Dreamer

Hello everyone.

This is the shortest post I just want to share with you my latest painting. This is the first piece from my “Dreamer” painting collection.Here’s why I decided to work on this painting collection.

Dreaming is a vital part of the human experience, fueling creativity, growth, emotional health, societal progress, and personal resilience. It reminds us that, regardless of age, there is always potential for change, improvement, and the realization of our aspirations.

Thank you for your time


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Adobe FIrefly Book

I am thrilled to announce my new book: “100+ Prompts to Ignite Your Everyday Creativity!” Delve into handpicked prompts crafted to spark your daily creativity with Adobe Firefly. Let your imagination soar like never before! 

In a digital age marked by unprecedented technological advancements, Generative AI stands as a paragon of innovation. At the heart of this phenomenon is the art and science of prompting — the process of feeding specific cues to a model to elicit desired responses. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast seeking a deeper understanding, a developer aiming to harness its capabilities, or a creative writer desiring to collaborate with the machine, this book is your compass.

“100+ Prompts to Ignite Your Everyday Creativity” is more than just a compilation of cues. It’s a journey through the multifaceted dimensions of human intellect, emotion, and creativity, made possible through the lens of advanced artificial intelligence. These prompts have been curated not just for their utility, but for their ability to push the boundaries of what we believe machines can achieve.

Beyond the simple utility of each prompt, you will find insights into the philosophy of AI interactions, the nuances that make a difference, and the art of asking the right questions. Think of this book as a toolkit, a treasure trove of sparks designed to ignite inspiration and pave new avenues of exploration in the vast world of Generative AI.

As you delve into these pages, remember: The future of AI is not just about the answers machines can provide, but the questions we dare to ask. Here’s to your journey of discovery, innovation, and boundless creativity.

By the end of this book, my hope is that you not only gain a deeper appreciation for the marvels of Generative AI but also feel empowered to craft your own prompts, fostering a symbiotic collaboration between human intuition and machine intelligence. Dive in, and let your journey with Generative AI truly begin!

The Therapeutic Duo

Painting and Photography for Mental HealthIn our fast-paced and often chaotic world, finding moments of tranquility and self-expression has become essential for maintaining our mental well-being. While traditional therapy and mindfulness practices have proven beneficial, there are alternative avenues that can provide solace and healing. Two creative outlets, painting, and photography, have emerged as powerful tools to support mental health, allowing individuals to explore their emotions, enhance self-awareness, and find inner peace.

Painting, a timeless art form, offers a unique opportunity to channel emotions onto canvas. It enables individuals to externalize their inner struggles, hopes, and dreams through colors, shapes, and strokes. Engaging in painting allows one to embrace the present moment, engaging in a meditative process that promotes mindfulness and stress relief. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a novice with a paintbrush, the act of painting itself can be immensely therapeutic, providing a sense of control and a means to express the inexpressible.

Similarly, photography has become increasingly accessible to people through the ubiquity of smartphones and digital cameras. It empowers individuals to capture fleeting moments, freeze emotions, and document their personal journeys. Photography offers a unique perspective on the world, encouraging individuals to slow down, observe their surroundings, and find beauty in the simplest of things. This act of mindfulness, coupled with the ability to express oneself visually, can be immensely empowering and calming, fostering a greater connection with oneself and the world.

Both painting and photography share a common thread: they provide a safe space for self-expression. By engaging in these creative processes, individuals can explore and express their deepest thoughts and emotions without needing words. They allow a non-judgmental exploration of one’s inner landscape, offering a sense of liberation and release. This, in turn, can lead to increased self-awareness, improved emotional well-being, and a renewed sense of purpose. Moreover, painting and photography can serve as a bridge to connect with others. Artistic endeavors often create opportunities for individuals to share their work, seek feedback, and engage in meaningful conversations. By connecting with fellow artists or enthusiasts, individuals can develop a sense of community and support, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. This connection can be particularly valuable for those who may struggle to articulate their emotions verbally but thrive in creativity. Incorporating painting and photography into our lives is not about creating masterpieces; it is about embracing the process, the journey, and the healing power of self-expression. Whether you paint with vibrant strokes or capture the world through a camera lens, these creative outlets can become potent tools in our mental health toolkit. They offer us the opportunity to be present, discover our inner selves, and connect profoundly with others. So, pick up a brush or grab your camera, and let the therapeutic magic of painting and photography unfold. Your mental well-being will thank you for it.


In the rapidly evolving world of digital imaging, new technologies constantly emerge, pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer among these advancements. In this blog post, I will explain my thoughts about why digital artists should embrace AI-generated images as a powerful tool to unlock new realms of creativity, expand artistic possibilities, and captivate audiences like never before. Read More


Happy Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season is upon us, and it’s a time for joy, celebration, and spending time with loved ones. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or another winter holiday, this is a special time to enjoy the magic of the season.

