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Dancer paints artworks with her body that sell for thousands

"I wanted to be able to capture 3D movements on a 2D canvas."

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Former pro-dancer Veronika Radolovich now creates artwork full-time.

By Charlotte Penketh-King via SWNS

This professional dancer creates art that sells for thousands, by performing on canvases in a bikini while covered in paint.

Veronika Radolovich, 34, decided to combine her two passions for dance and art in 2017.

Her top-selling piece, named Circolo, sold for $10,000 Canadian [$7,500 USD].

Her favorite piece, Inflorescence, is currently on sale for about $11,600 USD.

Veronika, who splits her time between Toronto and Montreal, Canada, said: "I wanted to be able to capture 3D movements on a 2D canvas.

"It's a way for me to be free and empower and inspire myself and others.

"It's acceptance of myself, it's overcoming things in my past, and expressing and sharing beauty and love.

"I have only choreographed two of my pieces - a lot of the time it is pure freedom of expression.

"Sometimes, I am very mindful of what marks I am making and what the final product will look like.

"Other times, it doesn't matter what the final result looks like. It's all about the dance and the expression.

"My favorite piece is called 'Inflorescence' - a 16-foot painting that is a spectrum of color, so it goes through the reds and the pinks to the oranges, to the yellows, to the greens, to the blues and to the purples. It was a huge breakthrough for me in my work."

"I think I've always been a little bit rebellious in my life, and dancing in paint is a way for me to really honor my inner child and my childhood and the playfulness of it all.

"I know that a lot of people don't take it seriously, but for me, this is pretty serious!"

Veronika became interested in art from a very young age, growing up around her parents who met each other in art school.

Influenced by her father's artwork and her mother's passion for fashion and costume design, Veronika embarked on a career as a professional dancer.

With a background of over 20 years of dancing in numerous styles from classical and ballet to modern and jazz, Veronika turned her talent to the canvas five years ago.

The process is also cathartic for her.

"Painting like this has been a way for me to reclaim my body as I am a sexual assault survivor so it's a healthy way for me to cope with my PTSD.

"In the past, I suffered in silence for a very long time because I was young. There was a lot of shame and I didn't know how to use my voice, so it took me a long time to heal myself, which I did on my own for many years.

"I've overcome many, many things, and I think a lot of that had to do with me educating myself and learning to really love myself and what that means.

"For a long time, I used alcohol and substance abuse as a coping mechanism, and art for me has really been the pinnacle of my healing journey.

"I've been getting a lot more traction within the last six months.

Artwork by Veronika Radolovich is available here.

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