{"id":18554,"date":"2025-04-30T14:26:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/?p=18554"},"modified":"2025-04-30T22:24:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T22:24:42","slug":"valeriia-popova","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/2025\/04\/30\/valeriia-popova\/","title":{"rendered":"Valeriia Popova"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18554\" class=\"elementor elementor-18554\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccb35de e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ccb35de\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6609e23 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6609e23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 22-05-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Where do you live: Miami, FL<br>Your education:<br><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">B.A. in Hospitality Management and Minor in International<br><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">Relations \u2013 Florida International University<br><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">B.A. in Sports Management \u2013 Dragomanov University (Kyiv, Ukraine)<br><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">Digital Marketing Certificate \u2013 University of Miami<br><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">Fintech Certificate \u2013 Harvard<br><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">UX\/UI Design Certificate \u2013 GoIT, Ukraine<br><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">Describe your art in three words: Bold. Nostalgic. Ambitious.<br><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;\">Your discipline: Pop Realism<\/span><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vpopova.art\/\">Website<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vpopovaart\/\">Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18556\" src=\"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/\u0411\u0435\u0437-\u0438\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0438-1-25.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/\u0411\u0435\u0437-\u0438\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0438-1-25.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/\u0411\u0435\u0437-\u0438\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0438-1-25-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/\u0411\u0435\u0437-\u0438\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0438-1-25-768x599.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/\u0411\u0435\u0437-\u0438\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0438-1-25-600x468.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Your art blends the elegance of the &#8217;50s and &#8217;60s with the energy of modern life. How do you balance these two distinct influences in your work?<\/h4>\n<p>Honestly, I\u2019ve always been in love with the elegance of the post-war Golden Age\u2014late &#8217;40s, &#8217;50s, early &#8217;60s. That era had this timeless charm. People dressed with intention, music had soul, and everything felt more glamorous. I still get goosebumps listening to Sinatra or Elvis\u2014sometimes that\u2019s where a whole painting starts, with just a song. Then I\u2019ll see a scene from an old movie like Breakfast at Tiffany&#8217;s or even a vintage ad, and something clicks.<br>But I live in the now\u2014and I want my art to speak to today\u2019s confidence, ambition, and edge. So I add a modern twist. Maybe it\u2019s a cartoon character, maybe it\u2019s a luxury fashion item, or even a touch of irony. It\u2019s about mixing the soul of the past with the hustle of today. Glamour, but with attitude.<\/p>\n<h4>Your project statements often focus on themes of ambition and playfulness. How do these elements manifest visually in your pieces?<\/h4>\n<p>I see art as more than just something pretty for a wall. I want it to inspire. I want someone to look at my work and feel like, \u201cDamn\u2014I want that lifestyle. I deserve that confidence.\u201d Whether it&#8217;s a character sitting like a boss, or an old-school icon with a modern twist, the goal is to empower.<br>Playfulness, for me, is about not taking it all too seriously. Life is heavy enough. I like adding a wink\u2014a little joke, a clever detail, something unexpected that makes people smile or say, \u201cWait, is that\u2026?\u201d Humor gives the work soul.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18555 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Us-Against-The-World.-2024.-38x48-in.-Mixed-media.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1050\" height=\"1427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Us-Against-The-World.-2024.-38x48-in.-Mixed-media.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Us-Against-The-World.-2024.-38x48-in.-Mixed-media-221x300.jpg 221w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Us-Against-The-World.-2024.-38x48-in.-Mixed-media-753x1024.jpg 753w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Us-Against-The-World.-2024.-38x48-in.-Mixed-media-768x1044.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Us-Against-The-World.-2024.-38x48-in.-Mixed-media-600x815.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px\" \/> Valeriia Popova | Us Against The World | 2024<\/p>\n<h4>You mention that your background as a professional swimmer has influenced your art. Can you elaborate on how the discipline and focus from sports are reflected in your creative process?