Artist Spotlight : Elena Stogneva, from Architect to Watercolourist

 

As part of our series in celebration of the recent Green & Stone exhibition, we caught up with Elena Stogneva, who won the Best Watercolour Medium prize with her painting ‘The British Museum’, to ask her about her work, and the journey she has taken from being a professional architect to a full-time watercolour artist.

You’ve still time to see the exhibition, which finishes 8 February 2024 at the Green & Stone Gallery, 251-253 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6HY.

Trafalgar by Elena Stogneva
 on Saunders Waterford

Lena is a visual storyteller and professional artist who is never without her sketchbook. Her background in architecture has allowed her to hone her perspective and geometry skills, and she loves to flex these skills spending time sketching street views, urban scenes and city skylines. 

“I believe you have to see and feel the subjects before you draw. It’s great to be able to catch the buzz of the city -  its people, the smells, and mix of cultures - and then translate that to my sketches and paintings.” says Elena.

Painting in an impressionist style, Lena has come to specialise in urban landscapes, focusing on the play of light and shadow to convey the city’s varying moods and emotions. She also enjoys playing with angles of view and, in particular, looking down from vertiginous viewpoints. Lena has experimented with many different drawing materials over the years, but discovered watercolour three years ago and hasn’t looked back. Watercolour has become her favourite medium and for most of her paintings she uses Saunders Waterford 300gsm CP (NOT) paper made by St Cuthberts Mill. 

“Saunders Waterford is my must-have paper,” says Elena.

'The British Museum' - Best Water Based Medium
at Green & Stone Works on Paper 2024 

When asked about her winning painting, she explains:

“The British Museum is one of my favourite places in London with the space of the Great Court feeling airy and light. In my painting, I portrayed the visitors’ figures casting dynamic reflections on the polished floor, and added the bright spots in mainly monochromatic space.”

By Elena Stogneva on Saunders Waterford

“I’m planning to do more plein air paintings, so I’m looking forward to warmer days. I’ve also an idea to paint more of the distinctive steel structures found inside many London buildings, like the interiors of train stations and markets. I like to capture industrial elements and think they’re an important part of urban aesthetics.” 

Lena is excited to continue working from her studio in Hertfordshire, travelling the short distance into the city for her regular urban fix, and sharing her work with an ever-growing audience.

“I like to regard my pictures as my messengers and I’m happy if others feel that emotion when they look at them too.”

Elena receiving her award from St Cuthberts Mill chairman Alan Walker
and Green & Stone Managing Director Hester Baldwin,
at the January 2024 Works on Paper exhibition.

To see more on Elena visit:

www.objectsaround.me 
www.instagram.com/lena_stogneva/

For more information on the Green & Stone exhibition, including the catalogue visit:

https://www.thegalleryatgreenandstone.com/winter-exhibition-2024