On her blog, she showcases her three projects: Hotel, places and glimpses; Better Here, water, skies and shadows; Stuck to me, moments of colour. Plus, a collection of shoots taken between 2013 and 2014. Lots of shades. Lots of brightness. Lots of art. We introduce you to Mon Levcenkova’s VLVELVET: ambiguous, clean, simple.
I think trying to define when my passion started is impossible. I guess I can say that I've tried other forms of creative outlets but I was never really good at any of those, or enjoyed any of those - apart from photography, of course. As far as talent goes, I don’t feel that way. It’s nice to hear that other people might feel that way about my work, but I like to focus on other things.
I thought it was about time. As always, I have hundreds of photographs that are waiting to be used. Sometimes with projects like Stuck To Me, I’ll capitalise on what I’ve been feeling and turn it into a project. I feel like photographers aren’t very good at organising their work, especially when it comes to finalising projects. It can take me anything from a week to a couple of months.
I’ve been asked this question a lot recently, actually. I’m always stuck for words when this happens – it’s like a slap in the face that makes me think I should be ambitious and have a thousand goals. Right now, I’m comfortable with where I am with my work. I’ve started a project this month that I’ve put a lot of thought into. I’m really pleased with it so far and I hope people like it. That’s it for now.
If I’m shooting and listening to music, it makes me very curious and excitable. When that is the case, I will often try to experiment with light, reflection and colour. At other times, I’ll be dissociating. When that happens, there isn’t much feeling behind my photos at all – I’ll be looking at everything as objectively as I can. You could probably see me scanning my environment for clusters of colour or things that look out of place.
I love reading, especially anything by Sartre. The way he writes - especially in Nausea - is beautiful. That book is an inspiring work of art. As it remains, most of my photographs have a hidden message behind them. However, those messages are personal and I hope that people find their own in them.
A person who would let me into his/her life to photograph absolutely everything.
My first camera was probably something like a tatty disposable in the 90s when I was still a kid. However, my first memorable camera was a Canon AE-1. Right now I’m using that along with a Olympus XA-2, a Polaroid, Canon 5D mk 2 and a 7D.
Aren’t dreams vivid and intense?!
Not at all. I’m not a big fan of postproduction at all! And why would I be? When you’re shooting, you’re in a place that you find inspiring and beautiful enough to take photos in. I’d rather be shooting than sitting in front my computer.
I’ve had a few opportunities to but I’ve never taken them.
Anyone who knows me won’t be surprised to find out that one of my most obvious inspirations is William Eggleston. I also love Juergen Teller, Brian Vu, Susannah van der Zaag, Tyler Sueda, Garrett Lockhart and Nickolay Dyadechko. As far as artistic movements go… I don’t belong to any and I plan to keep it that way for now!
I’d love collaborate with anyone who’s been a part of outsider art projects. I think it would be amazing.
Ambiguous. Clean. Simple.
