We recently had the chance to connect with Viktoria Branchstone and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Viktoria, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Honestly, the first part is me figuring out which planet I’m on. I’m very much a night owl, my studies happen in a different time zone, and the muse has a habit of showing up somewhere around midnight, so mornings are… gentle.
Those first 90 minutes are slow: cup of tea, hello to cats, staring out the window, letting my nervous system catch up with reality. I don’t force productivity right away. I just ease into the day, check in with myself, and see what energy I’m working with. Creativity comes later, once I’ve fully landed back on Earth.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Viktoriia. I’m an artist working under the name Branchstone. I create textured, abstract pieces using natural materials, like bark, branches, stones, combined with paint. Nature isn’t just my inspiration, it’s part of the work itself.
What makes it special for me is the process. I like slow, tactile work, letting materials lead instead of forcing an idea. Every piece ends up a little unpredictable, which I love — nothing is fully planned, and nothing can be repeated exactly.
Right now I’m working on pieces that explore contrast: destruction and renewal, fragility and strength. I’m also slowly expanding how and where I share my work through interviews like this, local shows, and collaborations. Branchstone is really about staying rooted, even when everything else keeps changing.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Oh, I love this question. As a child, I was a witch — or at least an alchemist. I spent hours experimenting with colors, textures, smells, and every other possible quality of organic things I could get my hands on.
In those moments, I loved silence and completely dissolved into the process. A cat stood guard nearby, a dog was my companion on little expeditions, and two tiny caterpillars living in half a walnut shell were my advisors. That world felt whole.
The attention my successful experiments received was reward enough. Before questions of self-validation, money, adult responsibilities, or my later career in IT, I was a maker of small magic. And now I’m finding my way back to that state again.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For a long time, it was the fear of making mistakes, and, closely tied to that, the fear of being judged for them. I wanted things to be done “right,” to make sense, to be justified. That made me cautious, sometimes too cautious.
Over time, I’ve learned that mistakes aren’t the opposite of progress, they’re part of it. Judgment loses its power when you realize that most growth happens quietly, imperfectly, and a little out of view. Letting myself be seen while still figuring things out has been one of the most freeing shifts in my life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies is that visibility equals value. Loud, fast, and constantly shareable work often gets more attention, but that doesn’t always mean it’s deeper or more meaningful.
Some art needs time, silence, and patience — both from the artist and the viewer.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they say I was brave — not loud or fearless, but willing to keep going even when things were uncertain. And resilient, in a quiet way: able to bend, adapt, and rebuild without losing myself.
If they also remember that I created with honesty, cared deeply, and left something meaningful behind, that would be enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://branchstone.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchstone.art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090517912537
