Nice-Premium: Initially, Alexandra Andrejko was leaning towards a more scientific path, how did she change course?
Alexandra Andrejko:
When I was in middle and high school, unlike the other students, I especially loved art classes, which were too rare for my tastes. I would sometimes redo a drawing at home just for the pleasure.
Then, I graduated in biology quite early and resigned myself to going to college for biology because there weren’t more motivating options; not to mention that an artistic career would have been unthinkable in the 90s. I think I must have taken refuge in drawing to escape the scientific rigor. I loved drawing and could spend an entire weekend on a pencil portrait. Finally, once I obtained my DEUG in biology—and still not motivated by a career as a biologist—I enrolled at Villa Thiole, the Municipal School of Fine Arts in Nice. After being admitted to the continuing education program, I prepared my entrance portfolio for the School of Fine Arts in Toulouse there. And that’s how it all started.
N-P: A true love at first sight?
A.A.: More of a passion. I would spend hours retouching a nose or an eye, trying to capture an emotion, to express something…
N-P: Visiting your website, we notice that you have a wide palette of colors at your disposal (pencil, watercolor, oil…)
A.A.: Yes, thanks to the Fine Arts! With a pedagogy very different from traditional teaching, and yet very effective, I learned to use other mediums and tools besides the school pencil and Canson paper, even though I remain very attached to paper—or rather papers, with their different textures, thicknesses, properties… This was actually the basis for the children’s book I created. In short, it was at the Fine Arts that I discovered that one could express oneself graphically through mixed techniques.
As for watercolor, I am a fan of the artist Hugo Pratt, creator of the character Corto Maltese, hence these two portraits of Pandora and Louise and these African watercolors. His work—as well as his life, for that matter—is a true invitation to travel.
N-P: Tell us a little about the African portraits you created.
A.A.: I didn’t seem to be that drawn to Africa, but I see that I am… I think at first, it’s the colors that attract me the most. But then, I think there’s also this pride that emanates from these people, this elegance in the way they wear their traditional costumes. It is often their only wealth, but what a wealth! They are simply dazzling.
Moreover, it’s also about the journey, the fabrics, the jewelry, the colors of faraway lands… and those mischievous glances that let you into their stories, their secrets. In short, there are many of these little very feminine things.
N-P: How is a work created?
A.A.: It is often love at first sight. A shot that pleases me, speaks to me. And makes me want to express myself! It can be a look, a situation, a posture, a fabric or a piece of jewelry, an attitude, an atmosphere, sometimes a resemblance, that attracts me. Generally speaking, something that would be the start of a story. Or it’s like, through painting, I’m going to discover a secret or as if I’m finding someone again. It’s also a representation of my current state of mind.
The hardest part is not to be completely overwhelmed by feelings: you must remain at the door of emotion to represent it as well as possible.
N-P: How would you define your paintings?
A.A.: The expression of a moment. Maybe also a way to travel.
N-P: You put your talent to use for companies by creating their logo, their visuals…
A.A.: Yes, I am a graphic designer. It’s a sort of challenge to succeed in creating the identifier of a person or a company. It’s also a tightrope walk work that involves playing with balance, all with delicacy: adding, removing, stacking, readjusting… typography, colors, logo, composition, everything must allow the client to express and be understood through their logo. Sometimes, by doing some research on shapes, colors, or words, we discover what will enrich a logo and make it stand out and/or be original. It’s truly exciting work.
N-P: You have also designed a children’s book, an experience you would like to do again?
A.A.: Originally, this book was the object of the Illustrator 2000 contest in Hasselt. I had a lot of fun with it: both in pure illustration and graphically. We invent situations, we can afford to play with dimensions, colors, objects: everything is allowed!
I had to put several projects aside due to lack of time. But I think I will be able to pick them up again soon.
N-P: Any projects on the horizon?
A.A.: Oh yes! In 2 to 3 months, I will be setting up as an independent artist and graphic designer. This involves new meetings, new creations, collaborations.
I also have some ideas for paintings: portrait series and also portraits of a slightly less classic style.
I would also like to engage in partnerships with large companies and exhibit in restaurants or cafes to make myself known.
And of course, a new activity also implies a new website, brand new, with my latest graphic creations, of which here is the address
https://www.zanka-design.com
Until this update, internet users will be redirected to my current site.
N-P: To conclude, if we asked you to design a painting that would be featured tomorrow, what theme and color would it have?
A.A.: Well, I must say my graphic designer side would take over: I would update your logo to the colors of the current important event. Because Nice-Premium is positioned as an information site about our region, but also because Nice is making its mark on an international level. It would be interesting to see the site’s interface colored by regional or international life.
For example, during the month of October, why not display a pink ribbon to raise awareness among internet users about the fight against breast cancer.
In a lighter and playful manner, we could have supported our brave French Rugby team. Even though Nice is very fond of its football club, the people of Nice followed the World Cup with enthusiasm: you just had to walk along Saleya Avenue on match nights to realize this excitement. In Nice, after football comes rugby!
Finally, in November, throughout the month, I would envision a “teasing” to announce the arrival of the Nice tramway and the parallel artistic installations.
So here are some ideas and more than a painting, it would be an interaction between Nice-Premium and daily life on various scales.
To discover these works, click on the following link: https://www.zanka-design.com
