Marina Shipova, an artist and professor of graphic design and photography for almost 30 years, has dedicated over 20 years to teaching at a Community College in Washington State. Her artwork has been showcased in galleries worldwide, and she has received awards as a photographer in both domestic and international competitions. She is widely recognized as a world-renowned artist, graphic designer, illustrator, and publisher. In addition to her prominence as a premier graphics designer, she has also produced and starred in various commercials. Marina's creative pursuits focus on classic painterly style photography, which has become her trademark. Her meticulous attention to detail, expert handling of lighting, and exceptional compositional skills have garnered her international acclaim.
Artist StatementMy work originates from the tradition of Classic Portrait painting. Such style has been a signature of my art for some years. My passion for art and Illustration grew from my childhood interest in visual stories, and an (over) active imagination. My pursuit of art education spans my entire life. Art studies have brought into focus an acute attention to form (and style) associated with classical techniques. Classic art has always been the anchor and core of my artistic journey. I am a classically trained artist, but I see myself more as an explorer, especially when it comes to different medias, techniques, styles, themes, and artistic pathways. I find myself in a world where the digital canvas is infinitely flexible, a conduit for limitless possibilities, upended in multiple dimensions and unified by apps and technologies.
Digital Photography transforms the perception of image creation and pushes the boundaries of reality to new and infinite heights. Image editing applications provide the tools an artist can only dream about, breaking down the walls between imaginary and reality. We are approaching an age where imagination reaches beyond the constraints of 3D dimensions and allows artistic possibilities previously unimagined. That new digital reality is my canvas, allowing me to create my very own visual and conceptual world emerging through the intersection between painting, photography and computer graphics.
With the invention of photography in the 1800s, early photographers used the new medium as an artist would a canvas, but through the years, photography took on its own direction, punctuated by a billion "snapshots," and other poorly thought out and executed compositions. As knowledge and experience seems to have become inversely proportional to originality and creativity, I have endeavored to develop an alternative creative vehicle based upon my understanding of classic painting. Digital photography is a revenue of self-expression for me. I form images to identify with hidden qualities within myself, to communicate with reality, and to translate the interpretation of the world around me into visual linguistics. My goal is to use my camera as a painting tool, to paint new uncharted worlds, as a place of self-discovery, and most importantly, the grounds for telling new (untold) stories.
AWARDS
2024 I EcoVision Award / ViewBug
2024 I Ignition Award on ViewBug
2024 I Best photograph and Best photographer, Art Photography Contest I 35 Awards
2023 I Best of Black & White Top Pick Winner / Exhibit t the Valid World Hall gallery in Barcelona, Spain
2023 I Action Award on ViewBug
2023 I World's Top Photographers Magazine Award
2023 I Flawless Summer Award I ViewBug
2023 I 3rd place & Viewer's choice in Staged Photo, 100 Great world photographer and Top 35 US photographer I 35 Awards
2023 I 1st Judge Choice / Luxury Women / Photocrowd
2023 I Gem Award, Top Choice and Aperture Award on View Bug
2023 I 1st Crowd Choice / Tales of Midwinter & People with Flowers/ Photocrowd
