Interview with Dolly G

Q1: Before you introduce yourself and the type of work you are in, can you possibly share what we missed out on from your progress in 2011, events, commissions, projects etc?

A: My name is Dolly Georieva-Gode. I’m a traditional artist from Sofia, Bulgaria and currently live in the United States. As for 2011 my efforts were focused mainly on commissioned work and introspection. Creating art as a job is something new for me and I had to find out where I stand and whether or not I can truly devote myself to it. My art is still a work in progress and I have yet to earn a name or the opportunity to participate in any major events. I promise I will have more exciting news for the next year.

Q2: When did you realize your art was important, that your art was what you wanted to do, did anyone influence you, existing digital or traditional artists?

A: I have always known that creating art is what I need to do, but unfortunately I’ve given up on it many times through out my life. As a kid it was the only thing to give me comfort and purpose in a harsh reality, then for the longest time I was discouraged and tried to peruse other careers. Since I have come to the U.S. I’ve been trying to give it another chance, more time and effort.

As far as inspirational artists, I find new ones to admire every single day. It’s amazing what people can do with their hands and imagination! There is no way I remember all their names, but the images definitely inspire me to be more creative and do better. Two of my favourite traditional artists whose style I might be subconsciously influenced by are Alphonse Mucha and Norman Rockwell.

Q3: Can you explain what your main tools are in creating your art?, and also would you encourage others to update their equipment or master what they have before taking on something new – is the need to update equipment or software programs important in order to producing art?

A: My preferred mediums are graphite, colour pencils, oil pastels and paints.

Yes! I think artists have to be able to develop and change with time and according to their environment. Being stagnant and staying in your comfort zone is a definite mistake many of us make, which keeps us from reaching our true potential. Artists are people who should inspire the rest of the population to see the world in a different way. They are supposed to open new horizons, promote original ideas, take risks.

Of course updating equipment is important; otherwise you can not stay in the competition when better products are created around you. With that said however, the most important thing still remains to learn the basic foundation of skills and then build on top of it. We also must remember to learn, respect and be inspired by the past, but not to get stuck in it.

Q4: Everyone endures a long or short process of learning and adapting, as well as the ability of mixing up styles from existing tutorials. How was your experience of learning your own art? And what would you suggest to others who are trying to learn of their own ‘art’?

A: Mind you I am still learning my art and I think every other artist would say the same. I don’t think I have a style and that has been bugging me for a while, but then I realized that I’m a type of person that can never move in one direction. I like diversity and there is just too much that fascinates me, too many things I want to try; which is the reason why I might never master any particular type of art but that’s fine. I prefer to be a free spirit and constantly surprise myself and my viewers rather than be distinguished for a particular art style.

What I would suggest to others trying to pursue art is: Please, try to make art with a purpose/meaning behind it. No matter if beautiful or ugly, if it has substance and comes from the heart it will be more valuable, people will notice it and you will be satisfied. It does take more effort to develop an actual idea and make a quality work out of it, but it is worth it. I think that’s important and it is what I am trying to achieve with my art.

Q5: How would you describe the important elements of creating ‘art’? is it important to create a guide or notes of what to do and what not to do when you begin the long process of creating an art piece?

A: Yes, it is important to have a plan. I always spend a lot of time thinking, writing down ideas, researching for images, techniques, sketching etc and it seems like it’s never enough. I think that more than 50% of a creative process happens in the artist’s head. You need the right ingredients and a lot of patience to develop an original concept, and not every artwork will be a “masterpiece”. Sometimes even though I put so much thought in a painting at the end I realise I still did so many mistakes and in order to fix it I have to start from the beginning. Well that probably is easier with digital art, but none the less quality art doesn’t just happen. It needs work.

Q6: It is very common to endure the ‘struggles’ and the ‘weight’ of art around you, what were the struggles that you encountered and how would you suggest to others on how to cope with it?

A: Frankly since I started trying to do art for a living it’s been nothing but a struggle, I’m a self taught artist, who has done this mostly for fun so I have a lot of blanks on basics that other artist have mastered a long time ago. I found out that there is a vast competition out there and have been battling with low self esteem issues ever since. Also the business part, which I hate…marketing/selling my art, dealing with clients looking for way to expose and get recognized… I sometimes wish to go back to the days of innocence when there wasn’t anybody to impress… am I being too honest? Well, someone once told me that you should never try to do art for the money or for the other’s approval. Draw whatever brings you joy and fulfilment, and there will be people to follow. You can not make everybody happy and trying to is certainly not the point.

Q7: Besides the current field of work you are in, do you have anything outside that you would like to share with us? Any other future plans that don’t involve creative art?