For many, the holidays are a time for gift-giving and spreading cheer. It’s a chance to show our loved ones how much we care about them and to make them feel special. It’s also a time to indulge in delicious holiday treats and to create special memories with our friends and family.

One of the best things about the holiday season is the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the present moment. In our busy lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. But during the holidays, we can take a step back and appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Whether it’s sipping on a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace or spending quality time with loved ones, the holidays are a reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment.

This holiday season, let’s make a conscious effort to spread joy and cheer. Let’s be kind to one another and remember the true spirit of the season. Let’s make this holiday one to remember, filled with love, laughter, and joy. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!


Share hope and a smile.

For many years, I thought about sharing this story with you, my readers. But I wasn’t brave enough to do it, and I thought that some people could find it funny or worthless to share. Last year’s events taught me something that only life could teach: if you have something to share that could change the life of even one person for the better, do it.
So, this is my story of the Winter Holidays:
We had a very close family, and we celebrated the holidays like every family. Everything stopped at age 16, and I never had a Christmas tree after or celebrated any holiday. We lost everything, but we survived. Life was an experiment in survival. The lack of money and food washed away the possibility of a joyful celebration of the winter holidays. My mom and I were able to give my daughter a used book from our home collection (we had only a few left). So we wrapped it in a newspaper at night, so she did not see it, and gifted it to her on Christmas morning. My daughter’s gift to us was a spoon from our kitchen wrapped in newspaper. Christmas celebration was about reading books about people from other countries. They were like reading a fairytale that never became a reality.
Now, every year during winter Holidays, I feel like I am in a fairytale story. It’s not about buying expensive decorations or gifts. It’s the fact that “I can celebrate and feel joyful.” Winter holidays are about celebrations, families, hope, and happiness. Today, I went to the store and saw all the winter decorations. Once again, I felt like “I can feel the joy.” This feeling never gets old.
Why am I sharing this story today? Please don’t forget about those in need during this joyful season of celebrations, someone who needs our help or a reminder that they are not alone.
Below, I have attached a few links you can use to spread hope and a smile. If you don’t want to use those links, please donate $1 at your local grocery store or online.
Thank you.

ASPCA
Animal Recovery Center
Adoption Center

St. Jude
Kids In Clinic Wish List
Research Hospital

PTSD Foundation of America
Office Supplies

Make-A-Wish
Alaska and Washington

Create art, not war.

Today I want to talk about a topic that is very close to me, and this topic is about who I am and what made me who I am today. I shared with you part of my life in my book, but today is more about my life after the war.
My entire family (from both sides) are refugees. No one from my family was born and stayed lived at their birthplace all their lives. My entire family for three generations were fighting for their families, fighting to stay alive, and to build happy and peaceful lives for their children (including yours truly).
I was a refugee/immigrant twice in my life. Twice I had to start from scratch. Twice I learned a new language. When you are learning a language from the comfort of your home – it’s nice, it’s the joy of learning something new. When you have to work to support your child and family from the first day in a new country without knowing a single word of the native language in that country – it’s stressful. Stressful because you don’t have time for a smooth transition. You don’t have time to learn because you have a child or family members you need to provide with warm clothes, food, electricity, an apartment, heat, and education. To be honest, I didn’t have the opportunity to take a single class to learn English. I learned English while working, cleaning toilets and cleaning streets. I felt, and I feel that I am the luckiest person in the world. I could work. I put a roof over my child’s head. It felt like magic (even now, after so many years).
Mothers and any good human will do everything necessary to provide for their child and to survive. We all did this to the best of our abilities.

Survival has its price.

