ARTIST STATEMENT
In my work, I combine the graceful linework of the female figure with bold brushstrokes, vivid colors, and the organic shapes of nature to create a balanced harmony. Inspired by Art Nouveau, the beauty of orchids, and the romantic whisper of trees, I paint dreams—an imaginary world where feminine beauty is veiled in a mist of nature, gradually revealing its soft power. I paint in oil using a signature style I call “Imaginary Expressionism.” My creative process allows nature and imaginary female forms to live together on the canvas. I use symbolic signs to emphasize the deep connection between womanhood and the natural world, radiating a quiet, peaceful energy. Ultimately, my canvas is a vibrant, welcoming space where viewers can pause for a moment, connecting with their own emotions to find a healing sanctuary for the soul.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Mila Ryk is a Chicago-based contemporary artist and a third-generation painter born in Ukraine. Her lifelong passion for art originally led to a twenty-year career as a graphic designer, art director, and publisher. After moving to the United States and settling in Chicago, she established herself in the publishing world, founding Art & Beyond Magazine Online in 2009 to promote independent artists globally. It was a challenging yet rewarding path to learn a new way of living and build a business from the ground up. Today, Mila dedicates herself entirely to fine art, focusing her time on her studio practice. Her paintings speak of soft power, emotional intelligence, and inner associations. Through her unique style of Imaginary Expressionism, she is deeply grateful for the freedom to express her worldview, throwing her dreams, feelings, and intuition onto the canvas using oil paints.
© Mila Ryk