The Beauty of an Elusive Moment
Interview with Katerina Kvacheva
1. Tell us a little about your education and creative path.
My artistic journey began at the Minsk State Gymnasium-College of Arts at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts, where I studied art and sculpture. It was an exciting but challenging time. I was surrounded by talented students, many of whom came from families of well-known architects and artists.
Being part of that environment pushed me to grow, find my own voice, and discover what kind of artist I wanted to become.
After graduating, I decided to explore a different direction without leaving art behind. I chose hairstyling and makeup, a field that allowed me to combine my artistic background with fashion, beauty, and a practical craft. I was fortunate to discover a natural talent for it. My art education had given me a strong sense of color, form, proportion, style, and art history, all of which became essential to my work as a makeup artist and hairstylist. I took part in national and international competitions and graduated with a master stylist qualification.
This opened the door to the world of fashion photography. I began creating shoots for fashion magazines, working alongside photographers, stylists, set designers, and creative teams. It was a wonderful period of my life. My work took me to different parts of the world, introduced me to inspiring people, and gave me the opportunity to collaborate with well-known fashion and accessory brands and internationally recognized photographers. Seeing these projects come to life and eventually appear in magazines was incredibly rewarding.
Yet, throughout all these years, I never stopped painting. Art was always there, almost like a quiet refuge I could return to, no matter how busy my professional life became. Everything I saw, experienced, and felt found its way into my work. Fashion taught me to look at beauty from different perspectives, while travelling gave me a deeper appreciation for the atmosphere of places, their colors, and the little details that often go unnoticed.
Today, I have returned to painting with a deeper understanding of myself and a much richer collection of experiences to draw from. I feel that I have finally come to the work I was always meant to do. When I travel, I try to take my brushes and paints with me and buy canvases wherever I arrive. I love the idea of capturing a place not just as it looks, but as it feels in a particular moment.
I don’t know exactly where life will take me next or what other paths I may explore. I have learned to stay curious and leave room for change. But I know that art will always remain at the heart of everything I do. It is not simply my profession. It is the way I experience the world and make sense of it.
2. Describe what a typical day for an artist looks like.
My usual day as an artist is not much different from an ordinary day for anyone else. Sometimes it is a creative chaos filled with the search for meaning and inspiration. Sometimes it is an energetic day when I have many tasks to complete, work on several professional projects, practice yoga, and meet up with friends. And sometimes it is simply a serene and peaceful day spent at home under a blanket, with a favorite movie and a cup of aromatic coffee.
My favorite time of day is the morning, when I can get in the right mindset for the day, make myself a luxurious breakfast to the sounds of jazz, and write out my plans for the day. I also try to travel often, and I may find myself on the road or exploring a new country.
3. What are your sources of inspiration?
For me, the source of inspiration is life in motion. It is new roads and travels, the journey in motion that I undertake, new stories and encounters, and the exploration of different cultures and the mysteries of art. I am also inspired by observing people, their feelings, relationships, and life stories. Sometimes I draw themes for my work from personal experience and memories, and sometimes a plot may even come to me in a dream. I have always been interested in looking at ordinary things a little differently.
4. What are the main themes in your work?
The themes of my work often include moments when reality becomes similar to a dream. I want to create a world where atmosphere is more important than plot, and familiar objects begin to tell their own mysterious stories. In my works, I often leave symbols and encrypted messages. I think it is wonderful when the viewer discovers something of their own in them, evoking a sense of nostalgia, subtle irony, tenderness, quiet anxiety, or a love of beauty. For me, it is important not to tell a story, but to leave behind its aftertaste and the beauty of an elusive moment.
5. How does your creative life influence other aspects of your life?
Creative thinking changes the way you see the world. It’s like a subtle kind of magic that exists in every aspect of life, making it more charming, colorful, and dramatic.
Creativity also brings people together. It helps people who share a similar spirit find each other, connect, and become friends.
I’m always happy to spend time with other artists, and especially happy to create art together.
My friends and I have started a tradition of getting together every Thursday to paint. It was a great idea, and we absolutely love these fun and crazy gatherings. At first, it’s hard to make yourself start, but then you just can’t stop painting. These evenings combine inspiration, meditation, solitude, laughter, and a little creative madness. When we begin, nobody knows how our works will turn out. Sometimes, the results surprise even us.
And at the end of the evening, we’re simply happy that we’ve created something with our own hands. For me, it’s a kind of reset, a chance to step away from everyday life and let my thoughts go.
Creativity also introduces me to talented people from different fields, including designers, dancers, photographers, and other artists. I’ve worked on body art projects where the human body became a canvas, and creating a look turned into a collaboration between several creative people.
6. Is an artist’s life lonely?
I think an artist’s life naturally involves a certain amount of solitude. At least, that’s how it is for me. I love exciting events, parties, and spending time with my close friends, especially those who know how to laugh and enjoy life. But I also need plenty of time alone to reconnect with myself and my thoughts.
Honestly, I often feel the greatest sense of happiness and freedom when I’m on my own. I don’t really experience loneliness in those moments because I feel connected to myself and comfortable in my own world.
My relationship with loneliness is a little complicated. I believe that a person can feel lonely when they have lost touch with themselves, when they haven’t built that inner sanctuary and learned to love their own company. And, of course, you can feel lonely even when you’re with someone. Being surrounded by people doesn’t always mean feeling connected.
But being alone with yourself can be a beautiful experience. It gives you space, freedom, and the chance to hear your own thoughts without the noise of the outside world. Perhaps creative people understand this feeling especially well.
There’s a phrase I’ve always loved and often share with the people closest to me: loneliness is the other side of freedom.
7. What practical advice would you give to fellow artists?
First of all, don’t be afraid to be yourself. Even if you’re not recognized yet, even if people criticize your work, don’t give up your unique style just to please someone. Keep working, keep experimenting, and keep improving your skills. Don’t lose your connection with art just because things aren’t happening as quickly as you hoped.
Don’t be afraid to learn from the great masters, either. Copying their work while you’re learning isn’t something to be ashamed of. Study them, try different techniques, and see what you can take from their experience. So much has already been done in art, but there’s always room for your own interpretation.
Keep expanding your idea of beauty. Look at art, photography, fashion, architecture, films, and things that have nothing to do with art at first glance. You never know where your next idea will come from.
Love your work. Treat your paintings like your children. You put a part of yourself into them, so don’t undervalue them or give them away in a moment of excitement just because someone likes them. You might regret it later. Learn to appreciate what you create and give your work the value it deserves.
And finally, don’t be afraid to spend time alone. Enjoy your own company, get comfortable with your thoughts, and use that time to create. You don’t always need an audience, approval, or someone telling you what to do. Sometimes, all you need is yourself, your ideas, and a blank canvas.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvakiart/
