Alexandra Jordankova

“This is what I see. This is what I feel.”

ABOUT MYSELF

I am an abstract artist whose work is deeply rooted in emotion and personal expression. Rather than focusing on representational art, I want my paintings to find their own language, inviting viewers to interpret and connect with them on a personal level. For me, the viewer’s emotional response and the individual meanings they derive from my work are far more important than the original impulse or emotional state that inspired the piece.

My extensive travels have played a significant role in shaping the colors, textures, and themes in my artwork, most notably in my “Divertimento” series, which consists of 99 mixed media paintings. These pieces are inspired by diverse landscapes, cultures, foods, flags, and symbols I encountered during my journeys. Influences include the yellow and blue hues of Provence in France, the deep blues of Chilean Patagonia, the reds of Spanish wine and bullfights, the greens and fauna of South American rainforests, Arabic art and calligraphy from the Middle East and North Africa, the animals and landscapes of safaris in South Africa and Lesotho, the desert colors of Libya, Algeria, and Morocco, the architecture of European cities, as well as the shapes, textures, and earthiness of Greece, Malta, Cyprus, the greenery of Ireland, and the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii and Iceland.

Social and political issues are very important to me and form a strong undercurrent in both my work and my life. Having been a political refugee who emigrated to the United States to escape persecution under a communist regime, I support movements that advocate for human rights and justice. I am strongly against all forms of violence, whether in war, communities, or against individuals and animals. I am a passionate feminist, firmly pro-choice, and actively oppose mistreatment, discrimination, and violence against women. I also advocate tolerance and respect for people of all genders, disabilities, nationalities, and religions.

My creative process is largely improvisational and driven by emotion. I usually start with an impulse or feeling and allow each step in the artwork’s evolution to respond to the previous one, guided continually by my emotional state. I often work in mixed media, choosing whichever materials resonate with my idea or vision at the moment—whether dry or wet media, collage, or printmaking.

There have been two major personal emotional crises that deeply shaped my commitment to art. The passing of my mother left me with emotional scars and mental shock. Later, being diagnosed with a lifelong rehabilitative immunodeficiency illness, which resulted in disability, further reawakened and sustained my dedication to creative expression.

I began as a self-taught artist but earned a Graphic Design Certification at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA). This education was instrumental in refining my skills, craftsmanship, and broadened my understanding of art and design principles.

Photography and alternative processing techniques are also important in my work. I love experimenting by combining my photography with acrylic paints, manipulating images to create unique photo bracelets, and incorporating prints and photographs as collage elements and transfers within my mixed media pieces.

Although I have knowledge of psychology, especially in areas such as perception, color, and emotion, I do not create art strictly based on psychological theory. Instead, I blend emotional and creative impulses with a scientific approach to my process. Abstract landscapes especially inspire me for their colors, layers, shapes, and the ways these elements interact in composition.

My artistic style has evolved over time and is characterized primarily by a focus on color, texture, layering, and shape. I hope that when visitors explore my portfolio, they take the time to find something relatable in my work—something that speaks to them personally—and ideally feel inspired to acquire my paintings.

My influences are diverse and sometimes even contradictory. They include artists and movements such as the Fauves, Picasso, Rembrandt, Matisse, Miró, Richter, Byzantine and Gothic art, Goya, Bosch, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, and many others.

I enjoy working in series because this format allows me to deeply explore subjects or media and create cohesive bodies of work with clear beginnings and endings. Currently, I am pursuing a black and white photography portrait series and planning an achromatic painting series using a very limited palette. Additionally, I intend to continue exploring abstract works incorporating oil paint and cold wax media.

Besides painting and photography, I am passionate about wearable art, creating one-of-a-kind pieces in silk, gemstones, and other materials. My practice is diverse, experimental, and guided by emotion, making my work a rich and evolving exploration of form, color, and human experience.

ARTIST STATEMENT & FULL BIO

Should you be interested to learn more about me – please visit the “About the Artist” page at my landing website “Shop Art by Alexandra” – Click the link bellow