Lyudmila Tomova

Lyudmila Tomova Clark, a.k.a. Lucy is a globally acclaimed, award-winning artist celebrated for her distinctive impressionist style. Residing in both Cary, NC, and Almond, WI, she passionately captures figures, portraits, and plein air scenes in both oil and watercolor mediums. The years 2023/2024 marked a remarkable chapter, with Lyudmila earning an impressive 40 awards in various national and international exhibitions, 17 of which were first place, underscoring her enduring excellence and unwavering commitment to the ever-evolving language of creativity.

Drawing inspiration from the complexity of the world around, Lyudmila's work has earned recognition in prestigious plein air events such as Easton, Bluff Strokes, Glaciers, Suffolk, and New Bern, among others. Her art seamlessly blends abstract and realistic elements, weaving together mood and movement. Lyudmila holds a BFA degree in Illustration with highest honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria, showcasing her adept navigation of Classical realism and impressionism. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, her artistic journey flourished upon her immigration to the US in 1990, where she thrived as a full-time painter, editorial illustrator, and designer in the dynamic landscape of New York City. Playfully reflecting on her early plein air initiation at the age of 13 in the Special School of Fine Arts in Bulgaria, she fondly embraces her approach, which she whimsically dubs "create-destroy-create" – a rhythmic dance mirrored in her gestures on canvas.

Beyond her studio, Lyudmila generously imparts her passion by conducting workshops on watercolor, oil, acrylic, and drawing throughout North Carolina. As a distinguished Signature member of the Watercolor Societies of NC (silver signature member), Georgia, Louisiana, Southern, and the Southwestern Watercolor Society, her influence extends far beyond her canvas. Her numerous accolades include features in the PleinAir (8-page article), International Artist, Art of Watercolour, Pratique des Arts Magazine, Watercolor Artist and Walter magazines, Splash books, and inclusion in Strokes of Genius 8: Expressive Texture by North Light Books. Lyudmila's artistic legacy is evident through her participation in esteemed exhibitions such as PleinAir Salon, ArtFields, AIS, OPA, BOAPS, RFAS, WFWS, NWS and many others.