We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Oleksandra-Kseniia Prokopchuk a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Oleksandra-Kseniia, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
For me, creativity is not just a process; it’s a way to express my emotions and experiences, a way to show how I see the world and teach others to see the beauty around them. I nurture my creativity through small moments of inspiration that are always nearby, if you just listen carefully and observe. I am inspired by nature, science, religion, mysticism, and music. Often, simply going for a walk with my dogs or looking at the clouds or stars gives me new ideas. I especially draw inspiration from dreams. I am fascinated by the little things, like the veins in a leaf that resemble veins or neural pathways, the waves of the ocean that seem to speak to you, or playing with imagination and turning music into physical images, imagining what it would look like if it were alive.
But the most important thing is not to force creation, follow others, or prove something to anyone. When I allow myself to relax and not set overly high goals, my creativity comes naturally. It’s like a dance between my emotions and the world around me, between my understanding of how this world is built. For me, the most important thing is to be open to the world, to the opportunities it presents, to be honest with myself, and not to follow the crowd.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an artist specializing in the creation of conceptual works that explore the intersection of emotions, perception, and reality. My art is a journey of self-expression and discovery, where I dive into visual storytelling, often drawing inspiration from the world around me—nature, dreams, music, and mysticism. For me, each piece is a reflection of my inner world and a way to invite others to see the beauty in the small things that often go unnoticed.
I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. However, my professional education took a different path. I graduated with a Master’s degree in International Economics and Diplomacy at the request of my parents, who feared that an artist’s career wouldn’t provide me with financial stability. But the real push for my artistic career came after my divorce, when I was left without money and after a long break in my work, as we had spent several years traveling the world, supporting my husband’s career. The divorce was not only a painful experience but also a crucial moment of reevaluation and the beginning of my true path.
After that, I started working as an illustrator, creating beautiful children’s books, and also teaching art to both children and adults. At the same time, I began developing my skills in visual presentation for social media and music project covers. Another important milestone was creating frame-by-frame animation and a music video for a Ukrainian band.
However, the biggest push for my creative development came during the war. I found myself in the Netherlands, having arrived for a weekend, with my return ticket no longer valid after February 24, when the war began. This became a moment when I created a series of paintings that were later exhibited in a gallery in Amsterdam.
What excites me most about my work is the ability to translate my personal experiences into art and share it with others. I aim not only to create visually appealing pieces but also to spark deeper conversations about our perceptions, emotions, and the invisible forces that shape our lives. My art invites viewers to pause, reflect, and engage with the world more consciously.
Currently, I am working on new projects that combine various media, integrating both traditional and digital techniques to expand the boundaries of visual art. My focus on creating interactive experiences allows people to engage more deeply with the meaning behind the works, whether through exhibitions, online platforms, or collaborations with other artists. I am also actively developing my presence in the art community, both in the digital and physical realms, and eagerly anticipate new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I can say that the three most impactful qualities that helped me on my journey are:
1. Flexibility and the ability to adapt — Life often presented me with new challenges, and I learned how to adapt to changing circumstances. From my divorce to the war, each moment taught me to learn from new situations and find the strength to start again. And even when an adult in the art world told me that I had no talent when I was 15 — now I realize how absurd that was!
2. Openness to new ideas, taking risks, and willingness to experiment — This allowed me to find my own style and overcome difficulties. I learned not to listen to others, to believe in myself, and to find inspiration within. Every risk was a chance to get closer to my true path.
3. Resilience and determination — Although periods of uncertainty and pain are always tough, I realized that resilience in the face of adversity and determination to move forward are essential for achieving my goals. For me, there was no other option than to create my own happy life, even when the path seemed difficult.
As for advice for those just starting their journey:
1. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Creativity is not just about talent but also the courage to try new approaches. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as they are part of learning. And don’t be afraid if someone doesn’t like what you do — there will always be people who don’t share your perspective.
2. Be ready for change. Life is unpredictable, and it’s important to be able to adapt to new circumstances. If you can embrace change with an open heart, you’ll find new opportunities even in the most challenging situations.
3. Don’t give up in the face of difficulties. Your resilience and determination will define how far you can go. Remember, even in the darkest moments, if you don’t stop, you’re getting closer to your goal.
4. Don’t choose a mentor for life. Following someone blindly can cause you to lose yourself. It’s better to become your own mentor, develop your own vision, and act according to it.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The people who have helped me the most in overcoming difficulties and shaping the key skills and qualities I needed to succeed have always been those with bright, kind souls. They appeared in my life at exactly the right moments, almost as if an angel had placed them there. Sometimes their help was physical or material, but other times, it was simply two words from a stranger that opened my eyes to a question I had been struggling to understand. Their presence in my life, whether for a brief moment or an extended period, has had a profound impact on my growth. These are the people who taught me not only the value of resilience but also the importance of connection and empathy in navigating life’s challenges.
For me, an essential mission in life has become to help others in return — to offer my assistance to those who need it, just as I was helped when I needed it most.
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