The paintings of People's Artist of Ukraine Mykola Prokopenko are known all over the world. His round-faced Madonna with expressive eyes captivates everyone. The artist's works are in 90 museums around the world, not counting galleries and collections. Several exhibitions are currently taking place in Ukraine. ElitExpert went to the workshop of Nikolay Nikolayevich to talk about creativity and philosophy of life.
Nikolay Nikolaevich, your exhibition just took place in Odessa, where it was possible to see your new works. How did your style of a beautiful lady crystallize?
- I write based on impressions. In childhood, in school years, the expression in the eyes of a new student who came to class was captured. And clothes, figure, facial features are not important. This is exactly how a woman is remembered. Every time I start work, I see these eyes.
At what age did you feel like an artist?
— There were no artists in my family. I was born in the last year of the war — in 1945, on August 17, in Odessa. Dad was a pilot. My creativity began with drawing airplanes, which turned into admission to an art school, then to the Kyiv Academy of Arts, where I went to raise the level, plein air, work as a teacher, exhibitions: city, all-Ukrainian, international, titles of Honored and People's Artist of Ukraine...
An artist is a divine phenomenon. Even if you learned a skill, you still don't work the way you were taught, you need your own handwriting. At the same time, the artist does not create. It is God who leads the hand. Of course, there is an artist of the masses, there is a painter, a designer. And there is an artist and a philosopher. When I was teaching, I told my students: we don't make artists out of you. In an educational institution, you hone your skills and get lessons. You may not become an artist. It all depends on your inner philosophy. Creativity is impossible without it. Philosophy can be found even in half of an apple.
The artist goes through certain tests. It's not just bohemian. But also the struggle for life. And when he overcomes, survives and maintains his sincerity, he will succeed.
What do you consider most important in life?
— I consider the main principle to be satisfied with life. If you dip your nose even into a spoonful of water, you will turn and jump to get a breath of air. Therefore, if possible, breathe. But when we have everything, we don't appreciate it. And if envy and lies were to be removed, then peace would be much better. But you have to accept this world as it is.
Your paintings are a holiday of life. Where do you get such positivity from?
— From impressed life. I have been to plein air exhibitions of the Union of Artists in Yugoslavia, Greece, Spain, Bulgaria and other countries. We were invited to monasteries, holy places, and I picked up what I was interested in, closer. And this symbiosis was embodied in the atmosphere of the paintings.
Your works are in 90 museums around the world. And recently even a museum named after you was opened...
We were on the open air in Ochakovo. This magical place is the confluence of the Southern Bug and the Danube. There we became friends with the city administration, and I suggested they create a gallery, for the foundation of which I donated 300 of my paintings. They found a room, repaired it. And now this is a museum where any artist of the world can come and present his works.
I like to give away my paintings. On St. Nicholas Day, he presented two works to Library No. 2 named after K. G. Paustovsky.
Do you have your own regime, work schedule?
- I work every day. Daughter Tatiana equipped a workshop for me in her house in Kholodnaya Balke. There are picturesque grapes, a vegetable garden. Fruits, vegetables. A wonderful place. Tatiana helps me, buys canvases, paints. She graduated from the conservatory, the faculty of philosophy in St. Petersburg and the Academy of Astrology. This year I prepared a book of poems, which is illustrated with my paintings.
You also collaborate with writers.
I have been friends with Igor Pototsky for many years, with my drawings, his books "Harik and Two Magaritas", a collection of lyrics "Tebe" and others were published.
How do you want to see the world and yourself in it?
I love people, sun, sea, flowers, fruits. I love life and creativity!
Interviewed by Inna Ishchuk
