Designer and artist Ala Park was born and raised in the Republic of Moldova, an Eastern European country sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine where she has owned a design firm, and successfully ran all aspects of clients’ needs. Her artistic endeavors are inspired by “challenges and an interest in all things new.” She now resides in the mountains of Boulder, with a custom art studio and sewing workshop where she designs and creates her art.
Source: https://www.alaparkdesign.com/about
I.F: What inspired you to use fish bones in your painting art?
Ala Park: I have to confess that I have always been attracted to new, unusual and unique things.
During my school years, at the age of 16, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia, and its museums. Then I visited the famous Hermitage Museum where, among the works of art of the great plastic artists from all over the world, I also encountered the exhibition of a contemporary Russian plastic artist, (unfortunately I don’t remember his name). His works were executed from different types of vegetable fluff, applied to black velvet. It was the discovery that impressed me a lot, marked me and motivated me for the rest of my life. It motivated me to go and study art, to create something new, different, something that represents me. With her began the search for self, the search for my Self.
I.F: What is the reaction of the visitors when they see the novelties of paintings with bones?
Ala Park: A question I get quite often. The truth is that the reactions and emotions of visitors, art admirers are very different. They are impressed, but the first and most common reaction is the curiosity to understand, what is the medium used to create these works and how they were executed. The fact that the works are made of natural fish bones, makes their curiosity to be replaced by a short state of amazement, surprise, bewilderment. It is hard for them to understand that such a thing is possible.
I.F: How did you discover and start working with encaustic painting?
Ala Park: Encaustic painting, which is also known as melted wax painting, is a genre of art that is rarely practiced by visual artists. Maybe because melted wax is not easy to handle. Painting is somehow more difficult, and the result is often unpredictable. I discovered my love for this art about 3 decades ago, while working as an interior designer in my native country, the Republic of Moldova. It started with the receipt of a set of wax and supplies necessary for this type of art, brought from Holland by a close friend, to whom I am very grateful.
I would like to make a remark. Both fishbone works and encaustic painting are mediums that inadvertently give you the opportunity to create unique works. Both constitute a process of continuous improvisation, creativity and self-discovery.
I.F: How did you manage to establish your own design firm and how has it evolved over time?
Ala Park: I have been interested in interior design since my school years, when together with my sisters I tried to make different changes in my parents’ house, or my grandparents’ house, or in the middle school studies classes in Ghindesti where I studied.
The idea to create a personal business in this sense came in 1999 after I executed the design of my first public place. This was a company store of the “Carmez” meat factory in the center of Chisinau, which still exists today.
I.F: What led you to specialize in interior design and fashion?
Ala Park: I have always been attracted and impressed by unique things, by people with character and personality. Maybe because I grew up and was educated in a Soviet system, the idealistic goal of which was “urovnilovka” (equality/at the same level/the same) in all aspects, and here I mean education, thinking, salaries, standard of living, style, etc. This certainly affected the architecture and clothing of that period. Any idea out of the ordinary was not welcomed. Many of those who had non-standard thinking, feeling intimidated and suffocated by the system, tried to flee the country to obtain their individual freedom. During my school years, I was lucky enough to wear mostly clothes of my own design, sewn by my mother, or even by myself. Even then I understood the value of personalized clothing design, based on shapes, colors and patterns, which flatters the body and skin tone, which highlights the character, offering physical and psychological comfort. Already then I got the taste of individuality.
At the same time, I also grew up with my father’s engineering inventions, through which dance tried to facilitate various household chores, both inside and outside, not to mention the frequent replanning and renovations in which I was involved.
Both interior and fashion design are creative fields where you have a wide field for implementing new ideas. I think you will agree that both people and places are very different, in terms of shape, character and preferences.
These criteria give free rein to creativity. All of them help the artist not to become repetitive in his projects, and always keep him in a state of creative challenge and professional rebirth. I truly believe that we are reborn through the change within us, through what we create and through the change we bring to this world.
I.F: What are some of your major projects for which you were awarded and how did they influence your career?
Ala Park: I don’t know if I can tell any difference between my projects. It is difficult for me to mention which of them is more significant. They are all absolutely different and incomparable whether we are talking about interior design, fashion or paintings. I put a lot of soul and dedication into everything.
I think I should also mention the fact that I have never aimed for popularity and I have not personally applied for specialized competitions. I just created and lived each work. Success and awards came naturally through my clients’ participation in various competitive events. They include the restaurants “Bachus Dava”, “Curtea vănătorului”, the exhibition stands of domestic producers from Moldova such as: “Harvit Pro”, Cvasdrivita”, “Carmez”, “Azamet” participating in the exhibitions within the International Exhibition Center “ModExpo ” from Chisinau, Moldova.
