For some, making art is more of a calling than a decision. For Dinara Mirtalipova, the realization she needed to paint came as a sort of epiphany. “Only after I grew up and graduated from the field of computer science, I realized I couldn’t stop painting,” she shared with the Sak.
And much to her surprise, other people took notice of her work. “To my surprise, I began receiving commissions to draw and design for people and companies,” she says. “And after my client list grew I decided it was time to concentrate on art professionally.”
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she’s now based in Ohio, but her paintings still echo her cultural landscapes. Known for her distinct folky patterns, her illustrations feature details like flowers, animals, and hand lettering found in Uzbek and Russian folklore.
“Art communicates emotions,” says Mirtalipova, “it can tell stories and paint a mood. I feel my art has a sense of nostalgia, it’s folkloric and musical. When I paint my stories, I like them to communicate positive energy, to be bright and colorful, to bring joy and to spread joy.” Her art, as it turns out also communicates personal memories and collective folklore. Here are some recent projects by her:
