We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lana Yanovska a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lana, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I guess my confidence and self-esteem as an artist come from constant exchange and feedback from other artists and from my community. Back during my university days, I learned to give meaningful feedback – and that practice has been invaluable. Not only does it help others in their work, it also deepens my understanding of my own artistic practice. Mutual feedback and artistic exchange with others help me to refine my expression and my own visual voice – and through that, to find my confidence.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Ukrainian photographer and a printmaker based in Austria.
During my art studies in Germany, I was more focused on photography and painting and had little room to explore printmaking. Though in the first year of the pandemic, circumstances forced me to scale back my photography work and suddenly gave me time and space to delve into the world of printmaking.
My main medium is relief printing with the diverse range of materials it offers. I primarily carve on classical linoleum, soft carve blocks, and wood; and print on paper, textile, and sometimes even directly on wood.
Working with these materials is challenging at every step, from the initial design and carving process to the inking and transferring onto the chosen surface. The unpredictable nature of relief printing keeps me on my toes, allowing for unexpected surprises and wonderful discoveries along the way.
As a photographer, my artistic perspective has been shaped by the way I see the world through the lens of a camera, so my own photography serves as a foundation for my printmaking practice.
Printmaking also proved to be a great way to produce art that is accessible and affordable, with the means to replicate my artwork in multiples, making it more attainable for a wider audience. This accessibility opens up opportunities for art enthusiasts to own and appreciate my creations without sacrificing quality or breaking the bank – and makes art more inclusive.
I also place great importance on incorporating eco-conscious practices into my art-making journey, preferring locally sourced materials when possible and always using recycled or biodegradable packaging when shipping my art.
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?
Being part of a community has always been very helpful in my artistic journey, I appreciate the connection with like-minded artists and creators who elevate and support each other. One of the next key elements is consistency. “Keep showing up for your art” – is one of my favourite mantras. If I don’t have the time for artistic practice itself – I read about art, visit exhibitions, stay inspired and motivated.
In addition, I make it a priority to be responsive and receptive to the feedback I receive. Listening to other artists and to my customers’ insights allows me to continually improve and tailor my art to better resonate with the audience.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel stuck or overwhelmed, changing the medium helps. Instead of lino, I go to photography, or I just leave my artistic practice behind for a while and read a book or watch a movie. If nothing helps at all, I go for a run or take a train to the nearest city. Doing something completely unrelated often helps take my mind into a different direction and find inspiration in the most unexpected places.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yanovska.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanas_making
Image Credits
Lana Yanovska
