Ana Tzarev2013-05-23T21:52:50-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=ana-tzarevCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Ana TzarevGood old fashioned elbow grease.Love Alive in Art: The Passion of Loverstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32989702013-05-18T12:45:43-04:002013-05-19T16:25:32-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/In this series of articles, international artist Ana Tzarev explores the history of love as depicted through art. The first installment focuses on representations of passionate love.
Ana's Thought: "Art is the most jealous Mistress. She demands all your time, all your attention, and all your Love."
My Lovers sculpture emerged as a tribute to the transforming power of Love. I was moved to capture Love as a timeless and elemental force, the eternal pull of a tide drawing two people together. The figures of Lovers are bound up in waves, channeling the energy of the waters from which all life emerged eons ago. Man and woman melt into one another, entwined. Like Eve being formed from Adam's rib, they are unified both in body and in spirit to share their ecstasy. These figures are avatars of pure adoration. They exist in their own private world, lost in bliss within each other's arms.
It was through Love that the world was born, the maker and caretaker of Life. It is potent, immutable, and a true magic unlike any other. Like the urge to create, it possesses you fully, moving you to act. Its magnetic allure has been praised and lamented throughout the ages, breathing inspiration into masterworks of writing, music, and visual art.
Shakespeare filled his works with passionate figures, but through Romeo & Juliet he gifted the world with our quintessential young lovers. Their story is one of both beauty and tragedy, driven by their electrifying connection the instant they met eyes. The universal nature of their blooming ardor inspired paintings, songs, and films, stirring the hearts of millions of lovers of all ages.
The legendary tales of Tristan and Isolde's torrid affair were sung throughout Europe, their story unfolding in endless lines of poems. Charmed by a potion, the pair was bound together despite their marriages to others. Like Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, their story met an unfortunate end: after years of dodging scorn and danger, jealous deceit brought their demise. But they were remembered for their unwavering passion--a force stronger than any obstacle.
Tristan and Isolde by Edmund Blair Leighton, 1902.
In the Greek tradition, both deity and man were often swayed by the power of Love tinged with desire. Aphrodite, the embodiment of both beauty and sexuality, was known for her many affairs. Her Roman counterpart, Venus, inspired brilliant sculptures and paintings known to this day. She was the mother of Eros, the mischievous god of Love and inspiration for our famous Cupid. Odysseus, while on his epic journey home from Troy, was an object of the goddess Circe's fancy; despite her enticement and distraction, he sailed onward into the arms of his true Love, the faithful Penelope. The Greeks recognized the physical and emotional complexity of Love and wove it into their mythologies and their art.
Details of Alexandros of Antioch's Venus de Milo and Botticelli's The Birth of Venus.
When you find yourself carried off by the waves of passionate Love, be sure to tap into its well of Inspiration--as true desire is a thirst that cannot be quenched, so the waters of Passion are infinite! Open your heart to the world to confess your longing and you will find that it longs in return for your unique voice.]]>The Garden of Inspirationtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32595562013-05-11T11:49:44-04:002013-05-13T13:13:29-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/All art disciplines inspire one another."
As a visual artist, I find great inspiration in the varied disciplines of creativity. When I was first introduced to the renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré, my soul was electrified by her virtuosity and sensitivity. She performed the same way I paint--using the energy of her whole body, immersed deeply in the act, as though the world around her ceased to exist. Jacqueline left us far too soon, and her passing moved me to paint the cellists and dancers found in my Dreaming series. In this way, I know that her gift will live on.
Even in my youth, I could feel the tremendous power of art moving within me, urging me to create and share my appreciation for all the beauty in this world. When I was 15 years old, I attended a performance of Puccini's opus Madame Butterfly, and my life was instantly changed. So magnificent was this opera that I was thrown into a whirlwind of emotion - I wept, touched by the stirring songs and performances, and was utterly entranced by the fantastic costumes. My fascination with Japan's culture took shape in this moment, engendering a thirst for learning all I could about the art, language, and people of this remarkable nation. I first visited Japan 20 years later, and through the wealth of experiences I was blessed to have there, the paintings of my Art of Japan series came to life. The memory of that first encounter through opera remains in my mind, clear as glass, to this day.
