What is the best thing that I love about my work? The best thing about my work is that I found the courage to express my inner world through creativity. For a long time, I kept many thoughts and emotions inside, and art became a way to finally let them exist outside of me. Through my work, I show how I see and feel this world, not just visually but emotionally. Sharing this with others feels very intimate, almost like opening a part of myself that is usually hidden. At the same time, I truly enjoy this feeling because it creates a real connection. It feels like a quiet but honest conversation with the world.
What is my idea of happiness? For me, happiness is a quiet feeling inside that is strongly connected to inner peace. It is not something loud or external, but something very personal and calm. I often express my emotions through painting, especially when I am trying to understand what I feel. This process helps me release something that I cannot always explain with words. After that, I feel lighter and more grounded. That state of calmness and clarity is probably what happiness means to me. It is a moment when everything inside feels aligned.
What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is losing myself. I am afraid of losing my inner voice and stopping to listen to it. I think this voice is what keeps me connected to life and to my creativity. When that connection disappears, everything starts to feel empty and distant. Even when life becomes difficult, I still feel a strong desire to experience it fully. I don’t want to lose that sense of being present and alive. That is why staying connected to myself is so important to me.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I tend to overthink, and it can make me feel anxious at times. I often analyze situations too deeply and imagine different outcomes, which creates unnecessary stress. This is something I don’t like about myself because it can hold me back. At the same time, I understand that this sensitivity is also connected to my creativity. It allows me to notice details and reflect more deeply on things. So even though it is challenging, it also plays a role in how I express myself. I am still learning how to find balance with it.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? There are so many inspiring artists, and it is difficult to choose just a few. I really admire Waone for his unique visual language and the depth of his work. His art feels very layered, and every time you look at it, you can discover something new. I also enjoy following Miss Ayu. Her work feels calm, thoughtful, and very personal, and I like how she combines visual art with her ideas. Both of them inspire me in different ways, especially in how they stay true to their voice.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Sometimes I get lost in thoughts about whether my work is really needed or if it matters at all. These doubts can appear suddenly and interrupt my process. It is not about the technical side of my work, but more about my mindset. I start questioning the value of what I create, even when I feel connected to it. This is probably the part I struggle with the most. I am learning to accept these thoughts without letting them control me. Over time, I try to focus more on the process rather than the outcome.
When and where was I the happiest in my work? I feel the happiest when I finish a painting and suddenly feel calm and light inside. It is a very quiet but strong moment, when I understand that something inside me has been expressed. I also feel this when a photograph turns out even better than I expected. It feels like I captured something that I didn’t fully see at first. I love seeing the final result, but I also deeply enjoy the process itself. The act of creating something from nothing feels almost unreal. It reminds me why I started doing this in the first place.
If I could, what would I change about myself? I would like to stop being afraid that I am doing something wrong in my life. This thought appears more often than I would like, and it creates unnecessary pressure. I would prefer to trust the process more and allow things to develop naturally. Sometimes I can feel this trust, but it is not always stable. I think learning to relax and accept uncertainty is something I still need to work on. I believe that this change would allow me to grow more freely.
What is my greatest achievement in work? My greatest achievement is that I started to show my work to the world. For a long time, I was afraid that nobody would need it or understand it. I was also afraid of judgment and rejection. Taking the step to share my art felt very vulnerable, but also very important. It marked a shift in how I see myself as an artist. My painting Souls in Transit became a symbol of this beginning. It represents the moment when I chose to be visible.
Where would I most like to live? I would love to live somewhere warm and close to the sea. I am from Ukraine, and I used to travel to Crimea every summer. That place always felt like home for my soul. It had a very special atmosphere that stayed with me. Because of the occupation, I haven’t been there for more than 10 years. This absence still feels painful and unresolved. I continue to search for a place that feels similar, but I haven’t found it yet.
What is my most treasured possession? My life itself is the most valuable thing I have. As long as I am alive, I have the ability to change things, to create, and to experience something new. I think we often forget how much potential there is simply in being alive. Even when things feel difficult, this understanding brings me back. It reminds me that I still have time and possibilities. That is something I truly value and try not to take for granted.
What is my most marked characteristic? No matter how difficult things become, I always find a way forward. I can doubt myself, overthink, and even complain sometimes, but I never fully give up. There is a part of me that keeps moving anyway. Deep inside, I trust life and I trust my intuition, even if I don’t always listen to it immediately. I think this inner resilience is something that defines me. It helps me continue even when things feel uncertain.
What is my most inspirational location in my city? In my hometown Chernihiv, there are many churches, and I always felt that the city is filled with a certain strength. There is something very powerful in its atmosphere, especially because of its history and the architecture that has been preserved. When I was younger, I used to draw these churches during my art classes, and they became a natural part of how I see forms. Recently, I also created a black and white photograph called Church from My Hometown. For me, this work is not only about architecture, but also about memory, roots, and the life I had there.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city? I enjoy many places in my hometown, and it is honestly difficult to choose just one. There are a lot of cozy cafés and small restaurants where you can feel comfortable. If you walk through the city center, you can almost enter any place and find something nice. For me, it is more about the atmosphere than a specific location. It is about feeling relaxed and present in that moment.
