Alexey Klokov is a Russian-born professional fine artist who is also a certified art restorer. Although skilled at realistic art, Alexey’s true love is abstract expressionism where he combines artistic visuals and spiritual expressionism in seemingly simple--yet quite complex--shapes and forms.
Over the course of his career, Alexey has exhibited all over the world. His colorful art has been shown in America, Austria, the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia, and Canada. Alexey’s wife, Naira Velumyan, is also his agent and together they have navigated the international art world.
In the Spring of 2017, they attended New York City’s ArtExpo where Alexey’s work was very well received.
He recently spoke about his artwork and his dreams for the future of his creations.
Creations
Blasting News (BN): What inspired you to become an artist and how did you select your styles and mediums?
Alexey Klokov (AK): As a young child, I always felt an "artistic calling." With my father being an illustrator and living among the beauty of a forest and river in our backyard, it was meant to be. With direct access to the world's leading producers of art materials (Maimeri - Italy, Pebeo - France, Old Holland - Holland, etc.) and an unlimited technological resource which includes gold, silver and palladium pigments I can create my own recipes.
Getting the right vanishes, enamel, oil and acrylic gives me the opportunity to experiment. Generally speaking, my style is about uniqueness and creating "one of a kind" pieces of art, something that no one has ever done before.
BN: How many works of art have you created and what have been some of the biggest venues you have shown work in?
AK: Over the last 28 years more than 3,000 artworks. The most grandiose venue has always been my numerous studios, worldwide (Moscow, London, Tokyo, Vienna, etc.), through which thousands of potential clients have visited. Participation in public events I see as unnecessary and energy-consuming which is why my wife Naira Velumyan is my agent and my voice outside the studio.
BN: Was any piece especially challenging to create and do you have any favorites?
AK: All of my pieces create particular challenges and require different levels of energy and time. A thought process may take up to a decade yet only days to become a piece of art. I favor and value all my artworks and consider them part of myself.
BN: How did you first go about getting your work displayed and accepted into galleries?
AK: I believe that irrespective of any direct action or otherwise it's only a matter of time before my artwork finds its rightful owner. Everyone has a job to do and I rely heavily on my wife and agent, and my trusted and respected team of worldwide dealers.
Profession
BN: What is the most rewarding thing about working professionally as an artist and what advice can you give to people who are aspiring to do the same?
AK: The biggest reward is the personal satisfaction I get from creating artwork with my own mind and hands. My advice to beginner artists is that mastering their skills is a life-long process and believing that you have an absolute recognition of the whole world during your career will destroy you individually and artistically. Although difficult to resist, vanity presents a huge challenge. Success in this industry depends very much on humility!
BN: What are your biggest goals for your future in the near future and do you have any projects or events forthcoming that you would like to discuss?
AK: I would like to create 50 grandiose paintings for every state in the Union. Each piece measuring 12 feet by 21 feet would depict the history and culture of that state in my own style. Overall I don't discuss my projects but I do enjoy sharing my thoughts which are "An existing something is to be analyzed, a non-existing something is a philosophical issue."
