3 Questions with Albena Hristova:

1) Your art is very connected to nature. How does nature affect your work?

I feel a very direct connection with nature. I don’t know when it started, but  it is a strong feeling of admiration and appreciation of what has been given to us. This connection stimulated me to create the Faces of the Earth series. Once I transformed views from nature into a look that corresponds to the modern trends in visual art, it became a snowball. Now, I look at nature as it surrounds me and the next painting pops up in my mind.

2) You love to travel. Where are you going next?

I am planning on visiting Morocco. I have not been to Africa and never seen a sand desert. I am sure there will be a whole new series on the Sahara. I can’t wait to get there and come back to start painting

3) Your paintings are filled with movement and texture. How do you achieve that look?

You are asking for the secret sauce. Is there an answer to this question? I have never asked myself how it happens. Part of it is my God-given hands and brain, but a big part of it is the many, many hours of work. Artist are perfectionists. I am too. I always see the picture in my mind and then I try to replicate it on canvas. Sometimes it comes naturally with a few strokes, sometimes it takes many tries. Nature is movement and texture and color and that is what I want to have in my paintings.