Collect Art Magazine
Natasha Burenina interview in the winter issue
“Within the canvas of my digital artistry, I weave narratives that delve into the tender nuances of love, the captivating charm of women’s beauty, and the enchanting allure of magical power. Utilizing AI and diverse digital tools, I breathe life into personas that evolve into standalone expressions of art. Each piece embodies a story—a testament to the intricate interplay of emotions and experiences. I aim to transport viewers into a world where love is palpable, beauty is mesmerizing, and the mystical essence of power unfolds. Through my art, personas emerge not as constrained identities but as vibrant manifestations of the intricate beauty of the common human spirit.”
Natasha Burenina, a digital artist originating from Kyiv, Ukraine, utilizes the potential of AI and an assorted range of digital tools in her artistic pursuits. Her creative journey is an ode to the heartfelt exploration of love, the captivating allure of women’s beauty, and the enchanting essence of magical power.
Natasha’s artistry transcends conventional norms, transforming personas into vibrant embodiments of artistic expression. Her art speaks a universal language, resonating with a global audience, and illuminating the multifaceted nature of human emotion and experience. Through her work, Natasha invites viewers to immerse themselves in the captivating stories woven within each creation, reflecting a common human heritage.
Swim, Fish, Swim – Digital Art, various sizes, 2023
Your digital art explores themes of love, women’s beauty, and magical power. What draws you to these specific themes, and how do you believe digital tools, including AI, enhance your ability to express these concepts?
Female beauty has always captivated me and became an inspiration for my creative endeavors reflected in my poetry, drawings, and photography. Seeing women as living pieces of art, emerging through the images they wear, adds emotional power to my artistic works. This unique aura of female beauty and strength, including what might be considered mystical, permeates through each of my artistic creations, becoming the main source of my inspiration. New digital tools are amazing and sometimes seem like magic to society. Their capabilities allow me to delve deeper into exploring themes of love, female beauty, and enchantment. Technologies like artificial intelligence open up new avenues for embodying these concepts, providing my creativity with endless possibilities for self-expression.
In your artistic journey, how did you discover the potential of AI and digital tools as mediums for your creative expression?
I ventured into AI art from collage art, using compilations of photographs, flowers, tree leaves, cutouts from magazines, and more. It doesn’t matter what tool you use to convey your thoughts. AI is just another tool, much like paints, photography, or elements of nature. Artificial intelligence provides an endless well of material for creativity. The pivotal moment that drew me into the realm of new technologies was the sleepless nights and restless days at the onset of war, filledtfilled with air raid sirens and sounds of explosions. I constantly held a phone or a laptop in my hands. To stay sane, I found solace in creating digital art incessantly. Within a few months, I produced over 400 pieces, possibly more than I had created in my entire life. That’s when I realized, more than ever, that art quite literally saves. I retreated into my works, distancing myself from the rest of the world, remaining mostly silent and creating almost all the time.
I often find myself grappling with the limitations of words when attempting to express the depths of my emotions. The artworks of the “Quantum Scriptography” collection resonate with me on a profound level, echoing the sentiments that have filled my heart for more than a year. These enigmatic faces emerging from the intricate letterforms mirror my own journey—sometimes concealed, sometimes seeking to break free.
They encapsulate the essence of my experiences, where the art itself has played a pivotal role in preserving my sanity and providing a refuge for my thoughts. In these captivating pieces, I see myself, hidden within the art, yet yearning to be seen. They serve as a powerful reminder that art has the incredible capacity to reflect our innermost struggles and triumphs, offering solace and understanding when words fall short.
Your artworks transcend conventional norms and transform personas into vibrant expressions of artistic exploration. How do you approach the process of creating a digital persona, and what elements do you prioritize to convey the richness of human emotion and experience?
I begin with a feeling or an image that comes to mind. The priority lies in imbuing this character with layers of my emotions, my energy, and details that resonate with my essence. If it makes my knees literally tremble – that’s when I know it’s a piece, I’ll keep 🙂
Your art speaks a universal language, resonating with a global audience. How do you ensure that your creations, rooted in personal exploration, connect with diverse viewers worldwide?
I’m not striving to elicit a response from a global audience, but I communicate through my creations in a language that resonates. Perhaps it’s because when words fail, universal archetypal symbols resonate more deeply than in the conscious mind. Art is humanity’s most precious heritage, preserving the imprints of every creator’s soul. If you pause for just a moment, engaging with art and diverting from thoughts of credit and purchases to dinner, you find yourself in a realm where neither humans nor time hold dominion, transcending even personal identity.
Each of your pieces embodies a story, reflecting the intricate interplay of emotions and experiences. Can you delve into your narrative process? How do you conceptualize and develop the stories within your art, and what role do digital tools play in shaping these narratives?
I work with what comes from the world around me. Images can come to me while reading a book, listening to music, having conversations, or in any everyday moment. It’s like assembling pieces of energy puzzles that suddenly come together, inspiring creativity. Various digital tools bring this together into a unified whole.
Daydream in Red Digital Art Various sizes, 2023
“Daydream in Red”- these collage portraits of women in abstract red, white, and black tones immerse you into the world of their inner dreams and fantasies, creating a captivating atmosphere of mystery and inspiration.
How do you convey the mystical and magical elements within your digital art, and what significance do these themes hold for you personally?
I have what psychologists call magical thinking. I’ve practiced various energy techniques, runes, Tarot cards, my whole life. Exploring what’s considered the unknown is a significant part of my life and naturally reflects in my art. Mystical and magical elements in my digital art are conveyed through symbolism, ethereal imagery, and the infusion of esoteric themes. These themes hold a deeply personal significance for me, serving as a reflection of my ongoing exploration of the mystical and the unexplained.
How has your background or origin influenced your artistic vision?
I think that our unique and diverse culture, with its abundance of emotions and energy, undoubtedly influenced who I’ve become. I was born in Zaporizhzhia, a city in southern Ukraine. The island of Khortytsia, one of Ukraine’s ancient cultural and energetic centers, holds a piece of my heart. With the onset of the war and my profound psychological crisis, initially, I chose silence and detachment from everything. Later, my artistic focus deliberately shifted towards love and beauty in all their manifestations. About the values I consider true, saved me and my psyche, and can help others.
Through your art, you invite viewers into a world where love is palpable and beauty is mesmerizing. What emotions or responses do you hope your audience experiences when engaging with your artwork?
I hope that my viewers can feel themselves. Alive, trembling, sensitive. Sometimes just pausing and feeling something at all is already an achievement.
As a digital artist, how do you navigate the balance between the capabilities of AI and the personal touch of artistic intuition? How much room do you leave for spontaneity and organic creativity in your digital process?
Each of my works is quite spontaneous, and sometimes I realize what I’m doing only in the process of creation. Perhaps all creators are a bit “unusual” in this sense 🙂 As I’ve mentioned before, artificial intelligence is merely a tool for creativity; I rely on my feelings beyond that. I prefer the organic use of tools to maintain authenticity and naturalness in my artwork.
Looking ahead, what themes or explorations are you currently passionate about, and do you envision any new directions or technologies influencing your future artistic endeavors?
I am working on an interactive art project that allows me not only to pause and feel oneself but also to interact with the art for a deeper immersion. Interaction with art holds immense potential.
Day Watch Digital Art Various sizes, 2023
“Day Watch” – these faces observe the unseen shades of emotions, standing guard over fleeting nuances of human experience. They track the whispers of joy, thousands of untold stories of light and shadow, and the delicate, infinite changes, almost beckoning us to pay attention to the magic, mystery, and beauty of moments.
