I'm Tanya Atanasova, I'm a contemporary realist artist born in Bulgaria, based in Antwerp, Belgium.
At the moment I’m working on a large series of portraits of people I know very well or people that have played an important role in my life throughout the years. This two-and-a-half-year project, in which I want to capture more than just the outer appearance of my models is called “You, my dear” and is all about friendship.
In my artistic practice, I use a lot of modern painting techniques to create the different “layers” of a personality, character, spirit, presence… I devote a lot of attention to the construction of my character’s personalities. Being interested in the psychology of my models, I want to become an intermediary between subject and viewer – building a connection that goes beyond painted realism. My gaze is directed deep into the story of every personage, I create his/her identity and unique complexity. Looking at the paintings should be like taking a glimpse into the character’s diary or reading a page out of his/her biography.
I have started this project two years ago doing everything on my own: traveling far to interview my models and get some pictures, working long days in my atelier, developing the website, buying materials, painting for months, crating, shipping, writing, publishing … But it still is a project of great importance to me - this is my way of saying “thank you” to these people for being next to me all these years. I’m telling their stories, I’m painting/celebrating the link with them!"
More info: atanasova.be | Facebook
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Michel with octopus, oil on Belgian linen, 120 x 110cm, 2016.
Smokey eyes / Joëlle, oil on Belgian linen, 120 x 110cm, 2017.
I love this one the most - Very 70's spirited. All of these are great because I can imagine pieces of the conversations I would have with these people and I can almost hear what their voices might sound like.
Philip dyeing his beard and eyebrows with henna, oil on Belgian linen, 110 x 110cm, 2018.
Lore, entangled, oil on Belgian linen, 130 x 120cm, 2017.
Jens, oil on Belgian linen, 140 x 110cm, 2018.
This looks more 'painterly' than the others, but the timeframe is the same.
Connected II, oil on Belgian linen, 70 x 100cm, 2017.
Welk, after careful observation of your friends I think I can conclude that Michael is definitely the sexy one.
+Lazar you're trying to find anything to insult +mild anxiety! at the disco. saying "brendon urine isnt good tbh" isn't a good way to win the argument lmao
such love is evident in the pictures here. painted by someone who really sees the subject in each, and treasures them xx
what's with people saying these are bad? these are so detailed, i thought they were pictures
Your talent for oil on canvas is amazing. Not sure I understand how the personalities are expressed but regardless, the paintings are extremely well done. Thank you for sharing them.
what's with people saying these are bad? these are so detailed, i thought they were pictures
Your talent for oil on canvas is amazing. Not sure I understand how the personalities are expressed but regardless, the paintings are extremely well done. Thank you for sharing them.