History is rich with examples of this artistic dialogue, as no creator exists in isolation--it is a cross-pollination of ideas and achievements spanning centuries. Composers, librettists, and choreographers inspire each other to orchestrate beauty as they strive toward producing ballets and operas. Tchaikovsky, one of the greatest among these composers, took elements from classical opera and brought them into his score for Swan Lake. The brightest point of Degas's career was his studies of pirouetting dancers, whose poise brought him so much delight. Further in this chain of cross-pollination, one of his dancer sculptures has recently inspired the production of a musical!
Mankind's drive to create is an endless and fascinating mystery. To produce something from nothing is to embrace your higher self, the part of your being that is a direct descendent of the Maker of all things. To appreciate the creations of others is equally important, as reveling in wonder is the purest way to give thanks.
No soul can claim that a crescendo of strings, a dancer's precision and grace, or a cascade of colour across a canvas fails to ignite them. When we observe a masterpiece, we are reminded of our vast potential to reinterpret the world around us in our own unique way. The next time the art of another sings out to your soul, do not keep your feelings to yourself--sing back with passion!]]>Make Every Day Valentine's Daytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32157312013-05-04T22:44:30-04:002013-05-06T09:47:25-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/
Ana's Thought: "Artist, Love is your Deepest feeling - let it fill your Soul with Sunlight."
Do you recall how it feels when love's first blush takes hold of your heart?
All things are overcome with warmth and light. You are as buoyant as a feather whisked off by the breeze. Your vision is shaded in the most radiant hues, touched by a divine palette. It is enough to transform any soul into a poet or painter!
It is possible to make those feelings linger, to wake up enamored with each day as it blossoms before your eyes. Cast your net wide, for you must come to view the whole world as your true sweetheart! It is a polished diamond that catches the sun's rays at dawn to illuminate a new facet of its beauteous face.
Do not bury your joy - sing love songs to the trees and rivers that they may unfurl and dance before you! Spend a romantic evening in the company of the moon and stars! And let every stranger feel the warmth emitted from your soul, besotted with pure beauty.
We derive inspiration from those who made their living from love. Pablo Neruda penned line after line with love as his muse, words poured straight from his heart into those of his readers. His love was universal - at times strongly intimate and, at others, an awestruck offering to the whole of nature. Gustav Klimt draped his lovers in gold and gem, dazzling to the eye. Delicate and sensual, his paintings were exquisite studies from a man enamored with beauty. We are all capable of being moved by the transforming power of love. What can you create as a unique gift for our magnificent Earth and for those whom you keep close to your heart?
Do your best to steer away from the belief that your life is dull routine - you are alive, and that blessing of existence consecrates each day as a holiday. If you wake up in love every morning, you will find that each day is its own special Valentine's Day. Every kind act you show to others is a rose for your Life's bouquet. Let the words you speak show the world that you are an ambassador of Love and Peace, and trust that fantastic things will bloom from your efforts.
Try to be a "Love Germ," spreading your joy through smiles, flowers, songs, words of approval and praise, or friendly calls to the lonely. You'll see that your positivity is contagious, and it is you who will be blessed!]]>The Spirit's Storytellertag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31699742013-04-27T11:46:20-04:002013-04-28T07:49:21-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/In Art, the Divine and Human meet."
Words are among the most deft tools creative spirits use to construct their masterpieces, but the barriers of languages may prevent beauty from soaring into eager hearts. That is why visual art is such a gift -- when we wish to broadcast our soul's desires to the world, we must only look to our paints and pencils. Meaning can be lost between tongues and translations, but art is understood instantly. The eyes, the mind, and the heart are fluent in its extraordinary language.
