Futuristic Homotopy, oil on canvas. Artist Nina Valetova

Many years ago, my friend artist has given me a book , and since then I know about the Mobius strip, homotopy and the artist Escher. After many years, I subconsciously made a sketch and suddenly realized that I created something like a homotopy topology.
In topology, two continuous functions from one topological space to another are called homotopic if one can be "continuously deformed" into the other, such a deformation being called a homotopy between the two functions.
 I  do not affirm that I created something that accurately represents this theory. The person in the painting is a female robot, since the creation of robots also closely correlates with science. Thus, the topic of science is the content of my picture. By the way, my son is a scientist, physicist and mathematician.

Heroine' s Journey of Nina Tokhtaman Valetova

https://theheroinejourney2016.wordpress.com/2017/11/27/the-heroines-journey-of-nina-tokhtaman-valetova/

Interview with Nina Tokhtaman Valetova by Peter Kuster

https://theheroinejourney2016.wordpress.com/2017/11/27/the-heroines-journey-of-nina-tokhtaman-valetova/

   

What is the best thing that I love about my work?

      The best thing about my work is that I can do something independent of the others, and create something special, different from what already exists. The work process is creative and allows imagination, and fantasy to spread their wings and fly, leaving behind routine, and problems of daily life. Also, art is an opportunity for self-expression, which is very important.

 

What is my idea of perfect happiness? 

     My idea of great happiness is bringing dreams to life. Success and achievements in the profession, family well-being, love, and the opportunity to have the kind of life that you would like to have, are components of great happiness.

What is my greatest fear?  

     I have many fears. It is difficult for me to list all of them. On the one hand, I can take risks and do very bold deeds, but there exists, in my inner world, a little child with great fears. My fears are different and depend on various aspects of life and activity. In my childhood, after the death of my mother, when I was 8 years old, I felt a strong fear of losing my father. Now, I'm worried about my children.

  I am afraid of cruel and rude people and their interference in my life.  I am afraid that I will not have time to fully be realized as an artist, and bring my creative ideas to life.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?  

     It happened several times in my life, when my hesitation, and fear, of going beyond the boundaries of my points of view and stereotypes, impacted me,  in that I could not to change my life cardinally. I'm too conservative to change the way of my life.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

     Time separates the wheat from the chaff, and, as a result, some famous, successful people are forgotten. On the contrary, some artists who were not very famous to contemporaries, in their time, are becoming famous. Therefore, It is very difficult to choose living artists, whom I admire. Until recently, I was impressed by the architecture of Zaha Hadid. Unfortunately, she left our world a few years ago. I like some art works by Yayoi Kusama.

What is my greatest extravagance?  

     I am a very inconspicuous person and in no way different from many people. My lifestyle, my clothes, my habits are the same as with many people around. Probably it's hard to say that I'm an artistic person in my way of life, but my inner world has its own characteristics. Despite the circumstances, that have prevented me from realizing my dreams as an artist, I remained faithful to art. People who did not understand art considered this extravagant and far from reality.

On what occasion would I lie?  

     I am quite an honest person and do not like to lie, but there are circumstances when bold, complete honesty is unnecessary, and may be damaging, or counter-productive.  I am convinced that you should not humiliate and tell a child that he did not do a good job, or did something wrong. Teaching art, especially to children, is in this category on the side of positive reinforcement, rather than discouragement.  Also, I cannot write, on Facebook,  a bad comment on the work of other artists, when they ask me to write my opinion, even if I do not like their artworks. Bad reviews do not encourage, and make people doubt their abilities.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?  

     I do not like to start working with a new painting. On the canvas, at first, the spots and lines are chaotic, random. Also, some details are not yet clear. Some chaos is, not only on the canvas, but also in the artist's mind . Sometimes you have to change a lot in the creative process

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? 

      I have been happiest, during  3 to 4 years in the Moscow region,  and, also,  Norfolk Virginia, when I could completely paint and not think about my survival. In New York,  I have had to take other work, to survive... I have been happy when I successfully accomplished my ideas in paintings, especially when I was painting in a new style for me.

