Alla Golovcenco

Alla Golovcenco | Having tea with your demons | 2025

Your artworks often blend whimsical fantasy with natural motifs. What inspires this unique fusion?

I think, it is something that happens naturally, almost on an intuitive level. But, if I try to rationalize it, flora in a fantasy setting is an important tool to use as a background frame and world building. If you think about all your favourite books, like LoTR, you’ll probably envision the surroundings as much as the main characters. So, I think even small natural motifs can express an identity for the character (in clothing, accessories, armor, background objects etc.).

How does your background in architecture influence your painting style or creative process?

Architecture is the reason, there are almost no buildings in my drawings :), for now at least. It seems like, I gravitate outside a confinement of a concrete box, when creating art. But, the knowledge from architecture school in perspective, 3d modeling, space orientation aids a good understanding about the world around you, how it works, how does our eye perceive images, places, the science between light and shadow.

Alla Golovcenco | The portrait of the dragon | 2024

There’s a strong narrative quality in your illustrations — do you imagine stories behind each piece?

Yes, I do. Each character or still image has a backstory. The creatures’ facial expressions, their costume, hair, body language represent a history hidden from the world. Having this little “Easter eggs” around, each viewer can imagine their own narrative about them. Sometimes, I do write small descriptions in my sketchbook, while other times it is just kept in my head.

What emotions or thoughts do you hope to evoke in the viewer?

One of my goals is to immerse the viewer into the story of the painting and let them forget about their everyday struggles and worries. So, they can get a sense of comfort and magic. Life can be quite challenging. So, if you can take a breath, look at your environment, view a painting and feel a sense of serenity within, a sense of ease and a remainder to still believe in magic. Because, magic does not come from a wizard, but from a small act of kindness.

Alla Golovcenco | Merfolk | 2023

Nature seems to be a recurring element in your work. What role does it play in your artistic vision?

Nature is a source of inspiration and healing, which a lot of people can relate. Our flora and fauna are such unique beings, filled with magic. Just learning about different critters, plants, studying how the nature works and communicates, is enough to enrich our artistic vision, even some creatures sound like, there are straight from a Tolkien book. I draw inspiration from researching and then trying to add my twist to it. If I find an interesting life form, the next step is to discover how it can become even more special, what new qualities can be added or subtracted.

You mention a desire to incorporate social issues into your art. Are there specific themes you’re drawn to explore?

Yes, this is a goal of mine. Incorporating social issues into art is quite important. Art in the end, reflects our reality. Pieces of artistic expression, that speak for animals rights, women’s rights, discrimination against minorities and just learning to accept each other. We are all human, even thought we come in different fonts. But for me, there needs to be a balance between still making comforting art, while also engaging in complicated themes. And I am yet to figure it our. But it’s a work in process :).

Alla Golovcenco | After death | 2023

How do you balance your full-time job in architecture with your passion for painting?

I don’t. 🙂 Just kidding. I just attempt to organize my time after the day job and try to have realistic goals. When you are short on time, small and simple projects are quite helpful, just to keep the ball rolling. To be honest, I am still seeking to figure out my schedule. 🙂