Meet Ekaterina Popova | Artist, Creative Entrepreneur and Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ekaterina Popova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ekaterina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always been a creative person, but it was during high school that I realized there was nothing I wanted to pursue more than art. I considered various career paths and even contemplated going to graduate school for art therapy because of my love for helping others. However, this was around the time of the financial crisis, and I couldn’t afford it. Instead, I explored opportunities in galleries and museums, but I ended up working in various entry-level positions, including retail and even banking. None of these jobs brought me satisfaction, and after several years, I had an inner urge to create my own dream job because it simply didn’t exist.

Through a journey filled with rejection and failure, as well as struggling to find my place in the workforce, I eventually conceived the idea of starting an art magazine to support my community. I craved visibility and connection, and I became passionate about assisting others in their creative endeavors. A few years later, I learned how to build an online business while simultaneously gaining expertise in marketing and selling my artwork online.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an expressive painter primarily focused on capturing the concepts of home and belonging through my oil paintings of interiors and nature. While I have always been involved in art, it was during my college years that I began to explore my identity as an immigrant and developed a profound passion for oil painting. It took me several years of experimentation to discover my artistic voice. A few years after completing art school, through perseverance and a strong commitment to my dream of becoming an artist, I began to gain some traction by using the internet as a platform to market and sell my artwork.

My most significant challenge was the lack of visibility and connections within the art world. I had to build my audience and collectors from scratch. My hope is that my work evokes feelings of safety and coziness while reminding people of the beauty found in our everyday living spaces and homes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Delaware, and my studio is located in Philadelphia. If a friend were to visit, we would embark on an enjoyable day exploring Philadelphia and its cultural attractions. Our itinerary might include a visit to the renowned Art Museum and the Barnes Foundation to immerse ourselves in the world of art. Following our art-filled excursion, we’d treat ourselves to a delightful lunch at a local cafe, savoring the flavors of the city.

To make the day even more special, we would then take a scenic drive to the Brandywine River Valley. Here, we would have the opportunity to explore Longwood Gardens, soak in the natural beauty of the Brandywine Art Museum, and wrap up our day at the Four Dogs Tavern during the warm summer months, where we could enjoy a meal in the company of our furry friends. It would be a memorable and enriching experience for our visit to the area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am grateful for my friend and collaborator Alicia Puig who stuck with me through the beginning stages and continues to support me and work with me. We co-founded PxP Contemporary and wrote two books together.

Website: www.katerinapopova.com

Instagram: @katerinaspopova

Image Credits
Headshot Photos by Helena Raju Artwork by Ekaterina Popova