ABOUT ME
My name is Elena Manova.
I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria where I lived until I turned 18. Then, I moved to Madrid, Spain– a city I’ve grown to call home after 18 amazing years living there. Then I relocated to Switzerland and shortly afterwards to Australia where I am currently based.
I consider myself a passionate traveler and a naïve dreamer, deeply interested in understanding people’s stories and emotions. This interest probably sparked my love for painting…
I started painting as a child and resumed it when I was 24, continuing till today. Despite being an autodidact painter with no formal education or title in the field, painting is the activity that gives me the most confidence in myself!
MY ARTISTIC STYLE
Painting is my ultimate passion—it’s the medium through which I express my feelings and observations of the people and the world around me. Each stroke on the canvas represents a part of me and it is an encapsulation of my emotions at that precise moment. My artistic style is rooted in abstract expressionism, a movement that resonates with my soul. One artist who profoundly influences me is Jackson Pollock, renowned for his dynamic, emotion-filled works within this genre.
MY TECHNIQUE
I use acrylic paints and am fascinated by the bright color palette, which is immediately evident when you view my artwork. When I create, I prefer to work on wide canvases, spread out on the floor. This unconventional approach allows me to immerse myself fully in the process. I become one with the painting, moving around it, working from all angles. My tools include big and small brushes, and sometimes even my own hands. The canvas becomes a stage where intense, vivid colors collide, leaving behind sparkles and shadows. If you look closely, you might discover hidden forms and figures.
What I find most fascinating about painting is the subjectivity it invites. Each canvas can be perceived from a multitude of perspectives, its interpretation is heavily dependent on the viewer’s unique lens. When you engage with my art, my ultimate aspiration is not just for you to see, but to feel, imagine, and dream…