If I could, what  would I change about myself ?

     I would like to change my age and condition of health, to choose the way of living, experiencing life.  I know many people want the same thing. Some of this is wishing for the impossible.   Some of this is aspiring towards possible change.

What is my greatest achievement in work? 

     My paintings were acquired by collectors and art lovers. My art has attracted the attention of art magazines. My paintings, and interviews with me, have been published in many art magazines. Also, an international art critic, Alberto Moioli, wrote an article where he gave a review, and made an analysis of my paintings.

Where would I most like to live? 

     I would like to live very close to a big city with many art galleries, collectors, and at the same time in a big house with a studio surrounded by a garden close to nature.

What is my most treasured possession?

     The most treasured possession for me is life. If there is no longer my life, nothing will matter. Life for me is attractive for diversity and the opportunity to feel and create something new, which does not exist in reality. Imagination and fantasy are the treasures that nature has given to people.

What is my most marked characteristic?

     I am a perfectionist. I always wanted everything to be fine. I want to make a better painting, have a better family, and achieve my goals. My life was hard, and many of my dreams were broken. I was often full of disappointments. Still, I am a perfectionist, and, this, my most marked characteristic, makes me do my paintings, calls me, inspires me, drives me, despite the obstacles.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?  

     I live not so long in New York and I do not yet have any favorite places that inspire me. For me, those places are pleasant where I feel good. In New York, my life was subjected to nightmarish tests. I had a lot of stress.  Many people around were so cruel that I often found myself on the brink of survival. Therefore, I really appreciate those places where I have security and peace.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

     When I lived in Dallas, and Norfolk, sometimes I visited with friends, or my son, at  restaurants, and tested different national food. In New York, I almost never go anywhere to eat and drink. I prefer to cook my own food at home. Of course, I would love to go with a good friend of mine to a restaurant.

What books influenced my life and how?

     Reading books plays a big role in the education of the artist. The level of intelligence and education are manifested and influence one way or another on creativity. I read books on philosophy, psychology, religion and books of famous writers. All of them influenced the formation of my worldview and my views on many aspects of life.

Who are my favorite writers?

     Umberto Eco, Jorge Luis Borges, Lev Gumilyov, Laozi, Ray Bradbury, Anton Checkov

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

      E lucevan le stelle - Tosca.  Cavaradossi aria is full of despair and desire to live. It is a farewell to life.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? 

     War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Pierre Bezukhov. 

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

     My hero in real life is my father. He was a good father, and a decent man. I remember from my childhood that in Russia sometimes a snow covered the roads so much that drivers could not drive during such a blizzard. Winters in Russia are very cold. Many of them froze and died, waiting until the snow would be removed. Our house was close to the highway.  Always, my father was inviting everyone to the house during a blizzard. Thus, he saved many people whom he had never met before.  After the war with Germany, many women were lonely or lived with children without husbands. My father helped many women to keep houses and to save children.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? 

     The Matrix

What role plays art in my life and work?

     My life and art intersected in my childhood from the age of 12.  I cannot imagine my life without art. Art is my life. My life is an art. One proceeds into another. This year I got an injury of my right shoulder and, at present,  I cannot  paint. It cut the ground 

 from under me. An important and meaningful occupation in my life is temporarily unavailable. Disgusting mood...

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?  

     My eldest son did a lot for me in the past. He created a website for me, paid for the costs of exhibitions, organized exhibitions, and made a promotion. Now, he is busy with his projects, and plans, and no longer pays attention to my art. I miss this positive, relationship interaction. I do not have people around me who could be my sponsors.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017?  

     I would like to work with art dealers, art agents.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2017?

     Sponsors, art collectors.

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on?  

     I can only do small art works on paper because of the injured rotator cuff.  Also, I am teaching art to children and adults. Later after recovering I wil do my paintings

Where can you see me or my work in 2017?

     On the internet

What do the words "Passion Never Retires" mean to me? 

