When I was young, probably a teenager or younger, I found the wonderful world of the Worldwide Web. I could sense its breadth and expansiveness and felt excited at the possibility of all the things I could see and discover.
For the first fifteen or so years of my life, art for me had meant the framed art prints in our houses and the houses of those we knew. And all those painters were famous and dead. So, when the internet came and my sister and I started spending time on it, I discovered Deviantart, I found a community and space of and for artists. It was like being in a sea of people; I loved it. I loved that I could find art not just according to keywords, but also what kind of medium the art was in (dance, photography, painting, etc.). That became my first step into the world of art.
I loved seeing the human beings who were making them, I loved the aliveness of this art where art was not an object, but an effort, an expression, and it was not lost behind the weight of a name. But those days sifted and melded and went, Deviantart disappeared from my ambit of interest, and now I've changed my art haunt to the easy space of Instagram. I love searching and looking for paintings that resonate with me; I love finding people who are creating and are alive. I love that they allow me and others into the space where we can see what they are creating. One such artist whom I stumbled upon is Elena Klimenko.
The first of Elena's drawings that I came across was the one below. It was drawn on a newspaper. There was something so magnificently tangible about the things she drew-- the colour of her egg yolks (the dense yellow and the translucence of the whites), the sturdiness of the skillet, the resting arc of the fork on the skillet. The colours and the shadows seemed incredibly real to me.
Sometimes the paintings were so real that at first glance it appeared as if I were looking at a photograph of actual objects atop a newspaper. Like the painting below, named "Garnet" (according to Instagram's translate feature).
Having savoured enough of her paintings, I reached out to ask Elena if she would talk to me a bit about them. I had no proper questions in mind but I felt curious about her. More than that, I did not want to get stuck at the beauty of these paintings only, but also establish contact with the one making them.
Elena Klimenko lives in Kiev, Ukraine. She's 52 years old and has lived there all her life she tells me when we start talking. The following is a slightly edited excerpt from our conversation and following that are a few more of Elena's paintings, shared here with her permission.
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Do you remember how old you were when you first started painting? What was that first time painting like?
I've always painted! As long as I can remember. My mother was very happy about this and often praised my drawings. It really stimulated me to be creative. I am grateful to my mom for this! I didn't go to art school. I painted always and everywhere: in class, at home, and wherever possible.
That's so beautiful! I feel happy for child-you. Your mother truly encouraged you.
Do you remember how painting made you feel? How does it make you feel now? Why would you say you paint?
When I paint, I feel like I'm flying away. I forget about everything. It was the same in childhood. When I paint, I don't like being distracted. In moments of relaxation, I reflect on the future ideas of my paintings.
You mention future ideas of paintings. Can you give me an example of what you mean?
If you noticed my painting is original. There are no analogues yet. I am working to bring something new. This is what I am thinking about. There are a lot of ideas.
Yes I noticed that.
I have also seen that of late there's been a particular kind of painting you've been doing: objects drawn upon sheet music or newspaper. When I first found your profile on Instagram, I thought this was your style. But then I saw that you've a couple of other kinds of things you've done as well. For example, People on the Square or Blue Childhood. These are from an aerial perspective.
However, when I think of your art I think of peeled off pomegranates, oranges, their precise colours, light and shadow.
As the artist, do you think you have a particular style/voice? How do you see yourself?
I understand you. We are used to the fact that the artist's style has not been changed. We must recognize him. But I'm bored with drawing in one style. This may not be true from a marketing point of view. But the joy of painting is more important to me. I love trying new things. I try not to stand still.
What do you like doing when you are not painting? Does painting help you sustain your lifestyle or do you also have another job that helps pay the bills?
I have six sons. I am a mother of many children! True, the eldest has already married. The youngest is 12 years old. So I have a lot to do. Yes, painting "feeds" me. This is my only income.
Have you showcased your paintings at exhibitions? Do you remember selling your first painting?
Yes, of course. Before I used to take part in exhibitions. This was before the birth of the first child. And now all the exhibitions are on the internet. I remember how the first oil painting was bought from me; it was in 2017. Since then, more than a thousand of my paintings have been sold all over the world. I've sold my work before 2017 too. These were shawls in the batik technique. But the first oil painting was bought from me in 2017.
Oh, batik! We have batik technique in India too! Can you show me some of your batik works?
Unfortunately no photographs of the batik have survived. At that time it was not yet possible to photograph my work.
I understand. Do you still make batik work? What medium are you focusing on now?
Now I do not paint using the batik technique. I mostly write on the newspaper.
Do you use gouache paint or oil or acrylic?
Only oil.
Okay. Do any of your children paint? Do you share this passion of yours with any of them?
Yes, some of my sons draw and are pretty good. They even sell their paintings. They, of course, do not paint as often as I do.
Are there any painters or sculptors or any other artists whose works you especially love? Contemporary artists as well as old ones.
I like the work of the Impressionists. They are lively and cheerful. From contemporary artists, I really liked David Chifets, Alvaro Castagnet, and many others.
I haven't heard of the contemporaries you mentioned. I will check them out. Thank you for sharing some of your story with me.
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(Portrait of Elena by her friend)
You can see more of Elena's paintings here.
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