Two names (and a pseudonym):
Nevena Nenova – NEVEN
Introduce yourself in a few words:
I am colorful because I am named after a flower. Freedom, art and mountains are my values. I am inspired by nature. Drawing is my superpower! Creativity makes me meaningful. Making art means small discoveries every day. I try to use my own visual language with symbolic meanings. One of my favorite games is “Don’t be angry, man”. Dreams come true (sometimes). When I visit an exhibition, I enter another world. “The place is different, but the sky is not...” Sometimes I put on my “thick skin” – that’s what my mom used to tell me. I believe in miracles! I have a collection of children’s drawings. I really like going to bed early.
I think time doesn’t exist. That’s what Jonathan says. Imagination and personal boundaries are directly proportional. I love having someone read fairy tales to me. I often open my “bag of courage” and take a little bit. My friends keep it.
Real things are made up, and made up things are real.
What did you graduate from?
I graduated from the Academy of Arts in Sofia. My specialty is “Design of Children’s Environment”. I upgraded with a master’s program in “Illustration”.
What is your professional experience so far?
I work actively in the field of creative work with children. Children’s perception and artistic ability to interpret the world and express emotions excite me. I am the organizer and presenter of numerous studios and workshops, presenting various techniques of applied arts such as collage, non-woven textiles, working with clay, mosaic, etc. I don’t forget about drawing either! In my personal work, I have been drawing birds lately.
Tell us more about your work (style, technique, interests, working method):
As I said, the main object and image in my art lately is the bird as a symbol of freedom and liberty. These are concepts that I seek form and interpretation for. The expressiveness of the watercolor technique and the work with ink help me achieve an imagery in my drawings that explores birds as expressive characters and personalities. They themselves are very recognizable and spiritual…even personal. I like to change artistic materials and experiment with mixing and combining them. I try to paint every day. It is a curious feeling when I see my own work from a long time ago.
Exhibitions/participations/performances/awards:
Solo exhibitions: "30x30 NEVEN" 2020, "YATO" 2021, "Blind Spot" 2021,
"YATO 2" 2021, "Illustrations 2023" 2022, "YATO in Ruse" 2024 and "YATO in Ecomuseum" 2025.
Participation in dozens of exhibitions in the country and abroad, including "The Art of Miniature" Ruse Art Gallery, Triennial "Bridges" Gabrovo Art Gallery, "Biennale of Illustration", Sofia, "Biennale of Small Forms", Pleven, "Abstract and Non-Figurative Art 21x21", Sofia, "Works on paper", London, etc.
Illustrated works:
Children's guide to the city of Kazanlak, "Zaiova polyana" M. Velikova, "Children are like flowers" K. Marinova
Who is your favorite illustrator?
I can't name just one. But names like Yasen Gyuzelev, Tony Wolf, Quentin Blake, Chris Wormell, LOISH, Sonya Danovski, My messy Dessy, Apash, Grande K8 and many, many others of course, definitely provoke me to rethink my visual language.
What is your favorite illustrated book?
If I had to name just one, it would be "Guardian Angels" by Yasen Grigorov.
What book do you dream of illustrating?
I would definitely like to illustrate more publications for children, for example fairy tales.
But lately I've also been thinking about poetry. Something that would allow for a more symbolic and abstract interpretation.
Facebook/Instagram/other:
Instagram: calendula_oficinalis
And here are some of Neven's works...
Add comment