We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elzara Yusufova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elzara below.
Hi Elzara, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Building confidence and self-esteem has been a gradual process for me, shaped by both personal and professional experiences. One of the key factors was consistently challenging myself—whether through new artistic projects, moving to new countries, or teaching. Every time I faced a new challenge and overcame it, I gained a little more confidence in my abilities.
Another important aspect was learning to embrace mistakes and setbacks as part of the journey. Early on, I realized that perfection wasn’t the goal, and that failure often leads to growth. This helped me develop resilience, which in turn boosted my self-esteem.
Finally, surrounding myself with a supportive community—both in the art world and in my personal life—played a huge role. Positive feedback from peers and mentors, as well as seeing the impact of my teaching on students, reinforced my sense of self-worth and belief in what I was doing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m an artist and teacher with a focus on impressionist and contemporary painting. My journey began with a deep love for art from a young age, which led me to study architecture and later plein air painting, learning from Ukrainian and Russian impressionist traditions. Over time, I’ve developed a style that blends vibrant color and emotion to capture both the beauty of nature and the human experience.
Right now, my main focus is on running my studio, where I teach painting to both children and adults. It’s incredibly rewarding to share my passion with others and help them explore their own creativity. I believe in nurturing talent and encouraging a deeper understanding of art, rather than just seeing it as a hobby.
What’s most exciting to me is the connection art creates—whether it’s the bond I share with my students or the way my work resonates with people. I’m also preparing for some new ventures. I’ll be launching an oil painting course this fall, focusing on the essentials of impressionism, and I’ll be participating in local art fairs where I showcase my latest works and prints.
In addition to teaching, I’m also developing a new direction for my studio, focused on hosting art parties, birthdays, and themed events. This fall, for Halloween, we’ll be trying something new— a glow-in-the-dark art party where we’ll paint in the dark with glowing paints. It’s an exciting way to bring people together to experience art in a fun, creative setting.
I’m always working on something new, and I’m excited to continue growing both as an artist and a teacher.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, I would say the three qualities or skills that had the most impact were perseverance, adaptability, and a strong foundation in the fundamentals of art.
1. Perseverance: The art world can be full of ups and downs, and there are times when progress feels slow or uncertain. But staying committed to your vision, even when challenges arise, is key. To develop perseverance, I would advise those starting out to embrace a mindset of growth. Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the creative process and that persistence is what drives improvement.
2. Adaptability: Being able to adjust to new environments, challenges, and opportunities was essential for me, especially with my moves between different countries and cities. For artists, it’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to learn new techniques, styles, or ways of working, whether that means experimenting with new mediums or learning how to market your work. Start by regularly stepping out of your comfort zone—whether that’s taking on different projects or learning something entirely new.
3. Mastery of Fundamentals: A strong grounding in the basics, whether it’s in painting, design, or even architecture, gave me the foundation to expand my creativity. For those just beginning, focusing on the fundamentals of your craft—whether that’s composition, color theory, or perspective—allows for greater freedom to innovate later on. Take the time to study the works of artists you admire and learn the foundational techniques that made them successful.
For those early in their journey, remember that consistency and continuous learning are key. Embrace every opportunity to improve, and always stay curious.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
One of the most impactful things my parents did for me was supporting both my creativity and my early interest in business. I often recall a memorable story from when I was around 10-12 years old. We had an abundance of zucchini growing in our garden, and a new store had just opened a few streets away. My sister and I decided to seize the opportunity to sell our zucchini and make some money.
Our parents encouraged us wholeheartedly and gave us the freedom to pursue this idea. We waited a week, excitedly collecting enough zucchini to fill a box, and then proudly took them to the store. The thrill of receiving a little cash for our hard work was exhilarating! However, the next day when we returned to spend our earnings on ice cream, the store owner returned our zucchini, stating they didn’t look appealing enough. We were crushed, but this experience didn’t diminish our confidence.
In fact, it taught us an important lesson: the appearance of a product is crucial in business. Although the moment was disappointing, it ultimately made us braver and more determined to succeed in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elzaressam.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elzaraelza?igsh=MW43emM0cHA2MGJsag==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006244723242&mibextid=JRoKGi
Image Credits
1. “Pink Roses in the Interior” – My painting showcased in a beautiful interior setting.
2. Studio Session with Children – A moment capturing young artists exploring their creativity.
3. Creative Exploration – Children engaging joyfully with art in my studio.
4. Plein Air Painting – A look at my process while painting lavender outdoors.
5. “Crimean Girl” – A contemporary work now held in a private collection.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