It is no wonder, then, that religious revelations around the world have spread through visual storytelling. When our souls are stirred, we are moved to create and share! When words cannot capture the immensity of a tale, an image can depict majesty and emotion in ways that are deeply felt. Masterpieces of such unshakable meaning are snapshots in time of when the touch of divinity enlightened mankind.
The breath of divine inspiration has brought such fantastically diverse works into being! The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by the gifted hands of Michelangelo, is a triumph of creation. Within its remarkable frescoes, viewers travel through biblical scenes brought to life. When one lifts their eyes to take in the exquisite details, they lift their eyes to Heaven.
In India, the mysteries of creation also inspired works of mythic brilliance. Astoundingly meticulous and skilled artists paid tribute to the surreal beauty of Shiva Nataraja, the god whose dance of destruction paves the way for the birth of a new universe. Gazing upon sculptures of this powerful deity ringed in sacred fire, you can feel the rhythm of his movements, breathtaking in grace and poise.
Both spirituality and art stoke the embers of our imagination, calling upon us to see beyond our sight and all that separates us, opening our eyes to the truth alive in each soul. They are the bright lights that guide us into supreme awareness. Most importantly, they illuminate us in hope, assuring us that our faith and persistence will open the gates of infinite possibilities of universal Love and Peace!]]>Capturing History on Canvastag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31225122013-04-20T10:36:50-04:002013-04-21T06:27:23-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/
Ana's Thought: "Original Art is a signpost for history."
When it seems to us that all is standing still, the earth's dance through space goes on - and so we are all taken for a fantastic voyage! We strive to capture events as they occur so that our history is not lost from us while moments, months, decades slip by. We wish to share the lessons we learn and our great accomplishments with all people, because each is a chapter in the collective story of mankind.
Records of time are kept in words so that future generations can read and reference to the journeys of those who came before them. Photos allow us to see how things were by capturing an instant, transporting us into the past. But art is the most unique of all our historical records - it enables us to experience the emotions of lost eras. Art communicates in ways that words and photos simply cannot.
Great art can define an age. As we walk down the path of man's existence, our eyes are drawn to the gilded majesty of the Renaissance, the soft, delicate grace of Impressionism, the breathtaking intricacy of Art Nouveau. With movements of such magnitude, the work becomes a part of the everyday, not confined to museum walls or frames. At its most powerful, art transcends any niche or scene to truly become the property of all - a force of life.
Art also serves as a cultural thermometer, indicating to viewers the political and social climate of its time. Picasso's magnificent and tragic Guernica spoke directly to the hearts of all who suffered through the Spanish Civil War. Changes in the nature of France's art spoke of the nation's unrest at the time of its Revolution - the shallow beauty of the Rococo style was abandoned in favor of stern, heroic Neo-classicism. Mankind turns to art to reflect on the shifting world, allowing us to process our emotional responses and find that we are never alone.
Artists of the present day must consider what record they are leaving behind for the generations to come. It is simple to become trapped in the details of just 'being,' neglecting the Big Picture - but if we do not strive to paint our era with the colors of beauty, how will we be remembered? May we use our gifts to both document the reality of our time and to work toward a better world where Love and Peace flourish.]]>A Prescription for the Soultag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30814362013-04-14T17:10:25-04:002013-04-15T14:41:54-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/
Ana's Thought: "Artist, Paint out your Hurts and you will be Healed."
Reader, call to mind your favourite painting and visualize it clearly. Let your mind wander gaily between each hue and stroke; make yourself part of its composition. After swimming through this sweet moment of reflection, do you feel calmer? If so, you have just witnessed art's tremendous power to soothe!
One of the marks of a Masterpiece is the great serenity it contains - the Divine ability to transport us into worlds of breath-taking beauty when clouds obscure the beauty of our own reality. Recall the lavish scenes and decadent palette found in Boticelli's work. When viewing The Birth of Venus, can you not hear the wind rustling the falling petals, feel the gentle waves lapping at your feet? Or envision Monet's enchanting water lily paintings with their dappled light and soft swirls of muted glory. The works are alive, beckoning us to release our worries - your eyes are delighted and your Soul breathes a sigh of relief! Such is the mark of art that man returns to time and time again, century after century. Within these Masterpieces, the gentle Hand of the Great Spirit reaches out to comfort us.
