Love in All Its Facets - with manamolotov
For many, February is the month of love. Hearts, flowers, and romantic gestures are everywhere. But at avonté, we asked ourselves: What does love really mean - beyond romantic relationships? What lies behind it? What lessons does it hold for us? And what role does it play in our everyday lives, within ourselves, and in how we experience the world?
For this special month, we invited the artist and illustrator manamolotov to share her thoughts on love with us.
manamolotov - An Artist Portrait
manamolotov is an illustrator, an artist, and a woman we admired long before founding avonté.
She began her career as a surgeon but, after more than three years and a burnout, consciously decided to give space to her true passion: art. Since 2021, she has been living and working in Cologne as a freelance artist and illustrator.
Her style? Light, delicate, with black ink - a blend of architecture, fashion, and fine details that tell stories.
Years ago, I heard her speak at a panel talk and was deeply impressed. Perhaps even then, she subconsciously inspired me to follow my own path courageously.
Looking back at the obstacles Manamolotov faced to do what she truly wanted, for me this is an act of self-love:
Loving oneself
Following your inner voice
Despite fear, doubt, or external expectations
For me, one of the most powerful forms of love.
Great Love
In February, when love surrounds us from every side, we asked manamolotov: “What is great love?”
“Love in a bigger sense is the most important. Not tying it only to one person - putting all your hope into a single person - leads to disappointment. The key is to see yourself as part of this larger whole.
Even if sometimes I feel that love isn’t fully at home with me - it is always within me.
I see people and can give them love. Plants, animals, nature in general, mountains, the sea - this overwhelming feeling that flows through the whole body.
Tears, for me, are an expression of unexpressed love. The many tears I carry show me how much love I have and how ready I am to give it.
You have to be careful who receives it. But I believe in great love. Love can’t be missed. It’s waiting for you.
I’ve gone through many storms to love this gently.”
Heartbreak – How Does a Heart Heal?
We’ve all experienced heartbreak: shattered dreams, broken hearts, the feeling that we’ll never heal. And yet, somehow, life moves on.
We asked Manamolotov: “How does your heart heal?”
“Enduring the pain – without thinking you’ll die – is only possible for me through art.
Music that makes me feel connected to the person who created it.
Films that translate pain into colors and stories and show me I am not alone.
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky – 180 years old, yet the pain is still the same.
I often ask myself if writing it all down helps. Writing lets you live twice – but does it also make you suffer twice? Or does it free you?
Does it belong to my present pain that I think, write, and review so much? Is it masochistic to force myself to remember?
Like a wound that reopens just as it begins to heal. Like a doctor reminding a patient of the pain – delaying the healing.
‘Yes, it’s still there. Good that you reminded me, Doctor.’”
First Love
We asked Manamolotov: “What do you remember about your first love?”
“The first thing I ever loved were probably cartoon characters.
I always thought: one day I want to work for Disney. I also thought I’d win the Nobel Prize.
From an early age, I was drawn to the works of authors, scientists, and artists – Jules Verne’s imagination, Albert Einstein’s genius, van Gogh’s inner turmoil.
I was in love with the masculinity of Paul Newman and the elegance of David Niven.
Probably nerdy – but that’s the only way I can describe it. My first classic, big romantic love? Not really.”
Perhaps love sometimes doesn’t start with a person.
But with an idea.
With admiration.
With a longing for greatness, beauty, depth.
Self-Love
And then we asked: “What does self-love mean to you?”
“I’m probably not the best person to talk about self-love.
It’s hard for me to take care of myself or do something good for myself.
My greatest act of self-love is probably letting go of people who hurt me – and leaving places that don’t serve me.”
Self-love isn’t always candles, baths, or affirmations.
It can be radical. Silent. Sometimes painful.
It means setting boundaries, taking yourself seriously, and leaving when staying would betray yourself.
Thank You, Manamolotov
For your openness, your thoughts, and your beautiful illustrations. You remind us how much love exists in every moment, within ourselves, and in the world around us.
À vontade - make yourself feel at home!
Pia & Marlene