<\/h4>\n<p>Absolutely. I was a sprinter\u2014I swam competitively for 13 years. That life teaches you how to show up, even when it\u2019s hard. You train when you\u2019re tired, when no one\u2019s cheering, when you just want a break. That mindset never left me.<br>Now, when I\u2019m in my studio, I bring that same drive. I can paint for 10 hours straight without even realizing the time. I\u2019m obsessive about detail, about finishing strong. Swimming also taught me how to tune everything out and just focus\u2014and that\u2019s what painting is. It\u2019s my lane now.<\/p>\n<h4>You describe your art as a bridge between past and present. How do you decide which elements from the past to include in your contemporary pieces?<\/h4>\n<p>It\u2019s instinctual, honestly. I just love the vibe of the past. Sometimes I\u2019ll hear an old song\u2014like Ronnie Hilton\u2019s The Wonder of You\u2014and it just takes me away. Or I\u2019ll see a photo or a frame from a black-and-white film, and something about it sparks something in me emotionally.<br>I\u2019m not trying to recreate that era exactly\u2014I want to take its essence and give it new life. I start thinking: how can I make this speak to someone today? How do I add a bit of humor, or something bold and unexpected, while still honoring that classic aesthetic? It\u2019s like remixing a vintage song with a modern beat. You still feel the soul, but it hits differently now.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18557 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Kingpin.-2024.-30x40-in.-Acrylic-on-canvas.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1050\" height=\"1429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Kingpin.-2024.-30x40-in.-Acrylic-on-canvas.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Kingpin.-2024.-30x40-in.-Acrylic-on-canvas-220x300.jpg 220w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Kingpin.-2024.-30x40-in.-Acrylic-on-canvas-752x1024.jpg 752w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Kingpin.-2024.-30x40-in.-Acrylic-on-canvas-768x1045.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Valeriia-Popova.-Kingpin.-2024.-30x40-in.-Acrylic-on-canvas-600x817.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px\" \/> Valeriia Popova | Kingpin | 2024<\/p>\n<h4>With your wide range of interests from fashion to sports, how do these varied passions come together in your artistic practice?<\/h4>\n<p>They all show up on the canvas. Fashion gives my work texture and aspiration. I love luxury not just as a material thing\u2014but as a symbol. It\u2019s about taste, confidence, and identity.<br>Sports gave me discipline and competitiveness\u2014I want to be better with each painting. And the adrenaline from things like boxing or shooting keeps me sharp. I\u2019m not a passive person, and neither is my art. It\u2019s bold. It moves. It has attitude.<\/p>\n<h4>What role does nostalgia play in your work, and how do you use it to connect with viewers emotionally?<\/h4>\n<p>Nostalgia plays a big part in what I create\u2014it\u2019s that emotional anchor that pulls people in. I think there\u2019s something comforting about seeing a familiar style, an old-school mood, or even just a color palette that reminds you of another time. It brings people closer to the artwork before they even realize why.<br>For me, it\u2019s not just about referencing the past\u2014it\u2019s about evoking a feeling. A lot of my inspiration comes from vintage music or old movies, and I try to bring that same atmosphere into my paintings. Once the viewer feels that connection, I like to gently shift the focus\u2014add a modern twist, a touch of irony or ambition\u2014so it becomes something new. Something that feels both personal and fresh.<\/p>\n<h4>How do you use luxury fashion and pop culture in your artwork to create a dialogue about modern life?<\/h4>\n<p>I think luxury fashion and pop culture are such a big part of how we express ourselves today\u2014they say a lot about what we value, what we dream of, or even how we want to be seen. For me, it\u2019s not about promoting brands or status, it\u2019s more about capturing that energy\u2014what success and identity look like in the modern world.<br>Sometimes I mix these elements with something humorous or nostalgic to create contrast or to invite people to reflect without it feeling too heavy. It\u2019s a way to explore ambition, image, even vulnerability\u2014but in a visual language people recognize and connect with.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where do you live: Miami, FLYour education:B.A. in Hospitality Management and Minor in InternationalRelations \u2013 Florida International UniversityB.A. in Sports Management \u2013 Dragomanov University (Kyiv, Ukraine)Digital Marketing Certificate \u2013 University of MiamiFintech Certificate \u2013 HarvardUX\/UI Design Certificate \u2013 GoIT, UkraineDescribe your art in three words: Bold. Nostalgic. Ambitious.Your discipline: Pop Realism Website | Instagram Your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18554"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18803,"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18554\/revisions\/18803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visualartjournal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}