With nearly 30K followers on Instagram Yana Potter is one of these new wave glitter artists, one of the Insta age and it’s fair to say she’s become somewhat of a digi art sensation
Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about yourself and how did you started your career and did you always wanted to become an artist?
So, my name is Yana Potter. I’m a Glitter Artist from Russia. As far back as I can remember, I was always interested in visual art. There was a moment when I was thoroughly studying painting, painting pictures using acryl and oil. I have a number of works I am really proud of. Besides, during the last 8 years, I have been professionally practicing photography, studying Photoshop. Thus, contemporary art – I mean digital technologies, photo processing software – gradually superseded my desire to paint pictures and I thoroughly got down to study photo processing software. I can’t say I had a purpose to become an artist, I rather accumulated enough experience to start creating something that is my own and first of all to find myself and to start express myself. For a long time, I was searching myself, in all senses. And finally, there is a moment when I can definitely say that visual art is exactly that thing I’m ready to devote my life to.
From where do you get your inspiration?
I travel a lot. Wherever I would come, I first of all try to visit several art museums or art galleries in this country. For me, a trip to another country and submersion into a new culture and language is like a breath of fresh air every time. By the way, an idea to practice Glitter Art came to me during one of such trips. I was in Czech Republic that moment, and Prague became a start point for me as for Glitter Artist. I also derive inspiration from music. During the last year, I’ve been listening to Ludovico Einaudi albums almost continuously. To my mind, classic music together with visual art literally breathe a life into this world.
Is there an artist you look up to?
Initially, I looked for artists who create something similar. I was interested in a technique of so-called Glitter Art creating. I watched videos in the internet, studies everything connected with graphic design, collaging. Some time passed, and now I listen to myself only, to my intuition, to my mood. Now I just have no time to study activities of other artist in similar style.
Describe a typical day in your life at work?
I usually start my day with a cup of strong coffee and answering emails. It’s like a ritual: I open my mail and always answer all letters, no matter if it is a letter from a fan of my art or proposal of collaboration. Then I proceed to work at my orders. I try to spend not more than 5 hours per day for commercial orders. The rest of my time is devoted to creativity. I look through my old works, rework and update them. I look for new photos for processing. I make content plan. I constantly improve my skills. I study new processing techniques.
How long do you usually need for one picture?
Each photo is a new project. I make a sketch in a special software, then I need about an hour to check for sure if my technique will fit this photo or not. So, everything is very individually for every separate case. I sometimes need one hour to complete work, sometimes – two days to make corrections or I put it on the back burner and it can take up to two weeks. Therefore, I don’t like when a client hurries me and wants to get his glitter picture quicker. But I still try to complete commercial orders within agreed deadline – from 1 to 3 days.
What’s one motto you live by?
To live leaving a trail I would like to follow by myself.
What about the sport of polo, how do you see it and have you been to some polo matches before?
I have friends who are seriously interested in this kind of sport. I have never been to matches before, but I hope I would be able to rectify it soon. The only thing I can say is that polo is not just a game, it’s a lifestyle.
Instagram account @yana.potter.art
One of the first glitter artists who started adding sparkles to photos were Sara Shakeel in 2016.
She inspired many people to follow her footsteps and becoming a crystal artist.