This is what I want to talk about today. I ran for my life from Baky, Azerbaijan. I did not know if I would survive. It was scary, extremely scary. I had my mother and grandmother to take care of. I was thinking only about them, how to protect them, how to keep them alive. When your survival instinct kicks in, you don’t feel panic, and you are not scared. You are just frozen, and you are surviving. At some point when Azerbaijani “people” surrounded the house and when my mom and I were hiding, I was thinking that I would show myself to them, knowing that they would torture and kill me slowly. I thought that it was ok because I would give my mom time to run. We survived, and I felt my entire life was passing as I had silence around me. I did not feel anything. I was trying to forget all that had happened. This was my mistake.
When we ran from Baky, we left (as many Armenian people in Azerbaijan) everything we loved, families separated, and many lost their loved ones.
My mom, grandmother, and I left practically everything, but for me leaving my easel and paint supplies was the end of my art life. I did not paint for many, many years, and for me, it was the end.
In the last year and a half, we lost our auntie, my mother-in-law, and my mom. Because of COVID, I could not say goodbye to my mom and even attend her funeral. At that time, I understood that I needed help, I needed help to be able to sleep at night, I needed help to release this “survival mode.” I understood that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of bravery. It’s OK to pause for a few minutes and take care of yourself and your mental health.
Why did I decide to talk about this today? It’s simple —war in Artsakh (my nation, Armenian people of Artsakh under unprecedented war from Azerbaijan). Armenian people are still trying to survive, keeping their territory and homes. Even this week, Armenian soldiers were brutally killed by the Azerbaijan army. Azerbaijani army occupying Armenian territories, disconnecting life support such as gas and electricity). Mothers and fathers of Artsakh don’t know if their children will be alive tomorrow.
The same is going on in Ukraine. Watching all of this, how refugees are trying to survive, seeing crying children, mothers, fathers, grandparents brought all my memories back. I feel the pain and horror of those people.
Today, I want to ask you to help people to survive, to help people to survive not only physically (and this is a priority), but mentally as well.
Don’t let them go inside “their shells,” don’t let them feel “frozen” as I felt.

Any war has only one face: the face of horror, devastation, losses, refugees running for their lives, cold, hunger, homelessness, and feeling alone.


Talk to them, hug them, tell them that they are not alone. As an artist, I know the power of art. People who are trying to survive today have nothing left. They are trying to survive. So many children (an entire generation of children) lost access to simple things such as water, food, and their home. During the horror of the war, a simple piece of paper and pencil, coloring books, and toys would make their hearts happy (even for a few minutes). They would see the light, and they would see the bright colors of childhood. It’s important. It’s important to protect the mental health of refugees right away, today, not tomorrow.
So I am asking you to donate art supplies. If you are an artist, donate your artwork.

UNHCR
rescue.org
USAID

Let’s create art, not war.

My news

I’m very excited to announce my NEW online art store. As an artist, I create original art both digitally and traditionally every day. Many of you have asked how you can buy my original art or if I sold my art on clothing and other products? Now I do and I need your support. Please consider placing an order today for yourself or for a loved one. Thank you!

My new online store


Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator Seminar

I am excited to announce the Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator Conference. On March 2nd, 2022. During this full-day conference, you will learn about getting started and easily navigating in the digital imaging world. 

All classes will be accessible for up to one year to all attendees. 

The full-day conference pass price is $79.99 

All classes are available as stand-alone classes for $29.99 each


Let’s talk about creating unique art even if you’re not a painter. You asked me, and I heard you. So let’s get started


Spitak earthquake

I will never forget December 7th, 1988. On this day, the Spitak earthquake took away more than 25,000 lives, and 150,000 were injured. So many towns and villages were affected or destroyed. I will never forget 11:41 local time when it happened. I still can hear the sound that the ground made at that time. I was in Yerevan, but because the earthquake in Spitak was one of the strongest and devastating, we felt it in Yerevan. 

The night before the earthquake, my mom and I landed in Yerevan after being hidden in Azerbaijan for more than ten days. I didn’t know if I would survive or be killed, until my plane landed in Armenia’s territory. It was late and a rainy night when our plane landed. When I understood that I survived, I dropped to my knees and kissed the Armenian land. I was crying, happy, but still had trouble believing that I survived and was safe. 

My grandmother was waiting for us. Because I was still in survivor mode, the peace of the house looked unreal, and I literally could not hear anything. I went to bed happy and believing that everything bad was behind us.

In the morning, when we woke up, my grandma made breakfast. After that, we decided to go outside to the store. Then 11:41 AM happened. My grandmother was holding her hands up putting her dress on, and at this second, the building started shaking! We heard the” earth cry.” 

I yelled to my mom and grandmom, “Run,” and we did run. We were living on the 8th floor and using the stairs we reached the six floor when all stopped. During this short time, so many people in Spitak and surrounding areas lost their lives. So many people lost their loved ones, homes, and everything. 

In Yerevan, we were scared to go back to our apartments/homes for so many months because of aftershocks. 

The entire world was shocked by what happened in Spitak. So many nations came to help. Armenian people will be forever grateful for that. 

Today marked 33 years since the Spitak Earthquake. I remember that day, I remember the innocent victims, and I pray that it will never happen again. 


My new tech blog post

Holiday Gift Guide

Hello everyone,

At this time of Thanksgiving, I want to express my appreciation for you, my readers. May your Thanksgiving be full of peace, love and joy.


As always, at this time of the year, I am sharing with you my Holiday Gift Guide. In this guide, you will find all things I love and use in my photography, design, and art studio.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Victoria Pavlov’s Holiday Guide