High Artist Spotlight: Denis Roonikov

Born in Russia, Denis discovered his passion for painting at a young age, and continued pursuing it with a design degree until a fateful encounter with a shaman changed his path. He was instructed to spend a year living in the wild on the Black Sea. This was just the beginning of a lifelong journey of exploration and discovery that has taken him to the far corners of the world. Embarking on this journey with a fierce determination to create, from India to Thailand, Indonesia to Nepal, Denis spent the next ten years traveling and painting, constantly expanding his horizons and experimenting with different styles and techniques. The result is a body of work that reflects the vibrant and diverse cultures that have inspired him along the way. His passion lies in large-scale, highly detailed paintings that burst with color and energy. He loves experimenting with ultraviolet light to create works that reveal hidden dimensions and surprising details. His art is not only an expression of beauty and wonder, but also a vehicle for exploring concepts of unity and transcendence. Through his work, he seeks to inspire viewers to connect with their inner selves and the world around them in a more meaningful way. While his journey has taken him far from his birthplace, he remains committed to his art and to creating a better world through his work. Unfortunately, due to him not supporting the war, it is impossible for him to return to Russia, but he is now traveling around Central and South America with his American fiancé, working on securing a visa to the United States to be together. Denis is excited to see where this new chapter of his journey will take him, and look forward to sharing his work with new audiences along the way.
We recently caught up with Denis after High Art 2023 to learn more about his most recent inspirations:

Where do you find your creative inspiration?
I find much inspiration from powerful plants (like cannabis), nature, and the human experience.

Why do you do what you do?
I enjoy exploring concepts of unity and consciousness through my artwork.

What art/artist do you most identify with?
Alex Grey

What themes do you pursue the most?
Consciousness, psychedelia, universal positivity

What role does an artist have in society?
To spread consciousness around, to think further and deeper, and to encourage others to do the same.

What is your artistic outlook on life?
Life holds special secrets, those of which connect us all. As an artist, I seek to explore and represent these connections.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Live more in the current moment. Be right now.

Do you listen to music while you are creating? If yes, share the song and artist that you listen to while creating art.
Yes, I listen to "One Drop" by Bob Marley and "Patience" by Nas & Damian Marley.

What's the best thing about being an artist?
I'm able to open the door to another dimension and share it with others.

What is your dream project?
Ever since my love of ganja came, it has been a dream of mine to create a series that honors its influence and impact on my creative process.

Support Denis by shopping his collection here.

Back to Artist Spotlights