2022 I Best photograph and Best photographer, Cosplay Contest I 35 Awards
2022 I 1st Judge Choice / Creative Expression in Photography / Photocrowd
2022 I 1st Crowd Choice / Circus Performers / Photocrowd
2022 I Guru's Top Pick Winner / Love Story Challenge, Most Romantic Photo / GuruShots
2022 I August "Shoot The Face" Finalist / https://shoottheframe.com/
2022 I People's Choice in Just Rust Photo Challenge I ViewBug
2022 I Viewers Choice / Top 35 USA Photographers I 35 AWARDS
2022 I Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 79 I ViewBug
2022 I Moderator Award, Curator's Choice, Curator's Selection & Top Shot Award 22 I ViewBug
2022 I Best Portrait Entry I Photographic Artist Division I Professional Photographers of Washington
2021 I Guru's Top Pick Winner / Winter Portrait, Ladies In White Challenge, Talented Performers / GuruShots
2021 I Winner in "Pure Storytelling" contest / Visual Storytellers
2021 I 1st Crowd Choice / Halloween! / Photocrowd
2021 I First place in "Before & After", "Warm Light" & "Looking Away" contests / Visual Storytellers
2021 I Expert 1st place I Sense of Summer I Photocrowd
2021 I Top 35 USA Photographers I 35 AWARDS
2021 I 1st Crowd Choice and Top 10 Expert Choice / Surrealism Contest / Photocrowd
2021 I First place in Your Top 5 shots & Wide & Solo contest / Visual Storytellers
2020 I Guru's Top Pick Winner / Photographer of the Day, Baby's First Year / GuruShots
2019 I Guru's Top Pick Winner / "Hello October" Challenge / GuruShots
2019 | Photoshop World Guru /Best of Show / Photoshop World Conference
2015 | John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Awards / Excellence in Community College Teaching
2015 | The da Vinci Eye / Finalist / Eric Hoffer book awards / Excellence in Independent Publishing
2015 | The Best Cover / BooksGoSocial
2012 | Silver Paragon Award / National Council for Marketing and Public Relations /
Outstanding Achievement in Design and Communication at Two-Year Community and Technical Colleges
Outstanding Achievement in Design and Communication at Two-Year Community and Technical Colleges
PUBLICATIONS
Whispers of Spring / Artells · Print · FANTASY & Al | April Issue
GEZNO Magazine / The Whispers of Roses
Spellbound Magazine / Tea Time: The White Goose Soirée/ MARCH 2024
Artells · Print · 🤍FANTASY & Al | February Issue
Neptune's Daughter / L'AMOUR SPAIN · Print · AI PRINT | OPEN THEME | FEBRUARY 2024
Fallen Angel / L'AMOUR SPAIN · Print · AI PRINT | OPEN THEME | FEBRUARY 2024
Fallen Angel / ARTEGO · Print · FANTASY | JANUARY ISSUE
Santa Chronicles / MAKEDA · Print · COSPLAY - FANTASY - COSTUME
Winter Tales / L'attirance · Print · FASHION Edition | Publication
The Magic of Fall/GEZNO · Print · May Print Issue 2024
Sun-Kissed: A Radiant Yellow-Orange Affair / Artells · Print · PORTRAIT | October Issue
Midnight Rose / Artells · Print · FANTASY | October Issue
GEZNO Magazine / The Whispers of Roses
Spellbound Magazine / Tea Time: The White Goose Soirée/ MARCH 2024
Artells · Print · 🤍FANTASY & Al | February Issue
Neptune's Daughter / L'AMOUR SPAIN · Print · AI PRINT | OPEN THEME | FEBRUARY 2024
Fallen Angel / L'AMOUR SPAIN · Print · AI PRINT | OPEN THEME | FEBRUARY 2024
Fallen Angel / ARTEGO · Print · FANTASY | JANUARY ISSUE
Santa Chronicles / MAKEDA · Print · COSPLAY - FANTASY - COSTUME
Winter Tales / L'attirance · Print · FASHION Edition | Publication
The Magic of Fall/GEZNO · Print · May Print Issue 2024
Sun-Kissed: A Radiant Yellow-Orange Affair / Artells · Print · PORTRAIT | October Issue
Midnight Rose / Artells · Print · FANTASY | October Issue
Steampunk Siren / Fantasy / September issue / Artells / 2023
A vintage Garden Tale / Fantasy / September issue / Gezno / 2023
Yellow Angel / Spellbound Fairytale and Fantasy Magazine / Dark & Enchanted Realms Practical Magic 2023.