What books influenced my life and how? When I was around 14, I read Leonardo’s Brain, and it had a very strong influence on me. I was deeply inspired by the idea that one person can explore many different fields at the same time. Leonardo da Vinci became a symbol of creative freedom for me. He was not only an artist, but also a scientist, a thinker, and someone who was constantly curious. This changed the way I see creativity. It made me realize that I don’t have to choose only one path, and that is why I allow myself to work both in photography and in intuitive abstract painting.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I think I would choose to listen to the sounds of nature. I love music, and it is an important part of my life, but in that moment I would want something more real and present. Nature feels like the purest form of experience for me. I would want to hear the wind, the water, maybe the silence itself. It would help me feel fully connected to the moment. For me, that would be the most honest way to experience a last day.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? This is probably the most difficult question for me. I don’t usually read fiction, so I don’t feel a strong connection to fictional characters. I think I naturally look for inspiration in real life instead. Real stories feel more complex and unpredictable to me. Because of that, I don’t really have a specific hero or heroine in fiction.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? I believe that every person is a hero in their own way. Everyone is going through something, even if we don’t always see it. Of course, my family are my personal heroes, and they are very important to me. But at the same time, I think this is something universal. People build their lives, face challenges, and keep going. That alone already makes them strong.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? I would recommend Human by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. I have watched it many times, maybe around seven, and I could watch it again. It is a very powerful documentary that collects real stories from people all over the world. It makes you feel connected to humanity in a very deep way. It is emotional, honest, and sometimes difficult to watch, but that is exactly why it is so important.
What role play stories in my life and work? Stories are a huge source of inspiration for me. I find it incredible that every person carries a completely different experience of life. No matter how difficult or beautiful someone’s story is, there will always be people who understand it. This idea feels very powerful to me. Stories can connect people, but they can also create distance. In my work, I think I am also telling stories, just not in a direct way. They are more emotional and open to interpretation.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me? I have experienced very different feelings about this idea. Sometimes I feel that it is completely true, and that I have control over my life. Other times, it feels like everything is already decided and we are just moving through it. I am still trying to find a balance between these two perspectives. Maybe the truth is somewhere in between. I don’t think I will ever have a final answer, and I am okay with that.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My sister is my biggest support in life. We have always been very close, and she understands me in a way that is hard to explain. We also created a project together called Clavis Mentis. Our idea is to build a community where people feel safe to explore their creativity and express themselves freely. Together, we created imagination books that help people reconnect with their creativity, especially those who think they have lost it. We truly believe that creativity exists in everyone, it just needs to be rediscovered.
Which people or companies would I like to work with? One of my biggest dreams is to create a collaboration between Clavis Mentis and Pop Mart and Heytea. I really love the way Pop Mart works with artists and creates collectible figures, and I find their collaborations very inspiring. Their collaboration with Heytea especially caught my attention, and it made me think about how our ideas could exist in a similar space. We already have many concepts and ideas for how this could look and feel. Right now, it still feels a bit unreal, but it is definitely something I am dreaming about. At the same time, I would also love to collaborate with galleries in London and exhibit my paintings and photography there. For me, that would be an important step in my artistic journey.
What project am I looking forward to work on? I am currently continuing to work on my project Observed Abstraction. It is a photographic series that explores how nature creates abstract forms without intention or authorship. I focus on textures like tree bark, weathered surfaces, and organic patterns that reflect time, erosion, and growth. I don’t try to manipulate or stage the subject. Instead, I observe and respond to what is already there. This project connects my identity as both a photographer and an artist, and that is why it feels especially important to me.
Where can you see me or my work? Right now, I share my work on Saatchi Art website. I also post on Instagram: @studiovslv, where I focus more on my art, and @stvorenniv, which is more personal. Through these platforms, I am slowly building my presence and sharing my creative journey.
Portfolio: https://www.saatchiart.com/en-gb/studiovslv
Imagination Tools: https://clavismentis.gumroad.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stvorennia
Find More: https://linktr.ee/stvorennia
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? For me, passion is something that keeps us alive. When we lose that inner drive or curiosity, life starts to feel empty. Passion does not have an age, and it does not disappear unless we stop listening to it. I think it is something we need to protect and follow. It gives meaning to what we do and how we live.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? I would recommend my close friend Tayla Sax. I have known her since I was four years old, and I have seen her growth over the years. I have seen how much work, effort, and dedication she has put into her path. For me, she is a real example of persistence and passion. That is why I truly see her as a heroine.
How can you contact me? You can contact me via email: studiovslv@gmail.com. You can also reach me through my social media platforms,