Q & A With Emerging Artists
JENYA DATSKO
Meet Jenya Datsko
Jenya Datsko is a Russian-born painter based in Valencia (Spain). Datsko studied art and illustration at the Escuela Superior de Arte y Tecnología ESAT and the GAIA Centro de Estudios de Arte in Valencia. Her works captures moments of loneliness and melancholy that at the same time radiate a mysterious and fascinating beauty. Through a soft colour palette and the recurring presence of female figures in various spaces, Datsko invites the viewer to reflect on human nature and the complexity of emotions. Datsko perceives these women as symbols of strength and determination in their pursuit of establishing genuine connections. By being alone, or silent in the presence of others, they are liberated from external influence and can fully explore their own identity and purpose.
Q: How did you first get started in your career as an artist? Did anyone or anything in particular inspire you? Were there any challenges you faced?
A: I have been painting all my life, since I was a child. But my artist career started not long ago. I began with watercolor and digital illustrations during pandemic time and later I switched to large scale acrylic paintings. I was experimenting with different styles and materials in order to find my own style and artistic language.
Q: Where do you look for inspiration? Could you tell me a little more about your artistic practice?
A: I find inspiration everywhere: music, nature, early mornings, everyday routines, but mostly people and relationships between them, emotions and thoughts. In my works I explore the dissonance between feelings and experience. I tend to search for inspiration in the modern buzzing world we live with its people, interactions, feelings, doubts, etc. For me painting is like keeping a diary of my life. Beside the importance of storytelling in my paintings I also focus on textures and colors. The textures of my paintings are absorbing, adding depth and silent mystery to the subjects I depict.
Q: What advice would you have for an artist who is just beginning their career?
A: Start with what you love. Experiment with different styles and materials. Stay open to learning and feedback, but most importantly, preserve your uniqueness in each piece - therein lies your strength. Don’t try to chase art market trends, express yourself the way you feel it.
Q: In a similar manner, do you have any advice for young or first-time art collectors or buyers?
A: I would advise first-time art collectors to buy artworks which evoke emotions and resonate with their inner world. Buying a trending art can bring you joy during a short time, but truly connecting with the painting can be a great acquisition for your art collection and make you happy for a long time. Don’t be afraid to be unique in your choices and, of course, enjoy the process of art collecting.
Q: What aspects of the art industry do you hope to see change or grow in the coming years?
A: As in many areas of our lives we are facing fast consumerism, and the art market is not an exception. People sometimes access art from the standpoint of its “consumer value”, and artworks may become objects of consumption. It is crucial to preserve the value of art beyond its commercialization. At the same time, art can act as a counterbalance to consumer culture, prompting reflections on value, beauty, and meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Q: What have been some of the most rewarding experiences during your career as an artist?
A: The most rewarding experience for me is the feedback I receive from people who love what I create, who connect with my paintings. In this interaction of art and society lies the special power of my creative journey and motivates me to create.
Q: If you could describe the feeling you hope to evoke through your works, what would you describe it as?
A: A sense of self reflection, introspection, where the mind explores the depths of its inner world. After all, everyone sees something of their own in my paintings, based on their personal life experience. It is like navigating the ocean of your thoughts, feelings and memories.