Q&A with Julia Maleeva
1. When did your passion for art begin?
I was a five year old kid, so as far back as I can remember…
2. Who or what inspires you most?
Travels inspire me the most and I love the definition made by old structures: abandoned harbours, boat wrecks, disused cranes, derelict houses, old Victorian piers… I could go on.
Artwork: Lemon afternoon in Aries by Julia Maleeva.
3. What is your favorite medium to use?
Cold wax. I’m currently mixing oils with cold wax which allows me to play with the different textures and layers. There’s always something new and a change in perspective which keeps everything exciting.
4. What is essential for you to have in your studio / space for creating?
Space. I work on, and with, big canvases so I need a lot of space.
5. Do you have a favourite artist or favourite style?
Willem de Kooning and Robert Rauschenberg. I love the movement of Abstract Expressionism and especially the American artists.
I think that a lot of the good contemporary art at the moment is still heavily influenced by them. I find myself drawn to that movement because it is opposed to impressionism (and I don’t particularly like impressionism). I also admire the way each artist evolves their own painting technique and style.
Artwork: Woman, 1950-52 by Willem de Kooning
Artwork: Untitled (Red Painting), 1953-54 by Robert Rauschenberg
6. What does your personal art collection look like?
My personal collection is very much what I love - abstract expressionism. I have many prints of expressionist paintings and in the studio we also have contemporary abstract artworks from local artists in Bristol. We also have some beautiful works from Bulgarian contemporary artists.
7. Can you remember how you began creating?
I remember that in my bedroom in my parents’ home, there was barely any free space on the walls, they were full of my paintings and my parents were always trying to make room for more. Though, I couldn’t understand why they also wanted me to attend piano lessons!
8. Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?
Connect with the beauty of nature and do more ‘en plein air’. Stop with the phones and ipads!
9. Where do you like to travel?
Near the seaside, it doesn't matter where.
10. If you could own any piece of art, what would it be and why?
I would like to own a giant sculpture of Henry Moore to sit in my garden. I could then enjoy and appreciate it while having my morning coffee.
11. If you could meet any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet David Hockney and to do en plein air together.
Image credit: The Guardian, Jonathan Jones, 2020
1. When did your passion for art begin?
I was a five year old kid, so as far back as I can remember…
2. Who or what inspires you most?
Travels inspire me the most and I love the definition made by old structures: abandoned harbours, boat wrecks, disused cranes, derelict houses, old Victorian piers… I could go on.
Artwork: Lemon afternoon in Aries by Julia Maleeva.
3. What is your favorite medium to use?
Cold wax. I’m currently mixing oils with cold wax which allows me to play with the different textures and layers. There’s always something new and a change in perspective which keeps everything exciting.
4. What is essential for you to have in your studio / space for creating?
Space. I work on, and with, big canvases so I need a lot of space.
5. Do you have a favourite artist or favourite style?
Willem de Kooning and Robert Rauschenberg. I love the movement of Abstract Expressionism and especially the American artists.
I think that a lot of the good contemporary art at the moment is still heavily influenced by them. I find myself drawn to that movement because it is opposed to impressionism (and I don’t particularly like impressionism). I also admire the way each artist evolves their own painting technique and style.
Artwork: Woman, 1950-52 by Willem de Kooning
Artwork: Untitled (Red Painting), 1953-54 by Robert Rauschenberg
6. What does your personal art collection look like?
My personal collection is very much what I love - abstract expressionism. I have many prints of expressionist paintings and in the studio we also have contemporary abstract artworks from local artists in Bristol. We also have some beautiful works from Bulgarian contemporary artists.
7. Can you remember how you began creating?
I remember that in my bedroom in my parents’ home, there was barely any free space on the walls, they were full of my paintings and my parents were always trying to make room for more. Though, I couldn’t understand why they also wanted me to attend piano lessons!
8. Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?
Connect with the beauty of nature and do more ‘en plein air’. Stop with the phones and ipads!
9. Where do you like to travel?
Near the seaside, it doesn't matter where.
Image credit: The Guardian, Jonathan Jones, 2020
10. If you could own any piece of art, what would it be and why?
I would like to own a giant sculpture of Henry Moore to sit in my garden. I could then enjoy and appreciate it while having my morning coffee.
11. If you could meet any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet David Hockney and to do en plein air together.