I.F: How did you manage to develop your own custom art studio and sewing workshop?
Ala Park: Certain life circumstances have set certain limits in my work as an interior designer. The given situation motivated me to sew, paint and model. The need for a studio arose while I was already living in the US. In the USA, the studio for an artist is not just a creative workshop as it was received in the former USSR. Here the studio can also be a place of study where the plastic artist can share his artistic mastery, but also a place of exhibition and sale of his art creations. The restrictions related to COVID, the “Home State” regime favored its reconstruction and expansion.
I.F: What are the main challenges you have faced in your career as an artist and designer? When did you arrive in the USA and how did you adapt to life in Colorado, after growing up and studying in the Republic of Moldova?
Ala Park: I think the biggest challenge for me in my career as a designer was projects that were intended to be unstylish. Fortunately for me, they were not many and I had the freedom to refuse them. I arrived in Colorado in December 2011. My adaptation here began actively to be able to adjust the difference, the existence of which we cannot deny. Shortly after I came to the States, I enrolled at the private international university – Colorado Heights University in Denver, where outside of study hours I worked as a librarian and also led the “Dreamers Ink” art club of the university. There I met many interesting people both among students and teachers. The knowledge and experience I gained during that period helped me a lot in the future.
I.F: What advice do you have for young artists and designers who want to follow their passion in art and design?
Ala Park: I don’t know if I have the right to give advice. I think, however, that respecting yourself, preserving your individuality and expressiveness are important qualities to cultivate in yourself, regardless of the field in which you work.
I.F: How do you manage your time between working in the studio, the sewing workshop and other professional responsibilities?
Ala Park: I think it’s a very delicate question. Time management for a creator is always a problem… The life of any artist is closely dependent on inspiration and creativity that are not programmable, giving it a touch of pleasant chaos. In this sense, I have the suspicion that the expression “free artist” comes specifically from here, even if it is more often used to express the artist’s freedom of expression.
I.F: What motivates you to keep exploring and experimenting in your art and design?
Alla Park: My addiction to challenges (to challenge and be challenged), curiosity, but also competition with myself have served as the driving force throughout the years in my creative activity.
I.F: How did you manage to build a name for yourself in the art and design industry?
Ala Park: I don’t think I can give you any exciting expositions in this regard. I don’t even think I’m a good bricklayer. Rather, I am a big dreamer who tried to turn his dreams into reality, and who in time got a name.
I.F: What are some of the most memorable pieces of art you’ve created and why are they special to you?
Ala Park: I think it’s one of the most difficult questions for me, because as I said before, each work is individual and unique. Each work is the result of a total dedication, lived with body and soul.
I.F: How have you adapted to changes and trends in the art and design industry over the years?
Ala Park: It’s a current and relevant question, but not for me. To answer it, it would be good to answer first of all who are those who create these trends, in order to understand whether we must, want or not to follow them. To my happiness, I don’t work for someone, to follow certain imposed rules. I was and remain a free artist who takes into account everyone’s wishes and individuality, including mine.
Unfortunately, I am not the person who tries to adapt to all the trends of the time. I am the person who tries to adapt to a concrete situation, to the need of a concrete person, but within the admissible limit of my principles and individuality.
I.F: What makes you feel fulfilled as an artist and designer?
Ala Park: The satisfaction of my clients and art admirers. They are the true price and reward for my work and dedication.
I.F: What are your future plans regarding your art and design career?
Ala Park: To keep my individuality. To seek and face new challenges. The rest comes naturally. I aim to contribute more to the life of the communities in which I live, not only artistically.
I.F: Soon you will participate with your creations at an important art gallery in Colorado where an art association is celebrating 100 years. Can you give us some details and information?
Ala Park: True. It’s about the Boulder Art Association that I’m a part of and this year will mark its 100th anniversary. The celebration will be done by organizing multiple events throughout the year. This already started in September with two art exhibitions of the members of the association, “Fall 2023” and “BAA Member Art Show” at the R-Galery in Boulder, to which I also applied. Both exhibitions are juried. Only works that have passed the preselection are admitted to the competition. Here I could mention the fact that my bone work “Dreams & Wings”/”Vise si aripi” was awarded with the 3rd place. It is the second award of these works. The first prize was obtained at an exhibition at the Center for the Arts in Evergreen, Colorado.
I.F: How do you find your inspiration for new projects and creations?
Ala Park: I don’t remember ever looking for the inspiration for my works to find it. This comes naturally through the appearance of images in my dreams with my eyes closed or open, rejected from shapes, textures, colors, lights, desires, etc.
Interview conducted by Ileana Fofuca
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