Tsvetomir Iliev

My name is Tsvetomir Iliev. I am a self-taught artist
who explores the beauty in the combination of small pieces of fallen tree bark and acrylic paint.
My work captures the magic in the hidden complexity of nature. Take any small detail near a mountain pond and you will find a micro cosmos full of life, mystery and adventure - much like in the fairy-tales.
My inspiration mainly comes from hiking in the hills where I also collect the fallen tree bark.
The journey my paintings offer is one of rediscovery and celebration of life.
I glue and press the bark pieces together to create the base for the three dimensional composition. This produces a surface that is rich in detail and a very
gentle relief. Then I paint, carefully observing the curves, forms and shapes that appear on the bark like ghosts.
The result is a combination of my own imagination,
the imagination of the observer and nature’s own creativity, all captured in tree bark and colors.

Bio
Tsvetomir Iliev, born in Bulgaria in 1982, is an emerging artist whose work captures the beauty in the hidden complexity of nature. His fascination with art began by chance in 2010 when he first started experimenting with small pieces of fallen tree bark. He found it incredibly interesting with a great potential for composing three dimensional sculptures and paintings. Since then, through continuous exploration and persistent effort, art became his real passion.
A self-taught artist, he slowly made his first steps in the art world in the last few years and is now passionately exploring galleries, reading the history of art and learning new techniques. Tsvetomir has completed the course at The Working Artist online business school
for creative professionals.
His art has already inspired the curiosity of a few private collectors in Europe who now own some of his early works. His paintings have been displayed in various craft shops, small galleries and at open exhibitions, for example at the Seven Rila Lakes Hotel in Bulgaria. Two of his later paintings “Destiny” and “Ascension” were shortlisted for The Summer Exhibition 2014 at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK. In July 2015 the painting "Ascension" was awarded "Hon. Me...

2016 May - Colorful Balkan world art fair, Elena Bulgaria

2016 May - Sea Resonance
International group exhibition at Golden Sands sea resort, Bulgaria

2016 April-May - solo exhibition "Nature - source of life", The Art Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria

2016 January - Berlin Edition of Quardratfuss.
International group exhibition at NX², Berlin

2015 November- the painting "Sources life" is included in a group charity exhibition "50x50", for children with diabetes at European commission building, Sofia, Bulgaria

2015 September - solo exhibition "Nature - source of life", Rafael Mihailov exhibition halls, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

2015 July - the painting "Ascension" is awarded "Hon. Mention - 3 Dimansional Category" for Nature Art Competition at the Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery

2015 July - the painting "Sources life" is included in a group charity exhibition "50x50", for children with diabetes at Rafael Mihailov exhibition halls, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

2014 December - group exhibition at Petko U. Todorov gallery, Elena town, Bulgaria

2014 August - solo exhibition at hotel Rila lakes, Rila mountain, Bulgaria

2014 May - shortlisted works “Destiny” and “Ascension” for the Summer exhibition at Royal ...