And this power to restore is very real! An increasing number of studies have investigated the link between the happiness of the mind and the health of the body. The field of psychoneuroimmunology explores the ways stress and negative thoughts affect physical and mental well-being. It has been found that surrounding yourself with positivity and beauty has a fantastic ability to heal. In the instant you see a gorgeous bloom, your heart reacts and you smile. When you focus on the Good in life, you bring even more Goodness to yourself.
The healing power of art extends beyond enjoyment of existing work. The act of making art has long been viewed as a therapeutic way to cope with ills of the body and mind. A blank canvas or page is a place to pour out all of your strife and transform it into something magnificent, a gift worthy of sharing. To the artist, creation is your truest confidante, the one to whom you bear all of your secrets. It offers relief that no medicine can bring - a pure prescription for healing the Soul, and the renewal of health and joy!]]>Patrons of the Soul's Songtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30326972013-04-07T10:18:03-04:002013-04-09T07:34:39-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/
Ana's Thought: "Artist, paint what you really Love and the world will be your cheerleader in due Time."
When we look upon beautiful works made by the hands of men, we may be swept off in their purity, the directness of vision that turned ideas into masterpieces. In doing so, we are quick to forget that no man - even the brightest, most inspired among us - creates entirely in isolation. History has taught us that the road to success is far more pleasant to walk upon when you are blessed with a companion at your side to champion your efforts.
For Georgia O'Keeffe, Alfred Stieglitz was such a champion. He realized the merit of her art immediately after he was given a sample of her sketches. Many exhibitions of her work, including an annual solo showcase, came to be through his insistence and dedication. He cultivated her acclaim with diligence. As a photographer and gallery owner, Stieglitz served as witness to her work and her life. The pair mutually influenced each other's art. By the time of Stieglitz's death, Georgia O'Keeffe was a name known throughout the world - and without his constancy and devotion to her gift, she may have fallen into obscurity. Truly, it is remarkable how great a difference it makes when there is someone who believes fully in your ability!
Though Vincent van Gogh did not find such a companion in life, his legacy was protected and brought into bloom by an equally significant caretaker. His sister-in-law, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, was the driving force behind the preservation and presentation of his art. When Johanna's husband, an esteemed art dealer, passed away, she took the reins of his business. Through years of observing her husband's trade, Johanna made it her mission to bring van Gogh's magnificent pieces into the limelight. Without her efforts, his paintings would have been forgotten, abandoned to all time with dust to dull their brilliance. When we stand in awe of the master, we must pause to appreciate those gifted with the foresight to give him praise, well before the world took notice.
When you set to task at your easel or desk and feel the weight of uncertainty press upon you, do not be afraid. Set your mind at ease - just trust in your ability to create wondrous things. When your work is done, share it with those dearest to your heart. Not only will they ease the burden of doubt, you will find them eager to sing of your talents to the world! When all is said and done, how sweet it will be to celebrate your victories in the company of those who knew you would overcome all along - the patrons of your soul's song.]]>Let Your Banner Flytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.29929052013-04-01T12:09:29-04:002013-04-01T15:51:51-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/The Greatest Art is a true mirror of the Artist's soul--out of step with the fashion of its time but in step with timelessness."
Shakespeare famously wrote, "To thine own self, be true." But when your words and actions are met with negativity, you may feel your spirit sinking down. How can we learn to withstand the withering blows of doubt, both from ourselves and from others?
When waves of doubt wash over you, look upon history for inspiration. Uniqueness and diligence are the co-authors of all progress, the forces sculpting cultures across the world. Those few bright runners carried within them the courage to speak, experiment, and create freely, even in the face of rejection. In doing so, they elevated the consciousness of all. They are the stars we follow when we cannot find our way, the charts with which we plot our course.
