It is believed that drawing on feathers has come to us from ancient Indian traditions. Over time, contemporary artists have also started using feathers in their works. Galya Stoyanova is perhaps the only artist in Bulgaria who paints on feathers.
“As always, things sometimes happen by accident. 4-5 years ago I used to paint on pebbles and searched for motifs and photos of birds, and I discovered painting on feathers, which was very interesting to me and became my next challenge,” Galya Stoyanova recalls.
She first started with pigeon feathers, but then discovered pheasant and turkey feathers, which are wider. Before proceeding to the actual painting, the feather must be treated in a certain way.
“It must be cleaned before a primer is applied on it, because the surface is very slippery. I use acrylic or watercolor paints, and when the painting is finished, weatherproof coating must be applied to make it more durable. The process is not so difficult but it takes a lot of patience and diligence because the area is very small and I work with very thin brushes,” Galya Stoyanova says about the secrets of this art. She first started drawing birds and animals, as she saw them in the works of Ian Davie.
“Later on, I decided to include something different. Since I love painting icons, I made a few feathers with church images, as well as folklore traditions. A lot of people liked them.”
Bright colors, gentle lines of images, precision and the wide variety of themes and motifs all turn the painted feathers into a non-traditional and desired gift. Feathers are said to be a wonderful protective amulet to protect against evil eyes and inaccurate decisions. It is not accidental that a feather is considered a talisman that harmonizes family relationships and attracts luck and prosperity.
“Drawing on feathers is Indian art, but today everyone does it differently, according to their view,” Galya Stoyanova says. "And the message I put into my works is to be as free as birds, to be more creative. There are still many challenges in art waiting for us.”
English: Alexander Markov
Photos: private libraryThe 116th anniversary of the proclamation of Bulgaria's Independence will be solemnly celebrated in the picturesque Italian town of Brunate on Lake Como. It is organized by the Bulgarian-Italian Society "Pencho Slaveykov" with the assistance of the..
Fashion that you can't wear, but that will inspire you. Exquisite dresses, not made of lace or silk, but of metal. Zhivko Sedlarski's exquisite sculptures are owned by museums, galleries and private collections on 3 continents, earning him the nickname..
The 42nd Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature Film Festival begins in Varna. The competition program will feature 15 full-length films, 20 short films and 5 TV series. The opening ceremony will take place on the evening of September 19 at the..
"I have ordered inspections of all theaters to find out whether there are schemes for siphoning off state funds in other places", caretaker Minister of..
The Festival for European Solidarity will mark the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. According to the organizers from the Cultural Centre..
The president of the Bulgarian Women and Families Club in Hamburg, Emilia Jucker, presents her paintings to the Chicago public for the second time. This time..
+359 2 9336 661