Valeriia Popova

Where do you live: Miami, FL
Your education:
B.A. in Hospitality Management and Minor in International
Relations – Florida International University
B.A. in Sports Management – Dragomanov University (Kyiv, Ukraine)
Digital Marketing Certificate – University of Miami
Fintech Certificate – Harvard
UX/UI Design Certificate – GoIT, Ukraine
Describe your art in three words: Bold. Nostalgic. Ambitious.
Your discipline: Pop Realism

Website | Instagram

Your art blends the elegance of the ’50s and ’60s with the energy of modern life. How do you balance these two distinct influences in your work?

Honestly, I’ve always been in love with the elegance of the post-war Golden Age—late ’40s, ’50s, early ’60s. That era had this timeless charm. People dressed with intention, music had soul, and everything felt more glamorous. I still get goosebumps listening to Sinatra or Elvis—sometimes that’s where a whole painting starts, with just a song. Then I’ll see a scene from an old movie like Breakfast at Tiffany’s or even a vintage ad, and something clicks.
But I live in the now—and I want my art to speak to today’s confidence, ambition, and edge. So I add a modern twist. Maybe it’s a cartoon character, maybe it’s a luxury fashion item, or even a touch of irony. It’s about mixing the soul of the past with the hustle of today. Glamour, but with attitude.

Your project statements often focus on themes of ambition and playfulness. How do these elements manifest visually in your pieces?

I see art as more than just something pretty for a wall. I want it to inspire. I want someone to look at my work and feel like, “Damn—I want that lifestyle. I deserve that confidence.” Whether it’s a character sitting like a boss, or an old-school icon with a modern twist, the goal is to empower.
Playfulness, for me, is about not taking it all too seriously. Life is heavy enough. I like adding a wink—a little joke, a clever detail, something unexpected that makes people smile or say, “Wait, is that…?” Humor gives the work soul.

Valeriia Popova | Us Against The World | 2024

You mention that your background as a professional swimmer has influenced your art. Can you elaborate on how the discipline and focus from sports are reflected in your creative process?

Absolutely. I was a sprinter—I swam competitively for 13 years. That life teaches you how to show up, even when it’s hard. You train when you’re tired, when no one’s cheering, when you just want a break. That mindset never left me.
Now, when I’m in my studio, I bring that same drive. I can paint for 10 hours straight without even realizing the time. I’m obsessive about detail, about finishing strong. Swimming also taught me how to tune everything out and just focus—and that’s what painting is. It’s my lane now.

You describe your art as a bridge between past and present. How do you decide which elements from the past to include in your contemporary pieces?

It’s instinctual, honestly. I just love the vibe of the past. Sometimes I’ll hear an old song—like Ronnie Hilton’s The Wonder of You—and it just takes me away. Or I’ll see a photo or a frame from a black-and-white film, and something about it sparks something in me emotionally.
I’m not trying to recreate that era exactly—I want to take its essence and give it new life. I start thinking: how can I make this speak to someone today? How do I add a bit of humor, or something bold and unexpected, while still honoring that classic aesthetic? It’s like remixing a vintage song with a modern beat. You still feel the soul, but it hits differently now.

Valeriia Popova | Kingpin | 2024

With your wide range of interests from fashion to sports, how do these varied passions come together in your artistic practice?

They all show up on the canvas. Fashion gives my work texture and aspiration. I love luxury not just as a material thing—but as a symbol. It’s about taste, confidence, and identity.
Sports gave me discipline and competitiveness—I want to be better with each painting. And the adrenaline from things like boxing or shooting keeps me sharp. I’m not a passive person, and neither is my art. It’s bold. It moves. It has attitude.

What role does nostalgia play in your work, and how do you use it to connect with viewers emotionally?

Nostalgia plays a big part in what I create—it’s that emotional anchor that pulls people in. I think there’s something comforting about seeing a familiar style, an old-school mood, or even just a color palette that reminds you of another time. It brings people closer to the artwork before they even realize why.
For me, it’s not just about referencing the past—it’s about evoking a feeling. A lot of my inspiration comes from vintage music or old movies, and I try to bring that same atmosphere into my paintings. Once the viewer feels that connection, I like to gently shift the focus—add a modern twist, a touch of irony or ambition—so it becomes something new. Something that feels both personal and fresh.

How do you use luxury fashion and pop culture in your artwork to create a dialogue about modern life?

I think luxury fashion and pop culture are such a big part of how we express ourselves today—they say a lot about what we value, what we dream of, or even how we want to be seen. For me, it’s not about promoting brands or status, it’s more about capturing that energy—what success and identity look like in the modern world.
Sometimes I mix these elements with something humorous or nostalgic to create contrast or to invite people to reflect without it feeling too heavy. It’s a way to explore ambition, image, even vulnerability—but in a visual language people recognize and connect with.