Galileo's revelations about the workings of the solar system were rejected by the people of his age. He was considered a heretic and was cast out from society. James Joyce, whose works have been subject to praise and scorn alike, did not let the opinions of others halt his creation. Curie, Van Gogh, Woolf, Keats, Thoreau... We have no shortage of fantastically unique--and, at times, divisive--individuals to study!
The great Mystery that is the Wisdom of the universe places the heaviest burdens on those who are destined to prove their strength and overcome - for they also possess the greatest promise. The power to rise when adversity calls is part of each of us, and it is both hardy and delicate; we must care for it tenderly so that it will come to bear fruit. Always recall that your soul is a precious creation unlike any that has come before it in time. Written within it are the words of a truth that only you can know. We are called to celebrate the gift of individuality by sharing our unique truth with the world.
When you feel as though a shadow has been cast over you, do not surrender. Set your sights higher and no one shall be able to beat you down. Dare to fly your banner proudly! When you carve your own path to walk upon, you join a grand tradition of bold explorers. The doubters will be lost to time; the truly original will resound throughout the ages. Persist and persevere so that your name will find its place among history's legends!]]>The Brightness Within Us Alltag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.29463292013-03-24T23:55:45-04:002013-03-25T14:56:15-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/
Ana's Thought: "Art possesses a limitless field of possibility within creation through the total freedom of choice."
Each day, the world wakes up and bursts into bloom, the sunrise promising to us through its radiance that the hours to come hold dazzling opportunities. In our finest moments, we bottle the brightness of the morning sun inside our souls so that it may shine out from us. This illumination is what grants us the ability to look beyond the darkness of life and persevere, resilient in the face of trouble and uncertainty. The night must exist to remind us that all darkness passes. And when we share the light within us, we offer the grace of the Universal Spirit to others. We become mirrors of the brilliance of a beautiful world.
Each day, I wake up delighted. The bright sun smiles upon me and I cannot help but to return its joy, so full of the thrill of being alive. The light that my soul catches is poured into my art, my gift to all. I am blessed because each of my days is spent doing what I love the most. I experience pure happiness as I create, and I set to task with the energy and glee of a child. I hope that those who look upon my paintings and sculptures are ignited with the same excitement that sparks my work.
During the past year, I have aimed to share my passion with an audience that spans the globe through Love & Peace. In this artistic journey, I have placed my vibrant, immense sculptures of poppies in public spaces and museums around the world, from London's Park Lane to Shenzhen, China. Their larger-than-life petals catch both the light that falls upon them and the reflections of those who have come to admire, making the surrounding world part of the exhibition.
I have created these joyous flowers as gathering spaces between the nations of the world, beacons of inspiration for all searching souls. As they travel to more lands and reflect more wonder, I hope that those who spend time with them are reminded that the possibilities for masterpieces can be found everywhere, within us all. We must simply keep our eyes open and let their brilliance shine upon us.
The birth of each day is the rebirth of our hearts. Cast your worries off into the night; do not hang your head in sorrow when you lie down to sleep. The morning is a fresh start if we choose to take it. What will you create today? Start on your masterpiece!]]>From Your Heart, Singtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.28962962013-03-17T13:49:25-04:002013-05-17T05:12:02-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/
Ana's Thought: "Great Art is born for the benefit of all Humanity from the Universal Spirit of Love."
Earlier this month, I was honoured to host a reception for the 57th UN Commission on the Status of Women at my Gallery in New York. So many bright minds and giving hearts converged for a night brimming with genuine hope, marked by the opening of critical dialogue about the sanctity of women's rights. A collection of my portraits capturing the struggles and triumphs of real women and girls around the world served as witness to the work of devoted stewards - those gracious individuals who are bringing us all into light. Such dedicated souls united out of love for their fellow denizens of this beautiful Earth, true delegates of global Love & Peace. I extend my most sincere thanks to UN Women, Roz Abrams, Don McPherson, Linda Fairstein, and all CSW participants - you have brought me and so many others joy.
