Through palette knife techniques and layered color, Pavel Filin captures the atmosphere and emotion of a scene. His oil paintings span portraits, landscapes, and still life - each one rendered with sensitivity to light, movement, and mood. Combining traditional methods with experimental flair, Filin invites viewers into expressive spaces where color and composition tell stories beyond the frame.
Read a Q&A with Pavel Filin
Talk to us about your work featured here.
What are the main themes and ideas explored?
In this picture, I wanted to show a woman's gentle look covered with a veil.
Describe your creative process.
All artists are looking for themselves, and I am no exception. I believe that only constant work at an easel creates an artist's individuality, style, and uniqueness.
What are the main influences and inspirations behind your art?
I am most inspired by the paintings of Nicolai Fechin, a Russian and American painter known for his portraits and works featuring Native Americans. I am amazed by his ability to see color combinations. For me, he is the best colorist. In his paintings, unwritten details are created in the mind of the viewer.
What is unique about your art? What do you consider the strongest aspect of your work?
What interests me the most in my paintings is achieving a silent dialogue between the painting and the viewer. I believe that my works are not just static images, but dynamic episodes you can live through.
What message or emotion do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your art?
I hope viewers take away a whole new story filled with beauty and love. But it has to be their own story, I just show them the way and awaken their imagination.
What is the biggest challenge for an artist?
What is the hardest part of your job?
I think that the biggest challenge for an artist is to stay creative and avoid burnout. Sometimes it's really hard to find ways to keep your passion alive.
What is the most rewarding part of being an artist?
When I find inspiration, life becomes beautiful and exciting. I can stand at the easel for hours without getting tired, listening to music in the background, and producing work after work.
How do you balance tradition and innovation in your work?
Traditions are very important. They are the reliable foundation. Innovations are important as well, because this is the way to explore what happens when rules are broken. I am no stranger to innovations, but my choice is evolution, not revolution. I try to be conscious, valuing the refinement of existing forms.
What does "good art" mean to you?
What makes a piece of art great?
In my opinion, a good painting evokes emotion and is memorable.
What is the role of the artist today?
The role of the artist is to cultivate in people a love for beauty. I am very sorry that people are so busy with their everyday problems. It can literally be devastating. I want to fill these gaps with true emotions and colors.