Enlightenment, provocation, continuous volcano eruption… This is how young painter Georgi Petrov describes his first encounter with the art of painting, which turned out to be love at first sight. He was born in 1978 in the town of Dobrich, but he lives and works in Sofia. Georgi belongs to the category of self-taught artists. He graduated the University of Forestry in Sofia, as well as the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in the city of Plovdiv, majoring Art Management. He started painting as early as he was a school student, choosing painting as a way to communicate his emotions. He acquired the necessary technical skills by means of drawing books, and by acquainting himself with the styles of various painters. “I have explored the art of painting all by myself. Gradually I have reached the stage at which I feel more liberated and can play with colours, unfold them, and most of all be myself”, Georgi shares. Here is what he says further about inspiration, and the things that urge him to take the brush and palette in his hands:

“No matter the kind of art, the artist should always be alert about inspiration. Every moment, at every step, wherever you are, you can see colour, and hear music or a word which can be represented in your pictures. I draw inspiration from the surrounding world, travels, books, talks with people, as well as the things I see and experience. Love, drama, the things I have not achieved, the things I am still missing, and moments that give me confidence can also inspire a cycle of pictures”, Georgi Petrov says for Radio Bulgaria.

Only 32 years old, Georgi has already had 35 one-man shows and joint expositions in Bulgaria, the USA and across Europe. He also owns a gallery in his hometown Dobrich. He is the creator and author of the first Facebook art exhibition called Password Love. /www.facebook.com/georgipetrov.eu. / “Love is a true password that helps you connect first with yourself and then with the rest of the world”, the young artist says and adds:

“The idea about exhibiting my pictures in Facebook came from my friends”, Georgi told Radio Bulgaria. “What is more, in the 21st century, Facebook is a convenient way to reach a lot of people without intruding on them. I have a Facebook fan page that is open to anyone. This virtual exhibition turned out a very successful and provocative method for me, thanks to my virtual fans and friends, who are more than 6000 at the moment. Most of them come from Bulgaria, or are Bulgarians living abroad. It was them that inspired me to make exhibition first in Sofia and then in the USA. I did not even know personally the gallery keepers in New Jersey, where my exposition took place. They knew my virtual profile from my web site and Facebook account. I dreamt that the show could become a traveling exhibition, and that dream has come true now. After New Jersey, the exposition was moved to the Bulgarian Consulate in New York on the occasion of 24th May – the Bulgarian holiday of education and culture. Moreover, thanks to the Bulgarian community in Boston, a modern art centre in Boston hosted my exhibition in early July. The centre’s manager turned out to be a great fan of Bulgaria’s culture, folklore and fine arts. At the same time, the show was posted on Facebook , where I share everything that excites me. This is how I reveal a big part of my personality, unlike many people who would not use facebook to this end. I upload citations, my thoughts, music, as well as old and, more often, new paintings. I share the stages and the process of creation of my pictures. I share my world with the big virtual one.”, Georgi Petrov goes on to say.

There are not enough words to describe the impressionist oil canvases of the young artist, which represent an incredible play of colours and emotions. In the cycle entitled Landscape Painting Georgi mostly represents Bulgaria’s diversity. “I am more interested in the emotion, the movement, the nuance, the changing colour: themes which were typical of the impressionists, and later of the expressionists”, Georgi explains. Many of his paintings are part of Bulgarian and foreign art collections. Via the net many of his fans have got into direct contact with the artist.

“The live contact has always been more important to me”, Georgi says further. “Some people have bought pictures from me, only after seeing them on their computer screens. People, however, are more fascinated when they see my works live. Oil paintings must be seen live, because they have a stronger effect and aroma on the viewer”, Georgi explains.

After some 10 months of active show participations, Georgi is now planning to spend more time on his own and explore the thoughts and emotions he has gathered in his last trips. He wants to include some brief notes under his new cycle of paintings. Here is what he says about the difficulties, challenges and opportunities that Bulgarian artists have:

“It is hard, but there is some peculiar charm to get your freedom and have your time in your own hands. I cannot imagine working anything else. Many of my colleagues take up other jobs and turn themselves into what we call “Sunday painters”, that is a sort of amateurs. Of course, one needs to make compromises once in a while. I like the ups and downs in life…Looking back at the history of art, I can see that there were very few painters who managed to gain recognition and prosper in their lifetimes. I like to walk the middle way, do what I enjoy, and what brings me money. This has been my life in the last 15 years”, Bulgarian artist Georgi Petrov says in conclusion.

English version: Vyara Popova