Midsummers Day / Untold Magazine / The Fine Art June Issue / 2023
Shadow Garden / Looker Magazine / June Issue / 2023
Rush to Summer / HOLLYWAY Magazine / June Issue / 2023
Dreaming in The Blue / Betrend Magazine / AI Art, May Issue / 2023
Shadows / Delirium Magazine / AI Art, May Issue / 2023
Living Garden / Virtuogenix Magazine / AI Art, April Issue / 2023
Shadow of Light / Arrant Magazine / April Issue / 2023
Sound of Storm / Artells Magazine / Fantasy, February Issue / 2023
Frida Kahlo Inspired / Artells Magazine / Portrait, March Issue / 2023
Shattered Water / Quadro Magazine / Fantasy February Issue / 2023
Whisper Deep / Top Posters Magazine / Men March Issue / 2023
A Dance Of Light / Spellbound Fairytale and Fantasy Magazine / April/May Issue / 2022
Studio Portrait / Edith Magazine / January Issue / 2023
Christmas stories / In Frame Magazine / Christmas Holidays Edition /2022
Daydream / Artells Magazine / Portrait, November Issue / 2022
Tell me a Story / Spellbound Magazine / Fairytales & Fantasy / December-January Issue /2022
My Journey in Photography / Washington Photographer Journal / Fall 2022 issue
From The Shadows / Top Posters / Halloween November Issue / 2022
Epic Adventures / Marika Magazine / October Issue / 2022
With you my heart runs free / Photohouse Magazine / November Issue / 2022
Attached At the Heart / L'attirance Magazine / November Issue / 2022
A Dusty Ride / L'attirance Magazine / November Issue / 2022
Daydream / Spellbound Fairytales & Fantasy November Issue / 2022
Dreamer / HOLLYWAY Magazine / KIDS / October Issue / 2022
In The Shadows / Moda Republic Magazine / October HALLOWEEN Edition /2022
Epic Adventures / Marika Magazine / October Issue / 2022
Tales of Midnight / EDITH Magazine / Special Halloween issue / 2022
Spellbound Magazine / Fairytales & Fantasy / October Edition /2022
Tales of Midnight / Lo'Ammi Magazine / The Fine-Art Fantasy edition /2022
Marvelous Art Magazine / September Issue #7 / 2022
Midsummer's Day / Mood Boards Magazine / September Issue / 2022
Along the Road / Swanky Magazine / September issue 5 / 2022
Love in The Wind / Photohouse Magazine / September Issue / 2022
Interview / Marvelous Art Magazine / September Issue / 2022
In The Place That Calls Me / Artells Magazine / July Issue / 2022
With All my Heart / Wedding Magazine, Volume 16 / 2022
Daydream / Untold Magazine Cover Story / Fine Art Issue / August Issue 2022
Edith Glamour Magazine / Art Edition / August Issue 2022 / Volume 218
Falling For You / Artells Magazine / Wedding Day / August Issue 2022 / Volume 323
The Storm is Coming! / The Warriors Within Collective Magazine / JULY 2022 / Volume 10
Vanity Wall Magazine / JULY 2022 / FANTASY EDITION / Vol. iii Issue 09 / Book 2
Tales of Midnight / Gilded Magazine / August Issue 2022
Whispers in the Wind / PhotoHouse Magazine / July issue 2022
Silent Moment / Fine Art MALVIE Magazine / July issue 2022
Fantasy Series / Artells Magazine / Fine Art June 2022
Sisters / 6X HAIR Magazine Magazine / Vol-05 / /June Issue 2022
Top Posters Magazine / Fine Art /June Issue 2022
Spellbound Fairytales & Fantasy / Volume XIX, June issue 2022
Portrait 6X Magazine / Siren Song /Volume 08, June 2022
Working with Models / Tips for Beginners. Washington Photographer Journal, Spring 2022 issue.
Glamville Magazine / Goddesses & Queens of the Heavens, June 2022
Beautica Magazine / May Issue, 2022
Marvelous Art Magazine / March Issue #1 / 2022
Marvelous Artists Book No:3 (Collective Art Book Series) by Marvelous Art, 2022
I See You / A Story Behind the Photo. Washington Photographer Journal, Winter 2022 issue.
World's Top Photographers Magazine / Award 19.01.2022, Award 06.02.2022, Award 19.03.2022 / "Open Publication" Category & the Luxury Editions for March & April issues
Ylle Magazine / Volume 32, December Issue 3 / 2021
Olympic Peninsula / Favorite Story Photographs by Marina Shipova / 2021
Marvelous Art Magazine / November Issue 2021
Story Telling Through Still Life Photography / Washington Photographer / Vol. 85, Fall 2021
EXT Photo Magazine #9, 2021 / http://extphotomagazine.com.br/magazines.php?number=9
EXT Photo Magazine #8, 2021 / https://www.pluhma.com/photos_ext/
Photoart / Crosscurrents. Literary & Arts Magazine / 2021
EXT Photo Magazine #7, 2020 / https://www.pluhma.com/photos_ext/
The Art of Still Life / Storytelling Through Still Life Photography / Running Dog Studios / 2020
Fine Art Photography / A Classical Approach to Modern Photography / Running Dog Studios / 2019
The Art of Steampunk / Every Picture Tells a Story / Running Dog Studios / 2019
The Art of Fantasy / Whimsical Fairytale Illustrations / Running Dog Studios / 2019
Who's is Who in the KelbyOne Community / Photoshop User.
