FOCUS Painting Painting

My name is Ildze Balcere. I am an independent, full-time thread Painter and embroidery Artist based in Latvia, Europe. I graduated School of Art in my country. I've always been in art and art has been in me. Art is my drug and only art saves my nerves.... and chocolate. I’m a hard-working artist because I can't imagine my life without creating art. I haven't mastered textile, but my Granny has put all the grounds for embroidering in me. I'm so grateful to her because nearly all of my work has been created in the cross-stitch technique. Embroidering makes my heart sing. This is one of the juiciest things I can do. Just let my imagination out, free of feeling held back from doing what I love. My works are embroidered ... and that's the main feature that sets them apart. They have a lot of gold and colors that make them rich and luxurious, but I also like the black and white palette. My art is dynamic, noticeable, and different. I am fascinated by the beauty of women. It inspires me. That's why almost all of my artwork depicts women. I like to watch people react to my work. Whether it's a breath, a long break, or even tears in your eyes ... these are moments that transcend and go further. I know the line where I found "my thing", the thing that addresses me and makes me happiest. For me, art means an exciting and unpredictable activity. Art is painfully similar to life with its incomprehensible appeal and often elusive meaning... My goal is to break stereotypes about sewing as handmade. I hope that my artwork will create an embroidery-like impression of a painting! Prejudice in the art world has to die. Art is art no matter what it is made of or on which it is placed!