A: Yes I do! My second passion has always been dance, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. I do plan to work as a trainer or dance instructor one day. I also would love to apply some of my skills into culinary arts, may be as a small private business.

Q8: A few artists go by a quote or a motto to keep reminding them selves to work hard and think positive if they are to encounter ‘a bad day’. So are there any words you want to share out to others that may inspire them to work hard and continue working. An inspirational quote to motivate others?

A: Hmm, I like reading quotes, but for some reason they never stick in my mind. Maybe because they are not written by people I know… I think I prefer real life lessons and motivators. As for words I want to share, it applies not only for creating art but in general: Don’t waste your time with self pity, doubt and negativity. Learn to adjust your point of view and see things with an open mind and positive attitude. Live consciously, explore, learn, be free, have fun with whatever you choose to do…it’s about the journey, not the destination.

Q9: Any predictions of what the future holds for art?

A: Oh, I’m sure that art will be fine in the future. Talented people will always exist and create, and their work will always be valued. Of course it’s silly to assume that it will be the same art as we know it from the past and the present. Times change and the forms of art will certainly change. It’s hard for people to accept change, they think new equals bad, that modern culture is deteriorating and we are doomed in the future. I think humans are better than that and I have faith in the new generations of artists. The only important thing for them to keep in mind is to be original and follow their own creative spirit.

Q10: I’m sure you have sites you would like to share with us of your work, so please do share them with us here for fans and followers to keep an update of your progress.

A: My art related pages are:

Deviant Art profile: http://adolin-of-light.deviantart.com/

DA portfolio: http://portfolio.deviantart.com/

Model Mayhem page: http://www.modelmayhem.com/2353831

My fitness and nutrition related page is:

Body Space profile: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Dolly_G/

My personal FB account is:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=541165854

Q11: Last year I asked a question regarding ‘art theft’ this year will be no different. Do you have anything you would like to share out regarding ‘art theft’ and maybe also shed some light on what artists should do when exposing their art work on the vast world of the internet.

A: I’m still learning about this myself, so I’m afraid I have nothing to say, except protect your art and post low resolution online images with a water mark embedded.

Q12: I didn’t get the chance to include this question for 2011, so here it is for you. Everyone has their own opinions regarding the meaning of art, or the definition of art. Any chance we can hear what you think art is from you?

A: Ha ha ha I hate this question It’s like trying to define love…who cares?! You can’t trap all the dimensions of a feeling in one sentence, because it loses its meaning and its beauty. Until you get into the artist’s shoes you’ll never understand what their particular art is about. You can only guess and may be try to see yourself in it. That’s why art is so intriguing, because everyone will read and translate it in their own way. Art is born from one’s own experience, a lifetime of influence from the world the artist lives in; age, culture, society, personality, genetics, hell should I include previous lives too…? All those impressions, thoughts and feelings combined in an original artefact (painting, song, poem, dance etc) is what we call art. Art is a personal expression!

The one thing that makes the art legit though is the talent. You ether have it or you don’t.

Q13: And finally for the last question to round off our interview, ‘a picture says a thousand words’ or ‘tell a story’ out of your current portfolio, do you have one that you favour the most and why? Is there a subliminal message within your work?

A: There is a subliminal message in most of my works that are not commissioned. Most of them are drawn from personal experience which sometimes is painful, so it is somewhat of a love/hate relationship between me and my drawings.

For example the one called “The art of self destruction”, one of my recent ones. There are so many symbols and meaning behind it, that it will take me forever to explain, but here it goes briefly. It’s about the duality in a person…The two sides of me stuck in one body always trying to overcome each other. One is the intellectual, kind, sensitive, honest but too shy, obsessive, mysterious, dark. The other is the material, free spirited, creative, bold, but superficial, frivolous, wicked, uncontrollable. If the two sides can’t learn to work together I will fail, which that failure is seen as the burned empty corn field as a reflection in the mirror. There is more to it, but I think that says enough.

Q14: Ok so this is optional, just out of curiosity what annoys you the most in your field of work? Do you get a lot of requests on art collabs, interviews, features etc etc?

A: I didn’t think that there was something in particular that annoys me, until you asked that question. Lol What annoys me is viewers who can’t accept diversity, who are narrow minded, arrogant and aggressive. Ignorant viewers who draw conclusions without bothering to look beyond the surface of an artwork and voice their opinion because they think it’s important. To those people I’d say: Just go back to sleep!

No, I don’t get many requests yet. Hopefully in the future I will.

Thank you Khuan Tru for your interview. It was pleasure!