There is one particular aspect of UN Women's efforts that has resonated deeply within me. In celebration of International Women's Day, the organization released a touching video for a song entitled "One Woman." Performed by dozens of talented female musicians from lands near and far, the song is a rallying cry, a glimpse of how divinity touches us when we are bound by the collaboration of our souls. The song has since spread from heart to heart, leaping over borders and all of the things that struggle to separate us, lifted by the immense power of universal truth.
"One Woman" is a precious gift: to young girls, it provides the spirit by which their potential will blossom, and to women, it is a poignant reminder of how none of us suffer alone. To all people, it showcases the fantastic ability of creative pursuits to draw awareness to life's most important matters; one cannot turn a blind eye to such striking and stirring force. The artists who contributed are unique and irreplaceable pieces of our world, a world in dire need of their genius and generosity - just as we all are so needed.
March is Women's History Month. Before the calendar page turns, I encourage all to search within themselves to discover how their talents and interests can serve those whose will has been snatched away. Through innovation and drive, we will see the day in which all can live free of darkness and fear, blooming with their faces to the sun. And when you are moved by the progress you've made in a changed world around you, sing from your heart - you will find that you are in harmony with creation and at peace with your soul.]]>A Glimpse of Paradisetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.28479972013-03-10T10:33:16-04:002013-05-10T05:12:01-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/
Ana's Thought: "Art awakens the soul to the beauty of the Universe."
When we unweave the braided fabric of history, our hands fill with the shimmering threads of experience that bind our past to our present. Any belief or practice we consider familiar was once a burst of insight in the mind of another. And so brilliance is born and reborn with each new day, a sun that rises with promise after each sunset.
Art trains our eyes to look beyond shapes and the names we have given them, blessing us with a shared universal language. Along with nature, it provides humanity with a timeless definition of beauty. When we call to mind the most magnificent night sky, many would likely envision Van Gogh's "Starry Night." Our memories of gorgeous flowers are filled with Monet's soft sprawl and O'Keeffe's exquisite studies. These pieces remain with us, housed in the private museums of our hearts, as the truest teachers of beauty we have.
The masters of art share their personal concepts of beauty in each scene they build on canvas, inviting us to make them our own. What art lover has not felt at home in the marvelous parties and countryside vistas of Renoir, or wished to travel to the tranquil seaside moments that Cassatt captured? We carry these soothing scenes with us in our lives, marrying them to our own experiences and giving them even deeper meaning.
Poussin and Gaugin took this viewer immersion even further, wrapping real places in myth: not only were their works representations of their own worlds, they were the artists' distinct interpretation of the Greek pastoral paradise of Arcadia. Art is the lens through which we see our surroundings for not only what they are, but for what they could be, granting us sight beyond vision.
Artists and writers are charged with the heavy but delicate responsibility of building the foundations upon which the dreams of the world take shape: writers give us words to describe our visions and artists give us pictures to make them tangible. These dreams - and, in turn, the art that inspires them - provide the soul with solace and sanctuary. They inspire hope within us, reminding us that there is more to living than the sufferings of our days, and more to the world than what we see around us. Even when all seems dark, we preserve this beauty in our minds, where it will always remain untarnished. In doing so, we create our own bright Paradise, invincible to the ravages of time - a shelter we go to in Life's storms.]]>An Artist's Lessons in Creationtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27965492013-03-02T11:05:40-05:002013-05-02T05:12:02-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/Your Art will find its own path - just do it, and you will find peace."
To young artists first picking up their pencils and paintbrushes, the idea of creating can seem so daunting. For every ounce of enthusiasm you carry, there creeps a shadow of uncertainty - and with so many masters before you, gazing down from hallowed museum walls, you may be tempted to not bother, to quit before you start!
I have spoken with many aspiring creators about their fears and dreams within art, and their struggles are often ones I have shared. But in my many years of practicing art full-time, I have collected precious pearls of insight that have guided me along the path of growth. I wish to share with you a handful of these drops of wisdom, as they provide me with the courage to create with my fullest passion.
