Anastasia
Kustova

NOT AN ARTIST YET, or HOW EVERYTHING STARTED

Drawing never was my goal, let alone the center of my universe. It just was something I was good at, that’s all… When I was at school, I had to choose between drawing and music, and I chose music and I played in an orchestra for many years. When, while in high school, I decided to go to the art school, I turned out that I couldn’t draw a plastic apple, let alone in a dark room and using the method I wasn’t used to… This is where my professional art education ended after lasting for three days only.

When I was at university, I had to study around the clock as I was getting two degrees at the same time, but it was that period when I realized that I needed to develop my fine motor skills, so I took up ceramic floristry, polymer clay sculpting and jewelry.

FREE ARTIST, or CREATIVITY VIA IMMERSION

Later, I started working at different jobs, which were different, interesting, even well-paid. But, while working for 10-12 hours a day, I was looking at a pastels sketch at the wall of my office, I realized that I didn’t see the result of my efforts. That’s when my wish to strike out on my own emerged, and in January 2015, I became a free artist. And six months later, I discovered watercolors.

I’ll say, with all seriousness, to everyone who thinks that turning one’s life upside down is an easy task - you’re wrong. There were days when all my efforts didn’t yield any result and I was struggling to make my ends meet. I worked around the clock - I just couldn’t give up when I made my decision! I often hear an opinion that it’s easy ‘to look for the path’ when you’re young, you have financial support, and all that stuff. I didn’t experience that, it was no fairytale. I had to work a lot - on myself, on my professional growth and, step by step, things started to even out.

TRUE ARTIST, or LOOKING FOR THE PLACE IN ART

First, I took up any commissions and opportunities, I drew everything I could get my hands on. As the time went by, I became more focused on my area, I realized that food illustration and logos are not my cup of tea; my themes and color palettes became narrower, etc. When I said no to some of my interests (and money, too) I dedicated my creative energy to the right direction - the progress happened immediately!

I always learnt something new in watercolors. I started out watching free YouTube lessons, later I started watching masterclasses by successful artists. I didn’t get to attend offline masterclasses as I didn’t live in Moscow back then, but I was very impressed by the online lessons by Ilya Ibryaev and Sergey Kurbatov. Thanks to them, I learnt about wet techniques. I had to go through a bunch of books to study perspective, tone, shapes, lighting and improve my drawing skills - on my own.

Also, what I would do is I would save reproductions and photos of the works by the artists I liked, and when I had some time, I was trying to understand how every painting was created. What was the first thing? What went after that? Why? A painting is created in the head and that’s what I tried to train in the first place. And, of course, I drew daily.

I have always both liked and disliked my works, even now. The reason why is drawing is a life-long journey. I’ve been actively drawing for 15 years now, I’ve been with watercolors for 4 years. I started using alla prima approach 1 year in of my watercolor journey. I understood the medium and started working with it according to my personality type. Slow work is not for me, at all. Quick process, plein airs, large formats are everything for me, that’s when I can feel that I pour myself into my art. It’s important to be true to yourself, not trying to break yourself intentionally - be it in relation to the style, vision or technique - when it’s not comfortable. You can always try something new to enrich your art, but if a slower-paced work is a good fit for your personality - grow in that direction.

FAMOUS ARTIST, or HONORS FIND THEIR HERO :)

Today, Anastasia is a famous artist - you see her works in private collections, at exhibitions and festivals. She paints and teaches, organizing plein air sessions and masterclasses. What’s her secret? Maybe, if you’re in love with what you’re doing, being ready to work hard in order to improve and happily share your discoveries with others - the success will definitely come!