer I stay connected to the art world.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I really appreciate to be part of few group exhibitions. They gave me a chance. Actually The Holy Art Gallery was the first gallery I’ve exhibited my work. This sense that I am not rejected and someone appreciates my art is very inspiring. It made me do more art and explore more ideas.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I want to try more mix media ideas, and I really want to have a personal exhibition some day.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your artworks?
I use music to set a specific mood.