Interview: Krom Bagelsky

Preferred Pronoun?
he/him

Why did you choose to enter this work?
Rings of Time is the most challenging work I have done to date.

What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
That I finished it! So many people told me it was impossible, that I should give up. But I kept working, and the hard work paid off. It was definitely a labour of love.

What excites you most about being shortlisted?
That the Bulgarian culture celebrated in the monument can reach a wider audience, and even that some people might be curious to learn more about the different periods featured on the chimney.

Where do you usually work?
Usually I paint outdoor murals. I love travelling from place to place for different projects. When the mural season finishes I like to feel cosy in my studio where I draw or paint canvases.

How long did it take to complete your project?
Rings of Time was a long term project with 5 painting sessions of (one for each ring) held over three years. It was completed in autumn 2022.

What is your dream commission?
A mural with hundreds of figures. I would really enjoy the compositional challenge.

What’s your favourite thing to draw?
The human figure and its endless variations, and the wild animals I encounter in the forest.

What is your best tip for other illustrators?
A mural is more than a surface in 3D space, it also 'lives' in social space. Taking some time to get to know the people where you're painting really enriches both the experience and the finished work.

What are your plans for the future?
I am currently working on some historical murals, and planning projects celebrating biodiversity.


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