The Artist’s Way

Kateryna Vodolazka

Mixed Media

70 x 90 cm

The Artist’s Way is a deeply personal and thought-provoking work that captures the complexity of identity, displacement, and the struggle for self-definition as an artist. This painting not only reflects my journey as a creator but also speaks to broader themes of national identity, cultural belonging, and the pursuit of a global artistic voice in a world where borders, both literal and figurative, shape our lives. The inspiration for this piece came from an unlikely yet meaningful source—The Sims, a game that has been my companion during the most challenging moments of my life. In the game, I created a character who mirrors my own aspirations, a person starting out on the path of becoming an artist. This character painted, sold artworks, went to art school, and followed the very steps I myself am taking now. Yet, as I played, I was struck by how easy and straightforward it all seemed in the game, compared to the complexities of real life. In the game, there is no cultural or national baggage—no need to define oneself based on where one comes from or where one belongs. This stark contrast between the simplicity of the virtual world and the intricate, context-heavy reality of being an artist in real life inspired me to bring this reflection to the canvas. At the heart of this painting is the question of identity. I’ve lived in Czechia for six years, pursuing an education and slowly building my career. Yet, I still carry the weight of my Ukrainian heritage, which remains an inseparable part of my story. In the art course I’m currently taking, I am the only foreigner, navigating a system that is not entirely mine. While I strive to integrate into the Czech art scene, I can’t help but feel that I am an outsider. But when I think about Ukraine, a country that gave me my background, I also feel disconnected. This painting explores this tension. The central figure is based on screenshots I took of my Sims character, which I transformed to represent myself. The middle square is a depiction of my childhood home in Donetsk—a red brick house, surrounded by familiar yet distant memories. The house is accompanied by specific details: my old bedroom with its poorly chosen pink walls, a lion statue my father always dreamed of placing on our fence but never did, and the silhouette of my grandfather, who remains a part of my world despite the years of separation caused by the war. These elements represent the ‘default settings’ of my life—the memories and cultural symbols that unconsciously influence my art every day. The title of the piece, Umelcova cesta, plays with the word "artist" across the languages I speak. Am I a Czech umelec, a Ukrainian митець, or simply a painter—a global artist? This ambiguity is central to the painting and mirrors the complexity of contemporary identity in a world where we can live and create across borders, but never entirely escape the cultural contexts we come from. This piece is valuable not just because of its technical execution or its aesthetic appeal, but because it opens up a dialogue about what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. It invites viewers to question their own notions of identity and belonging and reflects the universal human experience of navigating cultural, national, and personal boundaries. For collectors and art investors, "Umelcova cesta" represents a timely and relevant exploration of the artist’s role in a globalized world, making it a compelling addition to any collection. Its story speaks not only to my personal journey but to anyone who has ever wrestled with the question: Where do I belong?