Artist Secrets - Episode 4 - Storytelling with Paraskovia Podorvana
Click the image to watch episode four of Artist Secrets
Allura is pleased to present Episode Four of the Artist Secrets series. This episode features gifted local art student Paraskovia Podorvana, the double-winner (both local and global) of the Sovereign Student Art Prize.
In this blog post article, we talk to visual storyteller Paraskovia (Pasha for short) about her episode, in which she demonstrates her approach to creating characters and scenery to illustrate a story. We also explain how you or someone you know can enter the competition.
Click here to watch Episode four
(Or click here to watch Episode Four without captions).
Click here to watch previous episodes with artists Debbie Bonello, Christopher Saliba and Mark Schembri.
Paraskovia Podorvana talking to Laura Swale during filming at the offices of the Sovereign Art Foundation.
Open Studios
The Artist Secrets series is part of Allura’s broader Open Art Studios Programme, which goes behind the scenes with local artists to reveal their creative process.
Many of the paintings produced in the series are currently on public display at the The Big Show at Wignacourt Museum until December 9 2021 and features around 40 paintings by the 12 artists of the Allura Art collection.
Click the image for more details of The Big Show at Wignacourt Museum
Allura and Sovereign
Allura has been involved with The Sovereign Art Foundation since the competition first launched locally in 2017. Our efforts to encourage young talent have seen the competition go from strength to strength each year.
Allura is proud to feature Sovereign’s ultimate prize-winner Paraskovia in the Artist Secrets series. Pasha’s episode reveals her creative ideas and technical skills, which we hope will inspire and educate art lovers and aspiring artists.
Paraskovia Podorvana - Winner of the Sovereign Student Art Prize (Judges’ Prize) for Malta and Gozo 2020 and winner of the first ever Global Prize
About Paraskovia Podorvana
Eighteen year old Paraskovia has lived in Malta since she, her parents and her sister first relocated from the Ukraine in 2014. Following in the family tradition, her great passion is art, which she studied to A Level, recently graduating from the G. F. Abela Junior College.
In 2020 at the age of 16, Pasha became the Judges’ Prize Winner of the Sovereign Art Prize for Malta and Gozo. At 17 she went on to compete with competition winners from other countries to win Sovereign’s first ever Global Prize, with her piece The Little Joys.
The Little Joys - prize-winning artwork by Paraskovia Podorvana
Paraskovia’s portfolio
In Episode Four, Paraskovia explains her great love of art and her influences growing up. She also shares recent work from her impressive Art A Level portfolio.
Paraskovia at work on a still-life piece for her A Level Art portfolio
Episode Four
In Episode Four Pasha produces a new, Malta-themed illustration from scratch, talking us through the process from concept to completion, explaining her ideas, methods and paint techniques.
A still from episode four of Pasha’s art materials - Rembrandt watercolour paints by Royal Talens
Paraskovia on open studios
On the subject of open studios, Pasha says “I think it's a great idea as it gives insight into the creative process of the artists and adds layers to their work for those who might be unaware of how difficult and time-consuming art can be.”
Pasha on filming
“It has been quite an unusual experience since I don't get filmed often,” says Paraskovia, “but everyone was so nice and welcoming that I would be lying if I didn't say that it was a wonderful experience.”
“Most importantly, I wish for this programme to teach aspiring art students new techniques, while also showing individual skills of the participant artists.”
A still from episode four of Pasha’s new illustration in progress, in which she demonstrates the use of rice and salt to achieve watercolour effects
A future career in art?
The answer to this question is a resounding YES.
“I intend to apply to a graphics course at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara, Italy. The course focuses on various printing techniques and an overall graphical approach to art. I’m taking this course because my dream job is to become an illustrator, which would actually require a good knowledge of graphics.”
The Sovereign Student Art Prize
What is it?
The Sovereign Student Art Prize is a competition for art students aged 14-17. It takes place in many countries, including Malta and Gozo, where this year’s prize is about to launch.
Former winner Polina Loginova and her school receiving the judges' prizes for her winning piece Valletta 2018
Why enter?
Reasons to enter include the creative challenge of course, but also the chance for recognition for outstanding artwork and for a large audience to see it. This public exposure is offered not just to the winners, but also for the 20 finalists, through the prize’s touring exhibition throughout Malta and Gozo which allows the public to also cast a vote for their favourites.
If this wasn’t enough, there are hundreds of Euros in cash prizes to be won, not only for students, but also for participating schools.
“Go for it!” says Pasha.
“The competition definitely helped me with gaining more confidence to pursue a career in illustration. It also meant I could buy new materials and even try out digital art, which I’ve been practicing for over a year now.”
“I would highly recommend students apply, as it was a great experience and a good chance to see the variety of other young artists and maybe learn something from them.
“I would highly recommend students apply.”
Paraskovia Podorvana
In episode four, Stephen Griffiths, the Managing Director of Sovereign Group Malta, explains the competition in more detail and extends an invitation to young artists to apply.
“This is fantastic exposure - an opportunity to get publicity worldwide.”
Stephen Griffiths
How to apply
Applications for the 2022 prize can be submitted during the entry window between December 13 2021 and January 21 2022.
Click the image to enter the Sovereign Student Art Prize for Malta and Gozo 2022
Allura and Sovereign would like to thank Paraskovia for sharing her creative process and we wish her well for her future career in illustration.
We would also like to wish the very best of luck to everyone who enters the competition this year.
And finally…
Each episode of Artist Secrets follows the making of a new and previously unseen piece of original art as it is produced on camera especially for the series.
For more information about the Artist Secrets series, read Allura’s blog post about the launch or the article in the Sunday Times of Malta.
Open Studios
Artists Secrets is part of the broader Allura Open Art Studio Programme. The ‘open studio’ format is popular all over the world as a way to connect artists with their audiences in engaging and inspiring ways.
Acknowledgements
The Allura Open Art Studios Programme is supported by Arts Council Malta through the Programme Support Scheme. It is also supported by The Sovereign Art Foundation, the Melita Foundation and Attard and Co, importers of Royal Talens art materials. Artists taking part in Artist Secrets used art materials by Royal Talens to create the work produced for the series.
The Allura Art Collection is an evolving, curated collection of original paintings, some figurative and some abstract. The Allura Art website features pieces in a variety of genres, styles and sizes to suit home, office or commercial interiors and which also make beautiful and unique gifts. Furthermore, the search by price page makes it easy to browse according to your budget.
The Allura Art collection is regularly updated with new artwork and new artists. To receive updates by email, join our mailing list.
Allura Art deals only in genuine and authenticated originals which are sourced directly from reputable living painters. We offer original fine art at studio prices with secure online payment and safe shipping internationally or local delivery throughout Malta and Gozo. Visit the Allura Art website or find Allura on Facebook or Instagram at @allura_malta. Contact Allura at info@allura.mt or +356 99583389.
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