The art of literary passion: An Interview with Natalia Titova

Natalia Titova
Natalia Titova

Natalia Titova is a young digital artist specializing in concept art, character design, and digital collages. Blending various techniques, she crafts visually captivating compositions that seamlessly merge elements from different sources. With a keen eye for modern aesthetics, she gravitates towards minimalist art, infusing her work with sleek simplicity and contemporary flair. Through her unique approach, she invites viewers into a world where traditional boundaries dissolve, offering a fresh perspective on digital artistry. Titova's talent has been recognized internationally; she was selected for the London International Creative Competition in 2023 and has exhibited her work in the online exhibit N O R T H S I D E by Aedra Fine Arts.

In this exclusive interview, we explore the intricacies of Natalia Titova's artistic process, uncover the sources of her inspiration, and examine the captivating fusion of literature and visual arts that defines her work.

Can you share with us the journey that led you to become a digital artist? What inspired you to pursue this particular medium?

I consider myself a young artist and began my journey just a few years ago. Before that, I suppressed my childhood dream of art despite the urge to express my thoughts through it. When I realised I couldn’t ignore this significant aspect of myself, I decided to pursue digital art. For me, digital art is a field without any restrictions. You can combine different styles and techniques, expressing your unique 'hand' in any way you choose. And, of course, your canvas is borderless.

Your work blends literature and digital art in a unique way. What first sparked your interest in combining these two disciplines?
 
That’s right, one of my main themes in my work is literature. Books are my second passion; I try to read every free minute in my life. For me, literature is a huge source of inspiration. Someone needs to look at the landscapes outside the window to create, and I need to look at the book. It is incredibly interesting for me to explore books, both as a reader and as an artist. On the one hand, I enjoy exploring books for their content, but on the other hand, I also enjoy expressing my impressions and emotions about the author's work through my own creative process. I want to try to capture the details and meaning of the book in my artwork.

Could you tell us about your creative process? How do you transition from a literary piece to a digital collage?

It happens differently; sometimes after finishing a book, I feel the need to tell the story immediately and start creating. In other cases, I just sit in front of my 'digital canvas' and ask myself whose story I want to tell today, and it just happens. The same differences apply to timelines; some collages are born very fast, but some of them demand time.
 
How do you select which writers to feature in your work?

This is the simplest question. I want to convey the ideas of only those authors whose universes resonate with me, with whom I have complete mutual understanding. You know, when you read and suddenly you claim "I’ve got it!".

Can you discuss the symbolism and imagery used in your collages? For example, how do you decide what elements to incorporate into a piece like COLLAGE.DICKENS or COLLAGE.GOGOL?


It is the most interesting process to me, because choosing each element is a crucial moment, and when you prefer a minimalist style, you need to be very selective in your choices. In my works, I try to convey not only the general ideas but also hidden meanings and subtexts. For example, in a collage which is dedicated to Dickens, I tried to convey his study of human destinies through the prism of the road. The road, as an important element, appears in many of his books. In my collage, I chose to depict the study of the road through a magnifying glass aimed at the wheel of the stroller. Or another example: in a Gogol collage, I added one of his book’s characters—a nose, who is a figure on the chess board, and the author stares at him intently, as if he were a representative of our society, where we are chess pieces in the game of life.
Are there any new literary figures or themes you are particularly excited to explore in your future works?

Right now, I am pondering creating a series of collages dedicated to female writers. I want to tell stories about, for example, Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath. These will be different pieces with varying emotions, but I will try to capture the power of their art. I would like to delve into the Victorian classics, particularly the works of the Brontë sisters. Though their literature often evokes familiar images, I aim to uncover deeper layers and present them in a fresh, intriguing light.

How do you see your style and techniques evolving over the next few years? Are there any new technologies or artistic trends you are eager to incorporate into your practice?

I don't want to artificially anticipate any particular development, but I would like to complicate my stories over time, adding more layers so that they are not easy to "read".

What upcoming projects or exhibitions can we look forward to from you? Are there any collaborations or new directions you are pursuing?

Right now, I'm in the midst of discussing a literary-art show, but it may take a while, so unfortunately, I can't reveal any details just yet.

Who are your biggest artistic influences, and how have they shaped your work?

I won’t tell any particular names, but say that I like to see my colleagues in collage art. There are many young artists in this field, and it's a great pleasure for me to observe their work and learn from their techniques, study the details they choose.

Are there specific literary works that have been particularly influential or inspirational in your art? Could you share some examples and explain how they have impacted your work?

I would say that a whole array of my favorite classic authors has deeply influenced me. I enjoy choosing challenging books that can puzzle me and make me return to them from time to time. For example, "Dead souls" by Nikolai Gogol is a bright representative of such books.The author created an incredible picture of the cross section of the society of that time, and how can it be interesting and important to capture the essence of the picture beyond time and beyond space.

Is there a particular collage that holds special significance to you? If so, why?

I don’t want to choose one of them, because every time I delve into the author's worlds completely. For example, right now I am trying to convey Mikhail Bulgakov’s universe. He is one of my favorite authors and, though it may sound strange, it is harder for me to "work" with my most favorite writers. I would say it is more personal and even intimate for me because their impact is so significant in my life.

What advice would you give to young artists who are interested in blending literature and visual art in their own practices?

I would say: dive into literature across genres and time periods. Explore fiction, poetry, essays, and more to gain inspiration and insights into different writing styles, themes, and narrative techniques. Don't be afraid to experiment with different mediums, styles, and approaches. Try combining text and imagery in various ways to see what resonates with you and effectively communicates your ideas. Keep exploring and experimenting! The fusion of literature and visual art offers endless possibilities. Follow your passion and keep creating!