What is the best thing that I love about my work? Meeting new people. An artist’s life can be a very solitary endeavour if you work alone in your studio all the time, but it’s different when you paint portraits by commission. My work attracts many interesting people of different ages, occupations and cultural backgrounds into my studio and my life. Every new project is much more than just a painting; it is an experience, a unique journey that takes me to most unexpected places. Over the years I have worked with people in parliamentary chambers, government offices, ecclesiastical and military institutions, corporate offices, and many fascinating private homes.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? Doing what I love, loving what I do, and being surrounded by people I love.

What is my greatest fear? I do not have any strong fears, really. I am an optimistic positive-thinking person, I try to ban all negative thoughts from my mind.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? My inability to establish a healthy work/life balance. I regularly make attempts to establish a routine and separate work from life but they always lead to nothing. I can only have proper breaks when I am away and physically separated from my easel and my desk. Fortunately, we travel quite a lot, and my family do not object to my 24-hour working mode, so it never becomes a problem.

Which living persons in my profession I most admire? There are very many talented painters working around the world today. I admire those who have outstanding skills, work hard, demonstrate a mature professional attitude, and do not take short cuts or resort to gimmickry in order to attract attention.

What is my greatest extravagance? My multi-layered painting method inspired by the Flemish tradition – one of the most complex Old Masters’ techniques which is very rarely practised today due to its time consuming nature. Each artwork takes many months to create because it has to be carefully pre-planned and executed with precision following a particular procedure. There are a number of stages that include canvas preparation, drawing, monochrome underpainting, multiple layers of over-painting, and, finally,finishing glazes. Artworks regularly have to be put aside for some time to allow paint to dry between layers. I know I can increase my output and become much commercial and interesting to art dealers by switching to modern direct painting methods, but I refuse to do so. I have spent many years researching the Old Masters’ method and believe it is really worth the time it takes: it has been tried and tested by time, and has certain visual effects that are unique to it and cannot be obtained in any other way.

What is the thing I dislike the most in my work? The health hazards which are always present in oil painters’ studios. Pigments, thinners, varnishes, etc. can have a negative effect on oil painters’ health. You can be sensible and minimise the risks, but you cannot avoid them altogether.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? Right now! I have an exciting line-up of painting projects – a mix of institutional and private commissions some of which will require me to travel internationally. It’s amazing, really, to realise that discerning clients choose me because of my skill, wait till I become available, fly me over to another city or country, and agree to pay me for something I have not even created yet. Their confidence in me gives me a wonderful sense of accomplishment and a boost of creative energy.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I would learn to say “no” more often and not feel bad about it. It’s a skill I yet have to master.

What is my greatest achievement in work? My career itself. I am a relative latecomer to the art world: I started painting at 24, the age at which Raphael was already commissioned to paint his famous Vatican frescoes! My career began in a foreign country where I did not know anyone, had no connections and no prior experience in the art world. The early years were very much a trial-and-error experience, and it took a great deal of perseverance to carry on working in classical style in the current art environment. However, I always knew what exactly I wanted to paint and how, and I never allowed myself to get side-tracked. I now have a strong reputation as a portraitist, the status of ‘Living Master’ awarded by the Art Renewal Centre in the USA, an extensive international client base, and a 24-month painting schedule. However, if we talk about individual projects, then it is my current painting which I am creating for the Royal Artillery Institution. When completed, it will hang next to portraits of British monarchs and distinguished military commanders in a museum-quality collection that includes works by artists like George Frederick Watts and Franz Winterhalter.

Where would I most like to live? I have lived in six different countries in Eastern and Western Europe already, and I am sure I will move again in the future. At the moment I am very happy in the UK, the country where my husband is from, where my children were born and are growing up, and where I am busy and fulfilled professionally. I have very special bonds with Russia where I spent my teen years and went to University and with Italy where I learnt to paint portraits and fell in love with classical art. Ideally, I would like to live between several countries to enjoy the best of what they can offer.

What is my most treasured possession? This simple question is surprisingly hard to answer. I love my art books, my easel, my old wooden palette, my laptop… But I do not get attached to material things, I cannot really pick one that I could not live without.

What is my most marked characteristic? I am very organised. I plan everything in advance and am not good at doing things at a short notice. It often surprises people as this is something they do not expect to see in an artist.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? My studio. I do not ever need to wait for inspiration to strike, it is just enough for me to enter my studio and spend some time there.

What books influenced my life and how? Stephen Quiller’s ‘Colour Choices’ had a memorable effect on me. At the beginning of my art career I was rather intimidated by colour and felt overwhelmed by the huge array of pigments available to artists. After I read that book I learnt to love the restricted palette and started making very careful informed colour choices. Now my use of colour is one of the most admired and commented on characteristics of my work.

What music would I listen on my last day? Something beautiful and uplifting, like Mozart or Vivaldi.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? I admire people who work with passion and dedication, those who are not afraid to change their lives in order to pursue their dreams. I find such people very inspiring, regardless of what exactly they do.

What role plays art in my life and work? Art IS my life and work, there is no other way to answer this question!

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My husband. His occupation has nothing to do with art, but he has a great respect for what I do and has always supported me in my desire to become an artist. At the beginning of their careers creative people often lack confidence and are very vulnerable, their dreams can get easily killed by scepticism and negativity, and it’s very important to have someone in your life who would say: “I believe in you, go for it”. My husband was such a person. He has a wonderful ability to always be there for me without ever interfering in my work – a quality that I really value. And my parents, of course! They are my biggest fans and are very proud of me.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017? This year I had the pleasure of working with a world-famous ballerina Natalia Osipova. I really enjoyed the experience and would love to paint portraits of other distinguished people in the arts – musicians, actors, writers. But it is not going to happen in 2017, this is something I will try to develop in the future.

Which people in my profession would I like to meet in 2017? I would like to meet more like-minded artists, galleries and art collectors who share my love of classical art and my sense of aesthetics.

What project in 2017 am I looking forward to work on? I am currently painting a large official portrait of the Master Gunner of St. James’s Park – an important military portrait commissioned by the Royal Artillery Institution in England. I look forward to completing and unveiling this portrait later this year. After that I will work on a number of private commissions, ranging from small single heads-and-shoulders in pastel to full length portraits in oils. I also have two group portraits on my list and I really look forward to working on those challenging projects.

Where can you see me or my work in 2017? This autumn I am going to help raise funds for two children’s charities – ‘Rebecca House’ in the Isle of Man and ‘Gift of Life’ in London by offering exclusive auction lots and setting up solo exhibitions of my works. A selection of portraits will be borrowed from their owners and put on public display – a rare opportunity to see my most recent commissions some of which have never been exhibited before. Those who cannot attend my events this year can view my works online on my website and follow me on social networks.

What do the words ‘Passion never retires’ mean to me? Passion is an amazing driving force; it gives your life a sense of purpose, regardless of how old you are. I feel very fortunate to have discovered my passion and wish everyone to find theirs.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Shana Levenson, Kamille Corry, Daniela Astone, Anna Marinova.

How can you contact me?
http://www.svetlanacameron.com
https://www.facebook.com/svetlanacameron/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/svetlana-cameron