Every time I sit down to write a newsletter, I get little overwhelmed. So I go through my notes from the past few days or weeks, to see what jumps out and might be worth sharing. I write, mostly for myself, and very definitely, irregularly.. As a matter of fact being irregular is the most regular thing you can expect from me. Always.  Don’t get me wrong, I do try to develop some habits. Every self help book tells us how our body functions the best when we have a routine! I do not dare to dispute these wisdoms.. but I also happen to know maybe it doesn’t work like that for everyone and that is ok too:) But back to the elephant in the room – it’s almost Christmas!! The excitement and over expectation of eternal love, that sometimes ends up in stress and overwhelming unmanageability to prepare the presents for everyone, is definitely there.. I also tend to get super reflective around Christmas- Have I achieved enough? Have I worked hard enough? Have I travelled or seen enough? And somehow I still think that affirming these makes me a better person. Than who, I also ask myself.. Chronic comparisons and yet none of these achievements mention the way one treats another, is available, contributes to the society or is a good friend, daughter, father, and I could go on and on.. and does considering these other questions entitle me to feel like I am more? Or maybe, as I am writing this, it occurs to me, we could let go of the ‘end of the year  ‘ticking off’ the boxes’ all together:)  It is my Christmas present to myself this year, and the one I would like to share and give to you too. Why don’t we lessen the mental pressure of grading our life and just enjoy the moment because everything is exactly as it needs be.  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and happy holidays!  Thank you for all your support, positive words, constructive criticisms and buying the artwork so I can keep creating and sharing all the beauties I see, more. Lots of love,  Dani...

“When I don’t like something or when it’s not fun anymore, I should just stop doing it.” B. (in recovery) Before you sigh to yourself.. possibly roll your eyes… and breath out the ‘duh!’.. Just give me 7 more seconds of your attention and if that doesn’t work, thank you for opening this post at least 🙂 I had a sitting with a young man who is in recovery from gaming addiction on Sunday. He said incredible amount of profound thoughts and reflective observations about his past, as well as what obstacles one might face when dealing with addiction to video games, that’s commonly (and shamingly) considered, in his own words, ‘just a children’s game’. He finished with the quote above as being his new life motto. His courageous new resolution made me little bit teary. It sounds so simple.. it IS very simple, yet we can make it so difficult for us. Why do we stay in situations, jobs or relationships that make us unhappy? Where we might be continuously getting the short end of the stick? What beliefs make us think that’s the only option? Universe gives us what we ask for. I know it. I sometimes fucking hate it. Because it means that I have all the power within to make choices and live a life that fulfils me and makes me happy.  I love working one on one with people I paint. I haven’t done a sitting for over a year now ( I know, shame on me) and it reminded me what a humbling experience it is. Everyone has something to say, and each story is so unique, inspirational, beautiful, relatable, different, normal or crazy.. whatever it is.. our individuality must be celebrated, like every day! And so back to my, what I recently started calling a ‘broken- heart syndrome’ .. As much as it’s a  part of life and great for personal growth, it’s a feeling that should pass.. not an ongoing state of mind we chose to stay in. So indeed, if you don’t like doing something, just stop doing it! (or try for a week;) And we can all live happily ever after. Lots of love and beauty, Dani...

I felt honoured to have had the opportunity to have a solo booth at Start Art Fair at Saatchi gallery in September 2018 and to exhibit the selection of the pieces from my ‘Capital’ collection. The project raises awareness about addictions (ranging from alcohol, drugs to shopping, sex and others.. ) And for the first time I included the soundtrack installation based on the interviews with the participants that the visitors had a chance to listen to. Add to the mix – I also showed ‘Liberty’ sculpture and one of my chess sets. Thank you to all who attended and last but not least to the wonderful Start staff who made this experience so enjoyable. Here are few photos from the fair.. Admittedly, taking pictures was not on the top of my to do list but luckily I managed to collect quite a few from my dear friends who happen to be more organised than myself! <3   For any inquiries re the artwork or booking a commission please email me on dani@danielaraytchev.com  ...

  Butterfly Ball for Caudwell Children charity took place on 15th June 2018. You could feel the joy and happiness when everyone got together to celebrate every children’s life, and raise money for this amazing charity that transforms the lives of disabled children across the UK. “We act as a safety net for families who are unable to gain the help they need.” I have been commissioned to create a piece specifically for the event to be donated at the Silent Auction. ‘The Butterfly Effect” was a stained glass installation. “Each glass butterfly is individually hand crafted and decorated to form an installation. With delicately-cut stained glass pieces and hand-applied spikes in Raytchev’s signature style, this is an exquisite art piece with a powerful, relevant message.  ‘Butterfly Effect’ promotes ideals of inclusivity and empowerment, especially of minorities and those who experience discrimination. The butterflies are literally breaking through the glass ceiling and setting out in a golden spiral shape. ‘Butterfly Effect’ is inspired by Raytchev’s ‘Glass Ceiling’, a floating art chess installation commissioned for display at the World Chess Hall of Fame Museum in St. Louis,...

I was beyond excited to do a talk about my work and exhibit the posters of my work at this neuroscience conference in earlier on in May! Few photos from the event below. Thank you to the ISBS team for an amazing welcome and looking after...

‘Capital ‘ project raising awareness about addictions and eating disorders solo exhibition at Citi bank in London’s Canary Wharf. The exhibition took place from the World Mental Health Day in October 2017 lasting for one month. Follow the link to read more about Citi’s wonderful initiative Minds at Citi and the first in-house counselling in the...