Irina Talalay

Year of birth: 1997.
Your education:
Secondary (teacher, artist),
Higher education, Bachelor’s degree (Cultural Studies),
Higher education, Master’s degree (Special Education Teacher).
Describe your art in three words: whimsical, decorative, symbolic.
Your discipline: proficient in all types of painting, with a focus on portraits and decorative painting.
Instagram

How did your journey as an artist begin, and what inspired you to create art in 2008?

I have always loved to draw. In early childhood, I drew jewelry and little people with long arms and legs, and a bit later, I started drawing various animals. My parents supported my passion and enrolled me in an art school. I enjoyed the classes a lot, as we not only drew but also molded, sewed, and made appliqués. Later, I became fascinated with folk crafts. This greatly helped me learn to mix and see shades, as there are strict color and compositional canons in folk painting.

After graduating from school, I entered a college to study art. At the same time, I attended various courses taught by artists. Even now, I am constantly learning new techniques and improving my skills.

During school, I fell in love with the works of Salvador Dalí. His works inspired me to create pieces where reality mixes with fantasy.

Irina Talalay | Ignite | 2023

Could you share your philosophy of teaching art? What is the most valuable aspect for you in working with students?

I believe that every person on earth knows how to draw. In teaching, I moved away from standard programs to my own, structuring lessons so that students leave their first class with a finished, high-quality painting. I periodically adjust to the requests of the students, as they make great progress, and we begin to explore many complex techniques.

The most valuable thing is feedback. I love to see the spark in students’ eyes, their joy from the results, and I am proud of their achievements: their first exhibitions and sales. It is always pleasant to hear people praise the students’ work and to know that, even just a little, you were part of their success.

Your works involve different materials, such as oil, acrylic, and pen. How do you choose which material to use for each piece?

It’s often based on my mood. I usually use a pen to capture ideas for new works. Sometimes these sketches look complete when done with a pen and remain as such. I paint with oil on commission. Acrylic brings my sketches and ideas to life.

Irina Talalay | Mirror of the Soul | 2024

Many of your works feature symbolic elements, such as the eye in your recent paintings. What deeper meaning do these symbols hold for you?

The eye indeed frequently appears in many of my works. As they say, the eyes are the mirror of the soul. With this symbol, I convey emotions—calm, fear, pain, strength, deep thought, openness, and trust—in different works.

Every person is subject to attention, whether a public figure or an ordinary one, like a teacher. So, sometimes, the eye in my works represents observation and surveillance; everyone is being watched, everyone knows.

How do you approach creating a new work? Do you plan the composition, or do you allow intuition to guide you?

I am inspired to create new work by rock music. When listening to a composition, images and ideas appear in my mind. I transfer all this onto paper, and it turns out to be quite strange and quirky. I like it. I enjoy the freedom of creativity, the ability to express my vision, emotions, and feelings. It’s all like music, but on paper.

Sometimes music makes me reflect on something, and that appears on the canvas. Sometimes it’s images inspired by the lyrics of a song, like in the work “Ignite” (inspired by the song of the same name).

I also find inspiration in the fact that everyone sees their own meaning in my works, sometimes so deep that I hadn’t even thought about it.

Irina Talalay | Bird | 2023

What role, in your opinion, does art play in contemporary society?

In my view, art is a powerful tool that can change perspectives and thinking, making people reflect and eliciting emotions.

It encompasses traditions and established canons, but at the same time, everyone can bring something of their own, be heard and understood. It is an unlimited form of self-expression.

What advice would you give to beginner artists just starting their journey?

Don’t give up on what you’ve started, believe in your abilities, try new things, and keep searching for yourself. Even the strangest and quirkiest works find their audience and inspire new creations.