Photo courtesy George Pocheptsov
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You've probably heard of Pablo Picasso. And maybe you've heard of Marc Chagall. But what about George Pocheptsov? All are world-renown artists. Each has his own distinct style. Picasso is probably most recognized by his cubist-style paintings. Chagall, who studied at the St. Petersburg art school, was inspired by many styles, including fauvism and cubism. Pocheptsov has been compared to both Picasso and Chagall, but it's probably safe to say that his first paintings weren't inspired by the works of these or other earlier artists. This is because George Pocheptsov's art career started when he was still a toddler.
A vivid imagination can be incredible inspiration. It's obvious that George's imagination inspires his artwork. When looking at his paintings, you have the feeling that you're actually stepping into imaginary worlds or scenes he has created in his mind. They're filled with bold, bright colors, people (women, men, children, and pregnant women), animals (birds, fish, giraffes, lizards, snakes, etc.), angels, and even monsters. The figures in George's paintings are distorted and, to some, may look slightly bizarre. But there's no denying a sense of joy that fills the canvases. His paintings seem to celebrate people, animals, relationships, nature and life in general.
Now at age 13, George still spends hours at a time in his studio - usually between 10 and 16 hours each week. His favorite time of day to paint is in the morning.
All sorts of people purchase and collect his artwork. Singer Celine Dion, athletic star Michael Jordan and former United States Secretary of State Colin Powel have all commissioned paintings by George. He's also been commissioned to do work for the United Nations and a museum in London.
We recently had a chance to interview George. Here's what he had to say:
Express: What is the process you go through to make a painting? Do you make sketches to prepare or go straight to the actual canvas?
George Pocheptsov: When I was little, I used to do sketches first and then transfer it onto canvas but now I just start from the canvas. The only exception to this is when I do commissions and I need the approval of the person to put it on canvas.
Express: How long does it take you to make a painting?
George Pocheptsov: It varies from 1 week to 6 months.
Express: How much paint do you use in a month? How much money do you spend on supplies?
George Pocheptsov: I never really counted. The supplies cost a lot because I buy the finest paints, canvases and brushes. This month I spent more than $2,000 on supplies but it varies month to month.
"My imagination brings together the stories I read in books, the music I listen to, and my experience with nature to make a very unusual and bizarre fantasy world."
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Express: How many paintings do you create in a month?
George Pocheptsov: I never made it my goal to finish paintings fast or count them. My paintings vary from 8x10 inches to 3x3 meters [9.8x9.8 feet]. So it's better to count the hours I paint rather than the number of paintings I make. The 3D canvas I just finished (72x96 inches) took me about six months.
Express: What inspires you?
George Pocheptsov: There are a few factors that make up my inspiration. The first one is books. The second is music. The third is nature. But most of all I rely on my imagination. My imagination brings together the stories I read in books, the music I listen to, and my experience with nature to make a very unusual and bizarre fantasy world.
Express: Do you listen to music while you paint? If so, what kind?
George Pocheptsov: Yes, I always listen to music. When I ride in the car, I listen to modern music. When I paint, I prefer to listen to classical music. My favorite composers are Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Chopin, and many others.
Express: Have you ever considered making animated movies of your paintings?
George Pocheptsov: Nickelodeon contacted us on this topic but it is still pending. They want to take my art and turn it into a story for kids.
Express: What do you think about making art on computers?
George Pocheptsov: I am still learning the basics of that, but I think it is very cool.
Express: Have you ever tried sculpting? If not, would you like to make sculpture?
George Pocheptsov: The 3D canvas that I make now is sculpture on canvas. I will tell you how I make it so you will have a better understanding of it. I take a regular piece of stretched canvas and put a few layers of unstretched canvas over it so I can sculpt different figures with it. Then, I paint the figures with multiple layers of gesso [a primer] so when they dry they will become hard. If I want to make details such as a nose, eyelashes, fingers, flowers and so on, I use modeling paste. When I finish working with the canvas layers and modeling paste, I cover all of this with the last layer of gesso. After that, I start to paint each figure individually. Only this time this isn't just a regular flat figure, all my figures on the canvas have three sides. And I have to paint each of these sides. This is also the type of sculpting that will be used for the movie "Kate loves Spiffy," which I will be art director in.
"Try your hardest and never give up."
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Express: Can you tell us a little more about this movie project?
George Pocheptsov: The "Kate loves Spiffy" movie is a romantic story about an artist who was an ordinary, average-Joe painter. Then, he falls in love with a very unique girl, and he becomes an incredible artist. I have to make about 20 sculpture canvases for this movie -- some of them are extremely big in size.
Express: Are there other artistic things you'd like to try?
George Pocheptsov: For now, I am learning digital art but I never stop learning so maybe in the future, more opportunities will come up.
Express: Who are your favorite artists from history? And what are your favorite paintings from history?
George Pocheptsov: I really enjoy Picasso's art as well as Monet's. I really love the old style Japanese art.
Express: What's an average day in your life like?
George Pocheptsov: My average day is just like any teenagers': I go to school; I do my homework after school; and paint right after.
Express: Besides painting, what other things do you like to do?
George Pocheptsov: I'm a black belt in karate, I go to the gym, I swim, I play basketball, I play tennis, and now I am taking golf lessons.
Express: What do you like to do with your friends and family?
George Pocheptsov: I like to go to restaurants and I go to the beach a lot.
Express: Do you have any pets?
George Pocheptsov: I have two orange tabby cats named Henry and Asby.
Express: What's your favorite subject in school?
George Pocheptsov: I really enjoy language arts and algebra.
Express: You've traveled a lot -- what places did you enjoy most?
George Pocheptsov: I really enjoy New York and Chicago -- I am in NY and Chicago for a lot of shows and I have many friends there. Next month [October], I am having a "Kids Hall Of Fame" show and [will be attending] the United Nations' 60th Anniversary [*George was commissioned to do artwork for the United Nations] - both are in New York.
Express: What and where is your favorite museum?
George Pocheptsov: I like the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. I also like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.
Express: Do you have any advice for others who like to paint?
George Pocheptsov: Try your hardest and never give up.
