The Cityscapes

Impressions of Barcelona, Oil on Canvas, Paola Minekov

Author and artist - Paola Minekov -

Sometimes you arrive in a strange city completely by chance and you immediately feel at home… And sometimes you may have lived there all your life, know every block of pavement as the palm of your hand, and yet you just can’t shed this uneasy feeling that perhaps you don’t really belong there.

Our relationship with urban spaces is long and complex, an integral part of our evolution as species. What defines the character of a city? Is it the architecture, the private memories we share with someone special, the unique light, the smells?

Amsterdam, Acrylic on Canvas, Paola Minekov

When I paint the cities I’ve lived in and visited, I do so from memory and a few rather vague sketches. I’m not looking for realism but for that spark which inspires me to return to a place, in my mind, again and again. I let my impressions of the streets, buildings and nature take over and turn into abstractions until the picture I see when I close my eyes is clear and distinctly mine.

Then I transfer it to the canvas.

Gaslight London, Acrylic on Panel

Right now, I live in London. For me, it's a place like no other. It has the appeal of a powerful, ancient city that is still making the transition to the ultra-modern, where cosy little alleys run alongside skyscrapers and quirky, colourful fashion overpowers dress suits, while the mist above the Thames is a reminder of centuries of rich history.

Gaslight London, the paining above, is a contemporary take on the classic view of the city’s historical centre. All great cities are built near a river or the sea and London, with its impressive bridges, makes no exception.

As an artist, I find the reflections of light in water a fascinating extension of our physical world, an alternative reality I can spend hours exploring in my art.

The World Awaits...

Author - Aneta Nedyalkova -

It’s been three years since we left Bulgaria. We’ve changed three countries. I will never call myself an immigrant. During this time I've met an awful lot of people who travel, move countries, change their work and don’t consider this as immigration. People who have the need to travel and who crave new experiences. Seekers with restless souls. They stop only when they are convinced deep down inside that they are at the right place. These thoughts provoked me to write down some of the conclusions I’ve reached. They may or may not be correct. Some of them may sound trivial but this is what I have experienced. 

1. It is never too late. You can start anew in a completely unfamiliar place at the age of 45. You can do it at 55 too. I’ve seen and experienced it. 
2. It’s never easy. Not at all. But it is always possible. 
3. New places are like children – you need time to “raise” them. Some are more difficult to grow and others are easier. But it is always extremely emotional and interesting. 
4. There are good and bad people everywhere and that does not depend on their nationality, race or religion. Certainly, the good outnumber the bad ones. 
5. Education, literacy and experience are the “open sesame” for everything you want to achieve. Knowledge is power. 
6. Regardless of where a person is from, being proud of one’s roots is always treated with respect. 
7. Old friends are always dearly missed. All new friendships are wonderful – you can do everything with your new friends. They’ll make you have, you’ll spend time together and share emotions. Nevertheless, they will never be like your old friends, whom you have left afar. Maybe twenty years down the line this view will change. I can’t tell at this stage. 
8. Many things in our lives depend solely on us. We are responsible of keeping our home beautiful and our garden - flourishing; keeping everything neat and a smile on our face. We have the power to do so regardless of everything. This is not something that depends on a country or a politician. It is something that is within us and the result is a better life for all. 
9. Health and family are sacred. Full stop. 
10. You are the newcomer, you are the one that needs to fit in. If you are unhappy with this fact and if you are not ready for it, don’t ever leave. You stand no chance. 

 The world is a big and colourful, it awaits to be discovered!..