The New York painter discusses creative discipline, large-scale paintings, artistic growth, and finding meaning through the act of showing up.
Some artists wait for inspiration.
Alexander Yulish believes in showing up.
During my conversation with painter Alexander Yulish, we discussed the realities of maintaining a studio practice, the emotional intensity of creating artwork, and the constant dialogue between artist and canvas. Thoughtful, introspective, and deeply committed to his craft, Yulish offered a fascinating look into the mindset behind his work.
Working from his studio at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, Yulish has developed a painting practice centered on discipline, intuition, and a relentless commitment to creative exploration.
Although we first connected during Open Studios at Mana Contemporary, our conversation quickly expanded beyond painting techniques and into larger questions about creativity, discipline, personal growth, and the role art plays in understanding ourselves.
Growing Up Surrounded by Art
For Yulish, art was present from the very beginning.
Raised in New York City by a mother who was both a painter and sculptor, he grew up in a household where artists, dancers, musicians, and creative thinkers were a constant presence. The arts were not something separate from daily life—they were woven directly into it.
That early exposure helped shape his understanding of what it means to dedicate oneself to a creative practice.
Art was never simply a hobby.
It was a way of living.
The Importance of Showing Up
One theme surfaced repeatedly throughout our conversation: discipline.
While many artists describe lengthy rituals before beginning work, Yulish takes a different approach.
When he arrives at the studio, he immediately begins painting.
There is no waiting for inspiration to strike.
No prolonged preparation—
No searching for motivation—
For him, the act of showing up is often the most important step.
Ideas evolve while working.
Solutions appear through action.
The studio itself becomes a place where discoveries happen rather than a place where fully formed concepts are executed.
Painting as a Conversation
Perhaps the most memorable idea from our discussion was Yulish’s description of painting as an ongoing conversation.
A painting, he explained, is not complete when it simply looks finished.
It is complete when the conversation feels resolved.
Sometimes that process takes days.
Sometimes it takes months.
And often a painting contains multiple versions of itself beneath the final surface.
Rather than discarding work he dislikes, Yulish frequently paints over previous attempts. Layers accumulate. Histories remain hidden beneath the surface. Earlier decisions continue influencing the final result.
In this way, every painting carries traces of its own evolution.
The viewer may never see those earlier layers, but their energy remains embedded within the work.
Scale, Risk, and Creative Challenges
Yulish has never shied away from ambitious projects.
During the conversation, he discussed creating paintings measuring up to 10 feet by 18 feet—works that require enormous physical and emotional commitment.
Rather than being intimidated by large-scale projects, he views them as opportunities.
Challenges create momentum.
Uncertainty creates growth.
For Yulish, the goal is not to eliminate difficulty but to move through it.
Each painting presents a new puzzle, requiring decisions about color, balance, composition, and emotional resonance.
That willingness to embrace uncertainty is central to his practice.
Mana Contemporary and the Studio Environment
Alexander Yulish maintains his art studio at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, one of the region’s leading centers for contemporary art. Home to artists, galleries, curators, collectors, and cultural organizations, Mana provides an environment where creative practice exists alongside ongoing dialogue about contemporary art.
It was through Mana Contemporary’s Open Studios program that I first encountered Yulish’s work. Walking into his studio, I was immediately struck by the scale, intensity, and emotional depth of his paintings. Large canvases filled the space, each carrying layers of color, history, and experimentation that reflected the artist’s commitment to his process.
For Yulish, the studio serves as both a workspace and a place of investigation. It is where ideas are tested, compositions evolve, and conversations with the canvas unfold. The environment at Mana Contemporary allows him to focus intensely on his practice while remaining connected to a broader community of artists and creative professionals.
That balance between solitude and community continues to play an important role in the development of his work.
Looking Toward Sculpture
While painting remains the foundation of his practice, Yulish also shared his interest in exploring sculpture in the future.
Specifically, he spoke about translating the emotional and visual language of his paintings into figurative bronze works.
Rather than abandoning painting, he sees sculpture as a natural extension of the same questions he is already exploring.
The challenge lies in bringing abstraction, movement, and emotional complexity into three-dimensional form.
It is a direction that feels both ambitious and inevitable.
Growth Through Discomfort
One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation was Yulish’s willingness to embrace uncertainty.
He openly described feeling uncomfortable at times in his work.
Instead of avoiding those moments, he sees them as signs that something important may be developing.
Growth often begins where certainty ends.
For artists, that can be both frightening and exciting.
Yulish understands that creative breakthroughs rarely happen inside comfort zones. They emerge through persistence, experimentation, and the willingness to continue working even when the destination remains unclear.
Continuing the Conversation
As the interview came to a close, we discussed the possibility of revisiting the conversation in the future.
One of the goals of Tarik Talk has always been to follow artists throughout their creative journeys rather than capturing a single moment in time.
Creative lives evolve.
Ideas change.
New directions emerge.
Looking back at earlier conversations often reveals connections that were impossible to recognize in the moment.
For Alexander Yulish, the future may include sculpture, new bodies of paintings, or entirely unexpected directions.
Whatever comes next, one thing seems certain:
He will continue showing up.
And the conversation will continue.
About Tarik Talk
Hosted by Tarik Mendes, Tarik Talk is a podcast featuring in-depth conversations with artists, curators, museum professionals, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders from around the world. With more than 200 episodes across 50 seasons and interviews recorded in over 10 countries, the podcast explores artistic practice, creative process, exhibitions, museums, public art, and the stories behind contemporary culture.
From emerging artists to internationally recognized figures, each episode offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the people shaping today’s creative landscape through thoughtful, long-form conversations that inspire, educate, and connect audiences worldwide.