Inspiration will come to you with the force, brilliance, and speed of lightning - you must be quick to catch its charge! Ideas can escape from you within a blink, depriving you of the opportunity to grant them the fullness of life. Be ever receptive to the glimmering, dancing world around you. Live through each of your senses at all times, and absorb all you can. The events and scenes you encounter are captured quietly and will develop within you.
When you set to work, let your hands move fluidly. Act upon your impulses so that you create organic shapes that look as natural as they feel. Get lost in the motion and the action; inhabit the processes of your work, where nothing can disturb you. Do not let the mind interfere with the purity of this divine process, as it will only hinder this meditation of the soul that results in the birth of true beauty.
Do not trouble yourself with accuracy, how your creation compares against reality. Exact copies of subjects lack the fingerprint of the unique being who created it. Look to the greatest masterpieces in history - we praise innovation and heart over realism.
There is no critique or contrarian opinion whose sting is stronger than that of inactivity, the choice to not create. Always, always work through your desires, even when they overwhelm you - there are few greater rewards than the relief and victory of completing pieces that challenge you.
Recall always that there is the magic of possibility within you, the potential that blesses us all. Respect this miraculous gift by using it graciously, and give thanks for it by sharing it with others. Trust in yourself and in the guiding hand of the universe - do not be afraid, for only sweetness will follow when art emerges from your heart. You are a true original!
]]>Defending Beauty in the Age of Commoditytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27488002013-02-23T10:38:51-05:002013-04-25T05:12:01-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/The depth of my soul is measured by the profundity of my art."
When we remember the defining moments of art history, we call to mind the painters and sculptors of the Renaissance - the geniuses Michelangelo, Raphael, da Vinci, Dürer, Van Eyck - those driving forces in a new age of realism who broke ground in perspective and colour. They chose to serve as mirrors to their lives and their beliefs. In the Baroque period, Caravaggio and Bernini imbued their works with potent emotion - to this day, their art is irresistible to the eye of the beholder, for it resonates deeply within our hearts. Amid the sea of splendor that is our past, one cannot help but ask what today's art world offers in response.
Today's world is one of commodity. Modern culture demands that our gratification be instant - and in turn, all things are made instantly! Our idea of success is something that darts by with all the quickness and effete of a shooting star. Media insists that our attention span not last longer than a handful of moments, and shock value and sensationalism sing their siren songs to eager ears. Among all of this disarray, it has become quite rare to find the pairing of substance and beauty. We are told to reject the idea that art was something once considered 'fine', that beauty is archaic.
In the age of masters, it was understood that art flourishes when properly cultivated. Instinct was important, yes, but true magnificence was mastered by learning. Through institutions like Florence's Accademia e Compagnia delle Arte di Disegno, promising and passionate artists were given ample opportunity to develop their skills. The modern push to constantly accelerate stifles the promise of creative souls, deprives them of the life experience necessary to awaken the greatness asleep inside them.
As artists, there are difficult questions ahead - who among us will be brave enough to rise up and answer why have we chosen to turn our backs on beauty and emotion? Why must our celebrations of the wondrous human body be distorted and turned in to pornography? What messages are we spreading through our art, and to whom do they speak? Above all, can we still expect to ignite fires that will burn forever, marking our time as something resplendent, in an age that praises only entertainment and shock value?]]>To View Art From Both Sides: The Creator and the Critictag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27019492013-02-16T12:43:01-05:002013-04-18T05:12:01-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/Critic, be gentle with your words, for they are the arrows that kill the Heart of Inspiration."
For all of its magnificent offerings and dazzling opportunities, the art world is capable of such cruelty. One can pour their soul, the very essence of his or her self, into a creation, only to then stand by as it is smashed apart by a single word of opposition. For every reward shining before the artist at work, there is incalculable risk to one's identity and well-being.
