INTERVIEW: DARYA ZALESSKAYA

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.

Darya Zalesskaya: My name is Zalesskaya Daria and I am 28 years old. I was born in Almaty and now live with my family in Issyk. All my life I have been doing creative work. I first took a pen in my hands when I was 1 year old. Since then, I have never been bored, because drawing was my main pastime and entertainment. 

I tried different techniques, types of art and creativity, for example wood burning, airbrushing, decoupage, worked with a hand jigsaw, baked and painted cookies with food paints, was fond of nail design, and painted walls. At the moment, I am practicing digital illustration, trying different styles in this multifaceted direction. I paint portraits, nature, and everything that inspires and cheers people up. Favourite techniques are digital illustration, watercolor and acrylic painting. 

What I like about my work is that everyday I try new ways and directions. I don’t work in one style, although this thought upset me before. But it’s more interesting to develop yourself, to learn new things, isn’t it?

I also love taking part in art marathons! It is a great opportunity to get acquainted with works of other different artists and illustrators. Get new skills and experience in a short time. 

OCA: Who is your role model in the creative space/ sphere of your art?

DZ: Since childhood, I liked the bright paintings of Van Gogh, and also love the works of Serov. From contemporary artists, I really enjoy the style of my mother Elena Bezrukova – projective graphics, I like its lightness and expression! Also I follow the works of an insanely creative blogger – Aisulu Nurtayeva and am inspired by the watercolor works of Oksana Viktorova. 

OCA: Do you have any personal projects that you would like to talk about?

DZ: In the fall of 2019, I took part in the Super Kyz project. I was one of the illustrators of children’s books about outstanding women of Kazakhstan and painted a portrait of the legendary Bibigul Tulegenova. In the same year, there was a big project to decorate the walls in a family cafe.

In 2020, I took part in a competition from the Carlsberg company, came up with a poster on a given topic and took third place. And I am incredibly proud of being a participant in the exhibition “100 years of Komsomol”, from ECG.

I am also the illustrator for several training courses on the restaurant business topic, and the illustrator of books on speed reading. 

OCA: When and where have you heard about ECG for the first time?

DZ: From its founder, Marat Ismailovich Akhmetjanov.

Marat Ismailovich is an old and good friend of our family! During one of his visits to Almaty, he told me about his new project, where he wanted to unite creative people and help them to develop. I believed in this project, because Marat is a great enthusiast and a real ideological inspirer! And he has brought his project to life.

Now I am a member of the Eurasian Creative Guild! 

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in. 

DZ: All activities of the Guild make a great contribution to the cultural development of our country. They unite, inspire and support people of all creative professions. The meetings are very sincere, warm with really wonderful people. I really enjoyed taking part in an art exhibition dedicated to the work of the writer Chingiz Aitmatov. 

OCA: How does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

DZ: ECG taught me to not be afraid to show my works and to accept the idea that I can be on a par with other talented artists of the Guild. I also like that the exhibitions held by the Guild are all different, interesting, allowing you to show your work as you see it and feel comfortable at the same time. 

OCA: What would you wish for members of the Guild, just starting their career?

DZ: I wish everyone to go forward, to work and grow in their field. And be open to people! 

OCA: What is Eurasian Creative Guild for you? 

DZ: We are all friends with the same interests. They are cool, positive people from whom you can get a sea filled with emotions. 

The Guild is a great and magical resource that helps to develop yourself and your business. It inspires, supports, guides and gives an opportunity to show yourself to the world. Thank you very much for that!

And thanks to Marat, because he embodied his idea in a large, global and cool community!