Henrieta Maneva

Artist Statement

“Art is selective re-creation of reality” Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead. The best way of expressing yourself, your inner I, your thoughts, your beliefs, your values, your worries, your feelings, your hopes, your fears, your love, your hate, your soul, your everything is with art. Any kind, any form of art, just find the one that best matches you.
For me, painting is an intimate act, particularly when you do it with love. Sometimes you may want to show the world your love, other time you fear your feelings and prefer to hide them deep inside. I adore painting, especially with watercolor and ink (sepia). In particular, I enjoy the process of my mini-re-creation, which for me is actually more a discovery, because watercolor is something relatively new to me. I admire the delicacy, the ethereality and the transparency of aquarelle. I look at a watercolor painting as a breathing, mystical creature that wants to be discovered.
As Picasso said, “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary”, and this quote 100% applies to me. I love to travel to different countries (mostly European), meet different people, and explore different cultures. I love the architecture, the atmosphere and the spirit of the old cities. “Architecture has recorded the great ideas of the human race. Not only every religious symbol, but every human has thought its page in that vast book.” said Victor Hugo. I love architecture, especially Gothic style. I admire the human genius, soul, and patience. I am in awe in front of immortal spirit of the Creator, the artist, the architect and all the people who build these stately, magnificent cathedrals and buildings in general, and how strong their belief and infinite their patience was. I admire the unprecedented work, pure genius, and talents of Michelangelo, John Ruskin, Gaudi and their unique style used to recreate something immortal, the people’s belief in God, in the Creator, in Nature.
“Architecture aims at Eternity” said Christopher Wren, and I try to capture this process with watercolors. I paint architecture, mostly cathedrals and churches with watercolors and ink (sepia). For reference, I use my own or my friends’ photos (they know my passion and keep me very busy). I wish I had enough time to paint buildings still-life in every country that I visit. For me, painting architecture in watercolor is the best way to combine my two passions and keep my diary alive.