     I have not yet passed my creative path to the end. I see a star ahead, which shines for me. I will go to this star, while I can. 

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

     No doubt, Peter knows without my advice.

Art and Life: Unexplored Areas of Art History

Art and Life: Unexplored Areas of Art History: Contemporary art at all times is unexplored. This is repeated constantly from century to century. We know many examp...

Myths about art and artists

Modern myths about art and artists
Myths and legends about visual artists and art have been around since ancient times. To an outsider, art was always enveloped in a halo of mystery. Just think of the legend about the painters of Ancient Greece Parrhasius and Zeuxis:
“Once, in a contest with Parrhasius in realism, Zeuxis painted some grapes so believably that flocks of birds flew down to eat them. Parrhasius, on the other hand, painted a curtain that appeared to be covering his painting, misleading Zeuxis who tried to draw it aside. According to the legend, Zeuxis said: “I misled birds, but Parrhasius misled Zeuxis.”.”
Nevertheless, until the 19th century, an artist’s role was limited to producing commissioned artwork. Orders were made by religious and state organizations, kings, the wealthy, and others.
The concept of fine art originated in the 19th century, when artists began to perceive themselves as independent creative individuals who created works of art expressing their ideas and emotions. Artists presented to the world their views of art and the world itself, which often disaccorded with conventional views. One example are the impressionists, who were stoned by audiences for creating paintings that violated the art traditions of the time. Artists went off on their own and often had no support or sponsorship. Many of them really struggled to survive. The process of creating paintings often entails deprivation, lack of understanding, and some painters succumbed to a tragic ending of their life. We all know of the fate of Van Gogh who did not sell  paintings in his entire life and was able to paint only because of his brother’s support. Starting in this period, myths and legends about art and artists began to emerge in great numbers and grew exponentially in the 20th century.
It is hard to list all the myths that are widespread among those observing the life of artists from afar. Here are just a few of them:
1)  The poor artist myth.
In reality, many Renaissance painters received large financial compensations from kings and churches for their orders. In the 20th century, Picasso and Salvador Dali did not starve either. The fate of artists differed, and much depended on the environment and each particular situation. Contemporary researchers have calculated how much money Van Gough received from his brother, concluding that based on his income, Van Gough was middle-class, although Irving Stone’s book about Van Gough creates the impression of the artist’s deprivation and poverty.
2) To create good art, an artist must suffer.
Suffering does not guarantee the creation of masterpieces. Suffering is a block for the artist that distracts him or her from concepts and ideas. Suffering is a hindrance, rather than a facilitator to an artist’s focus on his or her work.
3) Many artists are alcoholics, drug addicts, and frivolous people who have no traditional family values.
If we think of Modigliani, an alcoholic and a miserable loner, this is true. However, it does not mean that all artists were and are this way. Human beings are just designed to remember events and facts that are out of the ordinary.
4) Most artists, especial geniuses, suffer from mental illness.
It is easy to figure out who was the first to carry this tune:  thanks to the theory of Cesare Lombroso this idea became well-established in our society.
5) Anyone can be an artist and paint like some of the painters. Waving brushes around is easy.
Hmm… There is not much to say . Pick up a brush and wave it around as much as you want. Artists and experts will see what you came up with.
6) An artist can be recognized only after his or her death. Paintings will also be sold and have a high price tag only after death. So in the meantime, you – the artist, should suffer and carry the heavy cross you decided to bear.
7) Artists are lazy. It is easy to paint, but they want good money for it… Well, excuse me...
8) Traditional art is dying out because new technologies are emerging.
New technologies that enable us to create non-traditional art are just a tool. The nature of art, with its ideas and goals, remains traditional. There are still many who paint with a brush and paint, just as artists did centuries ago. Is it not a fascinating task to create something with one’s own hands?
These are just a few of the myths whose influence I have experienced personally. A few years ago, someone told me that if I want to become a real artist, I need to become a drug addict, alcoholic, prostitute, homeless.  Ugh...