What inspired you to create art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
I started painting at the age of 5 with watercolors when I wanted to become an artist. Every summer I spent with my grandmother in the village. I watched how two of my uncles-artists paint landscapes. This action: to paint a beautiful landscape or portrait in an hour impressed and inspired me. Real happiness was when, at the age of 13, my dad bought me an easel, canvases and oil paints. And he began to carry to art school.
What is your artistic background, techniques and themes that you have experimented with so far?
I graduated from the Art Academy of Arts. Department of monumental painting. Where they studied and tried different directions and techniques: frescoes: wall painting on dry and wet plaster, painting on gesso, glaze painting on ceramics, stained glass. All this was very interesting. But most of all I liked to paint landscapes and portraits. Then there was work in creative workshops, where I already did what I was interested in at that time: portraits and compositions on a religious theme, a series of works on the theme of hunting with falcons and old guns. Then there were many searches and experiments.
What 3 aspects set you apart from other artists, making your work unique?
I still continue to experiment with techniques and styles. Now the distinguishing feature is the positive. Art influences our life. I like to fill myself and the space with interesting pleasant images and a beautiful combination of colors.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Inspiration comes from the world around us: nature, people, beautiful interiors, architecture, beautiful landscapes, sometimes artists inspire. I write what causes me strong positive emotions.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
I try to focus my attention on what pleases and delights me, charges me with positive. Yes, I like to splash my joyful feelings on the canvas and share it with the audience. Art influences the development of society as a whole. I strive to do no harm. Highlight and enhance that which evokes feelings of joy, calmness, or inspires achievement that can benefit people.
What is the process of creating your work? Spontaneously or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics, etc.)?
20 years ago I worked with a long preparatory process: complex technical, inspired by the classics of art. Realism prevailed there. Today it happens spontaneously, without a preparatory process. I define for myself several directions and topics that I am interested in working on in the near future. I like to write a paper in one or two days. Even if it's a large format.
Do you use a certain working technique? if yes, can you explain?
I have several areas of creativity and, accordingly, several working techniques.
To create portraits, this is just a bright acrylic palette. Using wide brushes and a spatula, I quickly paint bright paint onto the canvas. Concentration and speed are important here in order to convey emotions, an impression.
When working on expression, abstraction, I use the technique of dripping and splashing paint on a horizontal surface. I make some abstractions with a spatula, without a preliminary drawing. I use acrylic paints on canvas.
Are there any innovative aspects to your work? Can you tell us which ones?
I used to have innovative aspects. The work took a long time. I made a complex layered texture using plaster, special rollers and varnish before making a realistic drawing. But after getting acquainted with the works of contemporary artists on the Internet, I abandoned this technique in favor of fast, spontaneous painting.
Do you have the most convenient format or medium? if yes, why?
Formats are different. Mostly small: 100x100 cm, 100x120 cm, 100x140 cm. This is due to the fact that now I work in a small workshop. There are now more acrylics on canvas than oil paintings.
Where do you produce your work? At home, in a shared workshop or in your own workshop? And in this space, how do you organize your creative work?
My workshop is at home. This is a small room. Given my needs to write in large formats, I'm thinking about creating a larger space to work with.
Does your job take you to travel to meet new collectors, fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
For 5 years now I have been immersed in the process of selling my work through online galleries. I stopped participating in offline exhibitions and fairs. As a result, I stopped traveling. It brought me much more income and satisfaction. But in the future, I do not exclude the possibility of making exhibitions offline again.
How do you see your work and career as an artist evolving in the future?
It is difficult for me to imagine the evolution of my work and career as an artist in the future. After all, looking back, I did not think that my work and priorities would change so much.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest work of art?
The work that I am painting today: Portrait of King Charles 3 in the crown. I use one of my favorite techniques: a quick and spontaneous application of bright, multi-colored acrylic paint on canvas with wide brushes and a spatula, in the style of Pop Art.
Tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
The most interesting personal exhibition was in Lünen, Germany. It was unexpected, on my birthday, when I turned 30 years old. I didn't plan it. I was called by an influential person whom I did not know and said that the booklets had already been printed and everything was ready for the exhibition, the inviting party pays for everything: it included, the road, transportation of paintings, accommodation, meals, buffet, advertising, press and trip to the Amsterdam Museum. All I had to do was pack the pictures. There was no time to think. At the exhibition, almost all the paintings were miraculously sold. This was a pleasant surprise. A real miracle.
If you could create a famous piece of art history, what would it be? And why ?
I have not yet thought about creating famous works. I hope someday I will make it easy and fast.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or living) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
If I could invite the famous artist Demian Hirst to dinner, then the evening might have tried painting. They would arrange a collaboration: drawing one picture together, and film it all on video.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
