ART: INTERVIEW WITH UKRAINIAN ARTIST JANET PULCHO

THE ARTIST

Janet Pulcho is an Ukrainian watercolor artist well-known for her huge paintings. The main theme of her art is floral. Graduated from the Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture on the faculty of Fine Arts with a master’s degree, she is a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine.

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Janet is currently in Florence, where she is giving watercolor private lessons + online masterclasses available here: http://janetpulcho.com/masterclasses .

Janet Pulcho is an active part in exhibitions and her works in the private collections in the USA, England, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Australia, Philipines, Portugal, India, Russia, Ukraine + more.

THE INTERVIEW

How did you find fine art and how old were you?

My art education started when I was 16 years and I immediately felt like I was going into the right direction. It was a wonderful experience for me to study in the famous art school K.Kostandi in Odesa, Ukraine.

Which decades of art influenced you as a child and why? Name your favorite painters who inspires you constantly.

I’m a big fan of studying the history of fine arts in general and I can not say that there is only one artist who influenced me the most. During the whole education in academy I was inspired by Sandro Botticelli, Alfhons Muha, Redyte. Because of the war in Ukraine I had to move to Italy where I discovered a lot of other interesting artists especially Jan Van Huysum. Jan van Huysum was the last of the distinguished still life painters who was working in the Northern Netherlands in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Although he specialized in flower still lifes, van Huysum also painted a few landscapes.

What makes your paintings so unique?

I’m one of the few artists how paints large watercolors. Nowadays it’s so unique and rare.

What particular project you have created resonates with you the most and why?

Many of my followers call me “the Peonies Queen “ but I resonate myself with red Poppies.

They are more abstract and vibrant as well.

How important is education in art?

I guess I’m a supporter of classic art education because for artists it is incredibly important to know all of the ways and possibilities to express yourself. Now I already have a master degree in Fine Arts and I’m thinking to continue my education in the future.

We found out you have masterclass courses for those who want to make the first steps in watercolors? Where we can find your courses and who can apply for them?

Yes, I have four watercolor lessons about botanical illustration, which are suitable for people who want to understand watercolor and who is willing to fall in love with watercolors as I already did. http://janetpulcho.com/

This curse you can purchase on my official website and enjoy it.

What are your favorite watercolors and paper brands you use mostly?

It’s my favorite question about my material preferences. People usually ask me in my Instagram about it. I‘m Tintoretto brand ambassador and I can recommend these brushes. My favorite series is 1407. I prefer 100% cotton paper Hahnemule and Fabriano but you can find your favorite brand in your country. I paint with Schmincke watercolors but in future I will be glad to discover more Italian brands.

Watercolors are magic, but we find the process behind your painting a very complex one, how do you approach the creative process of a painting?

Watercolor is definitely complex and requires a lot of experience and technique knowledge.

For me it isn’t so difficult because I work for more than 8 years with watercolor.

Name few exhibitions who really changed your life and why were so important for you.

For me it is important to be participated in different exhibitions, but ones in couple of years I make my one exhibition. It’s very important to sum up all the work that I have done.

How difficult is for independent artists the business part?

In modern life an artist must also be its own manager. And it’s very important to work legally and to have comfortable website for collectors. Every year I sell more then 30 paintings. I think very important to stay unique.

Is there favorite museum or institution where you would like to exhibit your artworks?

I was mostly exhibited in my native city Odesa and in the capital of Ukraine – Kiev.

How the situation in Ukraine is affecting your career and how do you overcome this challenge? What we can do more to help the Union of Artists of Ukraine?

The war has effected my life completely in just one day. I had to shut down my atelier and to bring all my stuff home. In just one day everything have stopped including aircraft and post. So I packed a very little bag and went abroad. The most important thing is to make the maximum publicity of what is happening in Ukraine now. And to support Ukrainian art.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for independent artists nowadays?

The hardest thing is to find your customers and to coordinate your working process.

How would you change the system in order to improve the art industry and help more the independent artists?

Now art market is full of low quality art and a lot of great artist are left behind. It’s very sad. The main advise I can give is to be active in social networks in order to promote your own art.

When you’re not painting, what other hobbies make you tick?

When I’ m not painting I just like to walk around and to observe nature. I like to notice things that I have not seen before.

A letter to your FUTURE self. What would you write?

Now because of the war in Ukraine I’m not able to make any plans for the future. Unfortunately, I am not even sure if I will be able to go back home or I will have to live in foreign countries.