The Adobe Photoshop "How-To" Magazine. Kelbyone.com September / 2019
The Adobe Photoshop "How-To" Magazine. Kelbyone.com September / 2019
EXHIBITIONS
Art of Photography / PH21 Photography Gallery,
Budapest, Hungary / 1-3 May, 2020
Budapest, Hungary / 1-3 May, 2020
Solo - Single Subject
The Photography Show & The Video Show 2020
NEC, Birmingham, UK / 19-22 September, 2020
The Photography Show & The Video Show 2020
NEC, Birmingham, UK / 19-22 September, 2020
My Exhibition Shot / The Photography Show
Espaço Espelho D'agua, Lisbon, Portugal / 22 - 24 May, 2020
Espaço Espelho D'agua, Lisbon, Portugal / 22 - 24 May, 2020
Powerful Compositions / Kontrast Galleri, Stockholm, Sweden
23-26 July, 2020
23-26 July, 2020
My Favorite Shot / Valid World Hall, Barcelona, Spain
13-15 August, 2020
13-15 August, 2020
Solo Single Subject / Brick Lane Gallery, London, UK
18-24 August, 2020
18-24 August, 2020
Storytelling / BBA Gallery, Berlin, Germany / 17-19 July, 2020
My Exhibition Shot
The Space, An Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC / 7-9 August, 2020
The Space, An Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC / 7-9 August, 2020
Street Photography / Hinterland Galerie, Vienna, Austria
3-5 September, 2020
3-5 September, 2020
My Favorite Shot / Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece
25-27 September, 2020
25-27 September, 2020
Powerful Composition / Fridge Gallery, Washington DC, US
1-3 October, 2020
1-3 October, 2020
Art of Photography / Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece
25-27 September, 2020
25-27 September, 2020
Storytelling / International Festival of Photography / Budapest, Hungary
1-10 October 2020
1-10 October 2020
Powerful Lighting / Gora Gallery, Montreal, Canada / 19-21 November 2020
Your Perfect Shot / Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece / 18-20 December 2020
Photographer of the Year / Agora Gallery, New York City / 11-13 February 2021
My Exhibition Shot / Laurent Gallery, Melbourne, Australia / 16-18 April 2021
Portrait Photographer Of The Year / Art Delight Gallery, Seoul, South Korea /
13-15 August 2021
13-15 August 2021
Powerful Lighting / Indian Habitat Center, New Delhi, India / 26-30 November 2021
Powerful Composition / Praxis Gallery, Minneapolis, USA / 3-5 December 2021
Online Solo Exhibition / Marvelous Art Gallery / October 25-30 2021
Photographer Of The Year 2021 Exhibition / Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago USA /
21 January - 18 February 2022
21 January - 18 February 2022
Art of Photography / BBA Gallery, Berlin, Germany / 28 - 30 January 2022
Creative Composition / 6x6 Centre for Photography, Limassol, Cyprus / 6-8 May 2022
Portrait Photographer of the Year / Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago / 23 Sep - 4 Nov, 2022
Photographer Of The Year 2023 Exhibition / Coningsby Gallery, London, UK / 30-31 December, 2022
Online Solo Exhibition / Marvelous Art Gallery / October 15-20 2022
Powerful Composition / PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary / 3-5 February, 2023
Art of Photography / Milan Image Art Fair (MIA) Italy / 23-26 March 2023
Very Best of Black & White / Art Market Budapest, Hungary / 19-22 October, 2023
Best of Black & White / BSIDE Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, 19-21 January, 2024
Best of Black & White / Valid World Hall gallery / Barcelona, Spain / 22-24 March, 2024
Art of Black & White / Valid World Hall gallery / Barcelona, Spain / 13-15 September, 2024