It may serve as a comfort for creative souls to know that acclaim, when it is real, builds slowly. Those whose brilliance flashes in dramatic flares before the public eye will see their success flicker out - as quickly as a stray spark without kindling - and history shall not remember them. Art is a practice, requiring incredible strength and dedication to the patient pursuit of ideas. A genuine life of art cannot be solely an aim for some imagined pinnacle, particularly when the odds of securing that elusive fame are so slim.
In truth, gaining the attention that so many young hopefuls covet offers no guarantee toward a path of éclat. Many of the names in our celebrated creative canon were subject to ridicule and degradation in their own day. Van Gogh, for instance, now seen universally as a gifted genius of art, sold only one work over the course of his career. The patrons and critics active during El Greco's lifetime largely disregarded his exquisitely unique paintings. Outside of visual art, countless wonderful talents - from Carmen composer Georges Bizet to the ineffable Edgar Allan Poe - did not live to see how their efforts touched the lives of so many. The heights of success were only reached long after the ink had dried and the easels covered in dust.
And sometimes, idle ignorance is not the only slight the artist may receive! In 1877, James Abbott McNeill Whistler, a spirited painter of life, brought esteemed art critic John Ruskin to court with charges of libel after a particularly unforgiving and misleading review of his work. While Whistler saw victory in the case, the cost of the proceedings left him penniless. He, too, was not recognized for his superior vision until after his death.
To the aspiring creators who feel as though their efforts are wasted, belittled by a harsh world, recall that the eyes of time are sharper and wiser than those of man. In this very moment, there are artists and writers among us making masterpieces, but we will never know of them until their hands have come to rest. The artist is mortal, but her works are immortal. Pursue your passions with the whole of your heart in the hope that the hearts of others will someday sing of your gifts.
To critics, I advise you to be mindful of the power you possess: your craft may make or break the will of another. Be judicious and conscientious, and do not let your position inflate your sense of worth. Above all, be considerate in choosing your words - for someday, history may make you eat them.]]>Love: The Language of the Universetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.26526152013-02-09T10:43:19-05:002013-04-11T05:12:01-04:00Ana Tzarevhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-tzarev/My Art is born of endless Passion for the Beauty of Life."
As Valentine's Day approaches, people across the world feel moved to speak from their hearts, letting their emotions pour forth in displays of affection for those they cherish. But no paper card or expensive gemstone can contain the immense force that is Love.
In my eyes, Love is the axis of all creation. It is in the matter composing every flower and fluttering bird, every majestic ocean and trickling stream, each woman and man equally. When chaos and darkness threaten to overthrow the balance of life, Love is gravity, the uniting law of Nature that binds down to our very atoms.
Love defies all definition, for each time it is touched by light, another facet of its beauteous face is revealed to us. As such, we give it many names: the Ancient Greeks described the kinds of Love as charity (agape), romance (eros), the bond between families (storge), and friendship (philia). In the Chinese Buddhist tradition, ai indicates deep feelings of universal Love that can lead to either selfish indulgence or the purest enlightenment, while ren, from Confucian practice, is the 'everyday' Love that preserves order in interactions.
It is a fantastic power, capable of being constructive or destructive depending upon how it is used by those it leaves enchanted. Constructive Love is giving, transformative, and transcendent--the very foundations upon which civilization rests. Destructive Love is characterized by lust, jealousy, and temptation--insidious feelings that lead only to emptiness. Religions throughout time have worshiped gods and goddesses who act as avatars of these faces of Love--from vengeful Hera and vain Aphrodite to charming Krishna and dazzling Tripurasundarĩ. Each kind of Love is unique and serves its own distinct purpose, necessary to the development of human character.
Like so many generations of artists before me, I am stirred by Love to create. Love & Peace, my global sculptural project, was born from Love in my soul as a way to reflect the beauty of life. This Valentine's Day, I pay tribute to all of the wonders I have seen by giving these tremendous flowers to all open hearts, a bouquet blooming over oceans and borders in the colours of Love. For Love needs no translator: is the language of the universe, the nucleus of this dancing galaxy made to delight us. It is every joy we celebrate and every hope we cling to, the essence of Truth--all else falls away, and at all times Love remains constant.
