About me

Halyna Konstantyuk

“The virtual gallery will be a small window to the world of art”

“I enjoy to draw people who inspire me or I like. Sometimes an ordinary passerby can become my hero.”

Hello Ms. Galyna! Can you recall the time when you realized that you want to dedicate your life to the artwork? When did you feel the first moment of inspiration and what does it involve?
– I always enjoyed drawing and painting. However, I never planned or even had a desire to become an artist. I just loved the process. I enjoyed myself during that process. In high school I was more attracted to the stage, I dreamt of theatre. I was very lucky to enter the Lviv College of Decorative and Applied Art named after I.Trush. There I found out how to be an artist with the love to the theatre, singing and creativity. I always get an inspiration to work and create. Whenever I go or whatever do, I always want to capture on canvas all these moments, thoughts and characters.

Sometimes artists try out different techniques and styles during the creative career. Have you also tried out different styles? What style do you prefer the most now? What kind of style can you consider as “yours”?
– My creative career happened in a different way. I never go after a particular style or wanted to copy someone or something in order to fit into that style. I enjoy the style in special things that always inspire me. As for the creative style, I never sought it. Yes, without a doubt, there are great artists whose works have a distinct style. But I do not go after that. For me it is not that important to fit into a particular style and to be limited only to it, but to put my heart and soul into my creation and to fill it with emotions. I enjoy paintings that can attract attention, are full of emotions, inspire and delight the eye. So for me it is more important the emotional state rather than professional valuation.

Which of the Ukrainian or foreign artists do you consider as a role-model and why?
– I like the large number of contemporary artists and many more predecessors. From everyone I pick up something, learned or get inspired. It is a great and endless process of self-perfection, when you notice something new and interesting that teaches or develops you. Some artists work all day round. And some pick up a brush only when a “muse” calls on.

How does this process happen to you?
– I love my job. This is what makes me happy. As for the “muse”, it is always with me because it never happens to me that one day I want to draw something and the other day I do not feel like painting or nothing comes of it. My creative process is constant, endless; I create, dream and live. That’s all my life, my joy and inspiration. And do you know what I really want? – I want it to last as long as possible.

What is depicted in your pictures? What kind of pictures do you paint and why?
– I enjoy to draw people who inspire me or I like. Sometimes an ordinary passerby can become my hero. Mostly I draw girls and women, each of which has their own story and drama. I like to draw portraits that can tell their own story without words. Just looking on pictures you can feel and imagine the story of the depicted person.

In Ukraine there are many talented and artistic personalities. However, only some become famous. Some artists give up too soon, some don’t have money for self-realization and some are not appreciated or accepted by society. Do you make it the aim to achieve universal recognition and fame? Or does your creative work is a way of life?
– I consider my creative work as a kind of stage with the help of which I can bring different emotions or opinions to people’s hearts. I am really pleased to have my own audience and followers. However, as for the fame – I do not know what it is. I consider myself as an employee who does the work. And this work should bring joy. It is a way of life, when you can’t live without creativity, you live for your work. When the need to work or creative impulse is overwhelming, you have to share it with others. And it is not for fame or universal recognition but simply you can’t do that in any other way.

Creative people are always special and extraordinary. They are often called weirdos, because they perceive the surrounding reality in a different way. Do you also have some “oddness”?
– I like the word “wonder” because it is special. I like to make unexpected, bombshell and pleasant surprises even if that seems a bit childlish. As for the oddities, the fact that I draw is my greatest eccentricity.

You iniciated the development of the art website that will be some kind of virtual gallery. What is the purpose of its development and what does it represent?
– Just about every artist has a love in their heart for everything and everyone around them, and has a desire to communicate with like-minded people or simply to hear other opinions. There must be synthesis and interaction between those who create and those who see the works. The first goal of the website as a virtual gallery is to provide an opportunity for everyone, without exception, to view pictures. After all, not everyone has the opportunity to visit galleries or exhibitions. There are also some people with limited mobility but with a great love for art. This site should be a small window to the world of art.

Do you plan to upload only your works or there will be also collected paintings created by other artists?
– There will be only my works for a start. But if there is the desire or need for new ideas, new names or works then surely everything will be possible.

Can anyone buy a picture from your website?
– First of all, the website is some kind of art gallery, where the pictures are presented, and art works are collected. Where everyone has an ability to view and admire them. However, if someone wants to buy a painting it will also be possible on site.

Nowadays our country is in a difficult situation. There is a great level of disappointment and frustration in society. People have shown a surprising apathy toward these problems. Art is often viewed as an anti depressant. Do you think that the art can help people to get out of depression and why?
– Art is an anti depressant for those people who make it. I agree with this statement completely. During the creative process all your thoughts, emotions are engaged in the creative work and you always have a motivation to move on, work, create and to show your works to others. I think that when people see beautiful works, symphasize the picture’s story it gives pleasure from what they see and also helps to overcome apathy.

Thank you for your communication. I hope your virtual gallery occupies the rightful place in the artistic life of the region or perhaps even in the entire country. I wish you much inspiration and new achievements in you art work.

Interview taken by Nina Fedko

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Just about every artist has a love in their heart for everything and everyone around them, and has a desire to communicate with like-minded people or simply to hear other opinions. There must be synthesis and interaction between those who create and those who see the works.