Travelling by Internal Galleries

When a brilliant pianist, Tatiana Todorova, once took up the brush and paints, it was nothing more than a desperate attempt to get away from the cold dark colors of the day, in which she was living. Later, much later, came the recognition – solo exhibitions, both at home and abroad, loyal fans, admiring collectors, waiting to order her amazing pictures. But the interval between that “once upon a time” and the artist’s monotonous daily routine was a period that Tatiana did not want to talk about for a long time. Her work strongly interested all kinds of bioenergetics, all declaring that these drawings have healing powers. Todorova disregarded the esoteric implications, insisting that her paintings, if represent any value, then they are that of artistic.

Now history repeats itself, but in radically new circumstances. Artist Tatiana Todorova teaches others to find their harmony … with the help of brushes and paints. At the same time she continues to produce wonderful drawings that cannot be called other than guides to the mysteries of universal creation.

– Tatiana, your drawings were with watercolor, pastel and you did not dare to move onto oil. It happened, finally.

– It could be that I just decided to complicate my life …

– In my opinion, the exact mood of the works changed. If, for a few years you were producing art that could be called an internal exploration , then at present it has become the anthem of life itself, the divine manifestation of joy of being, absolute bliss.

– Previous years were that of pursuit for this “divine manifestations”, now arrived the time of its coming into existence, to experience the joy that I once eagerly anticipated in my works …

– About seven years ago, when we met after your exhibition in Strasbourg, you have categorically refused to talk about the close attention of healers or all kinds psycho-energetics to your works. Judging by what you are doing now, did everything go back to how it all started?

– Previously , when people, in a totally wild and ignorant categories, speculated that my paintings hold some sort of energies, I did not even want to talk about it. I only wished to move away from these notions and not relate my work with any sort of parapsychology. But as time moved forward, some changes occurred, some developments, including my own. But if, in the past they tried to explain how this or that picture “works”, now I, unaided, can explain everything.

– How did it happen that, you who always choses the art and its creation, especially as a state or as a process, suddenly decided to try to teach others?

– I was once offered to conduct a master-class as part of my exhibition. I am incredibly grateful for that. But frankly, back then I was puzzled from this idea: how am I going to teach adult people drawing who never held a brush in their hand?! But I gained experience quite surprisingly for that time. … by changing my whole perspective. They talked me into art therapy.

– Is it called this way?

– Meetings, pleasant new acquaintances, exchanges of information, experiences, emotions, relief from stress and false settings, through creativity, inspiration, as well as through the process of self-regulation or harmonization and the ability of improving themselves and their lives …. If all of this can be called “art therapy”, let it be called so.

– There are so many kinds of courses, workshops, psychological seminars, which, in theory, should make all conscious population feel more at ease. But the widespread happiness is not yet observed ….

– Our psychologists work with simulations, with programming of a situation. I call these crutches. Yes, it is easier to live with a crutch, but the ailment itself is not eliminated.

I have a radically different approach. I offer the thesis of unobstructed awareness and clarity in feelings. If you want to achieve a firm and lasting condition, you need to find the master’s attitude in relation to your life. This latter approach, in its turn, is achieved through the creative process. Drawing paintings, writing poems, the time of being in love, the moment of perceiving of something wonderful – what do all of these moments have in common? The answer is quite evident: a state of inner perceptual silence, harmonious tranquility and creative fulfillment. And this is already a distinct life. And this can be done not only by the selected few, it is available to everyone, if they so wish ….

– But, in my opinion, there is a specific problem: the people who come to you, do not know how to draw.

– Yes, they are not artists, but this does not matter. Anyone of us, without having any specific skills, one way or another, is able to portray something in a particular shape, or color. Anything can be illustrated through drawings. Through them, we express all sorts – and the beautiful, and the terrible, and the good, and the evil …

– Is it worth it? Maybe it’s better to ignore own darkness, thinking that we are shining and kind?

– No. People think that their words that they project on the surface, is the truth. Not only do they not open their dark pages, they convince themselves and insist that everything is in order. Verifying this is easy, if it really is in order. We must focus on own health.

– What about the currently popular, “thoughts form patterns”?

– Thoughts separately, the patterns too …. And life is developing in its own way. How? With energy or, simply said, by emotions, thoughts, attitudes, of which our reality is formed. And what could be more noble of all the suggested ways to us, than a way to discover our own truth in a creative state – in your own drawing? To know your fear, joy, desire, or pain … The palette of our passions is vast .

– All right, let say people draw themselves and their problems – does anything change?

– Of course. The attitude to oneself, to the reality. We live with the views of the world around about ourselves, we anticipate the label of “good” and get very saddened when they talk “bad” about us. And to understand yourself through yourself – is an extremely fascinating and honest activity.

What a joy to find a friend and a disciple within you, who certainly will not criticize, resent or conceal an insult … what a field of joy this internal partnership gives us! This is the first step on the path of self-love. We acquire the skills of inner freedom – and go beyond the borders of the format in which we exist, tortured and suffering. We go through the lessons of love. And love – in the first place is recognizing and accepting yourself. If I cannot accept myself, how can I recognize a boss or a neighbor?

– I know that there are many women in your classes. Aren’t men that interested?

– They are interested, of course, they just do not know about such activities. It is especially exciting to work with children. Here, my musical education came in handy: connecting the vibrations of color and sound, the child can easily create masterpieces, I’m just proud of all children ….

– Can we say that you came to terms with the imposed circumstances, once upon a time agreeing to the master-class?

– Not that I came to terms – I rather got excited. I felt uncomfortable of the idea that painting is an art of the extremely elite order, accessibility to and understanding of which is very limited. Well, it’s nice that there are art specialists who will be able to explain “everything” … And then I get such a great opportunity to nurture talent there, where there is the desire. A mere desire, and you do not need to get upset that you were not in the Louvre or the Prado – the gallery within us is no less a masterpiece and the journey along the inner galleries has cosmic levels, try it for yourself …

Inna Jeltova