Natalia Mustaeva

You have a professional background in ceramics and design. How do these disciplines influence your painting practice now?

Yes, I have professional experience in ceramics—specifically the Gzhel folk craft—as well as in design. It’s difficult to pinpoint a direct influence of this background on my painting, but it has undoubtedly been invaluable. In ceramics I followed tradition; in design I considered styles and trends. Now, in painting, I follow my own recognizable personal style, as any artist does. There may not be a direct influence, but the experience and knowledge are significant.

Natalia Mustaeva | At The Plein Air | 2025

Could you describe your creative process — from the first impulse to the finished piece?

An impulse can arise from the most unexpected sources: the curve of a body, the tilt of a head, a color, or a viewpoint. It’s hard to predict. When it comes to serious works—like a portrait—I usually already have a sense of which colors I’ll use, what I want to express, and what state I aim to convey: sadness or melancholy. Sometimes that state can change during the process, but overall the composition is already clear. A mood—or empathy for a particular person—can also become the impulse.

Lately, I prefer working in smaller formats, creating graphic compositions. On a small sheet of paper, it’s much harder to convey the full depth of emotion and energy. I usually work on heavy watercolor paper and work quickly, trying to immediately translate my vision and emotions onto the page. My palette includes black gouache, a fineliner, and watercolor. The impulse for a piece can come from anything: even a crow seen on a walk or a horse painted en plein air can become the basis for finished graphic scenes.

Natalia Mustaeva | At The Plein Air | 2025

You often work with acrylics and mixed media. What attracts you to these materials?

Given my temperament and emotional state, acrylic is exactly what suits me. When I’m at the easel, I can repeatedly layer the paint to achieve the precise shade I want. Acrylic has incredible coverage, which really helps my process. In my graphic pieces and sketches, I always use mixed media. This allows for interesting results: I start with a blot—say, black gouache—and add elements with watercolor to create color accents. This approach strongly defines my style, and my work is instantly recognizable. It’s my unique artistic signature.

Natalia Mustaeva | Bravo | 2025

Do you prefer to plan a composition in advance or to let intuition lead the process?

Usually, I begin without a preplanned composition. Some pieces call for meticulous detailing. I perceive graphic subjects, let them pass through me, and then carry them onto paper. It won’t be an exact reproduction of nature or an object—it will always be a portrait or a scene as seen by my eyes and heart. It’s my emotion. I believe this is the value of my sketches and graphic pieces: their ephemerality, the life that will never repeat. Everything happens in the moment.

Natalia Mustaeva | Detached | 2022

Many of your works seem to capture fleeting emotional states. What inspires these moments?

Yes, that’s a very accurate description of my work—the desire to capture a fleeting state. It feels much like autumn. Autumn is my favorite season: not just a time of year, but a state of mind. It carries a faint, bittersweet scent of withering—not frightening, but mesmerizing—reminding us of life’s eternal cycle. In that tender note of farewell lies the deep philosophy of autumn. It doesn’t invite sadness; it teaches us to cherish impermanence.

Natalia Mustaeva | Posing | 2024

Do you view your art as a form of personal reflection or as communication with the viewer?

My art is, above all, a personal monologue and an interaction with the viewer. Each of my works—whether a graphic narrative or a sketch—carries a piece of my soul, my emotions, and my inspiration, expressed through color, form, and meaning. I engage in a wordless dialogue with the viewer—sincerely and candidly.

Natalia Mustaeva | The Experience Of Lived Years | 2017

You once said that art is a way to understand the world. Has your perception of the world changed through painting?

Art is a unique way of perceiving reality through masterpieces that already exist. This is its deepest essence. To pursue it, one can turn to various sources: visit museums around the world, when possible, and study books and encyclopedias. I use these resources daily, which allows me to transform from within while preserving my individuality and signature style.