Anna Salenko, LIveWithArt, “Be inspired by yourself and be an inspiration to others”

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID19 times?

Of course, like everyone, we sincerely worry about the situation. But it is worth remembering that we can not influence this situation in any way. Therefore, we try to influence only what is really in our power. And in our power to surround the care of our loved ones. We began to be more careful and attentive to each other: we keep in touch at a distance. We help each other than we can. As I’m living in Hong Kong and my Family in Russia.

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded or joined this company.

I’m Anna. I’m currently based in Hong Kong where I continue working on my project LIveWithArt. The project I started to share my knowledge and experience with everyone interested in art.

⭐️ I studied at a school of classical art in Russia and then continued to improve my skills in Italy. The degree in Fashion and the courses of Brera Art Academy helped me to enrich my knowledge and the set of practical skills.

⭐️ Like any other passionate artist, I wanted to define and shape my own style. When working with palette-knives for the first time, I realized that that was the thing I was looking for.

⭐️ In 2013, I moved to China. I was often asked to share my knowledge and experience as an artist. Therefore, I opened a school of art in China offering private lessons and courses for groups of kids.

Two years later, the number of courses offered at the school expanded to 9, including cooling, fitness, ballet, music and art lessons.

Looking back on that period of my life, I can honestly say that the teaching experience I got was invaluable.

⭐️ In 2019, I decided to return to my greatest passion (which is art) and start developing my career as an artist. During that year, I collaborated with Carred’Artistes galleries in Hong Kong and France, published my first book called “First steps to palette-knife painting” and carried out several personal exhibitions.

I also created a LiveWithArt project to share my experiences with everyone interested in the fascinating world of art.

I created the project to share my experience as an artist with other people. I’ve been practicing and honing my skills for 10 years. By creating various artworks and illustrations, I invite everyone interested in art to open the door to this fascinating world.

Every project I work on is based on the principle of a personal approach and results in the creation of a masterpiece full of PASSION, COLOR, JOY and LIFE.

How does your company innovate? 

The general idea is to share my experience with all the interested people, adults and kids.

Private tutoring allows students to easily adjust to the individual priorities and needs of a student discovering the world of ART.

I believe that personal approach based on the level and interests of every individual student is key to a productive teaching process.

How the coronavirus pandemic affects your business and how are you coping?

Like other artists, I faced the problem that the need for art and beauty took the last place in the society nowadays. After I stopped my usual daily routines, I began to realise how much empty space I have now and how should I fill it.  It took me more than a few months to realise that I need to change all my life in terms of surviving.

And I found things, that helped me :

– Discard the old experiences and old day routines;

– Explore my inner needs and desires;

– Understand what I can really do for society now.

And only after that, after I have discarded all unnecessary things, I began to take small steps everyday for my new life.

Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?

Yes. In my opinion, life is a state of constant decision making. Sometimes they come down to a simple choice between tea and coffee. And sometimes I feel that my choice can decide my whole destiny. It’s scary to be afraid to make a mistake. Especially when you know the price of an error. But I still learned one lesson. And it sounds like advice for beginners – just get started. Do not waste time thinking too much.

How do you deal with stress and anxiety, how do you project yourself and your company in the future?

I try to ignore negative thoughts. Drawing helps me a lot in this. I think I can give great advice to everyone who is stressed. Draw. As you can, draw with me, or alone with yourself. Just do not surrender to negative thoughts. And LiveWithArt will help you with this.

In the future, I will present my company as very useful and popular. I really want to be useful to people, to help them reveal themselves, to develop their creative potential. For example, some person asked another – you know how to draw a castle and got an answer – ask LiveWithArt a resource that does not raise doubts about its professionalism

Who are your competitors? And how do you plan to stay in the game?

Some big companies and teachers who also provide lessons.

I really want to believe that my product, my company is unique in its own way. I think there are people who are impressed by my drawing style, my teaching methods and my artworks – these people will choose me and will stay with me. I hope and I try my best to meet their expectations.

Your final thoughts.

Always believe in yourself. And listen to yourself. Do what you really like. Enjoy your activities. Be inspired by yourself and be an inspiration to others. Leave your bright mark on this world. And the money will come. I’m sure.

Your website 

www.live-with-art.com