What inspired you to create art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
I have been drawing since childhood, I cannot imagine my life without paints, canvas, paper, pencils, the material is not important - the main thing is to draw. For me it’s like breathing, I throw out my emotions, on the contrary, I relax and fill up.
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
I have a professional education. I graduated from art school, then from the art and graphic faculty of the university. I tried different techniques in my work: I liked graphics, impressionism did not let me go for a long time. Gradually, impressionism gave way to cubism. Still lifes and landscapes are my favorites!
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
I work with my unique style of geometric cubism. These are clear edges and shapes. I break down each shape into separate segments and show the viewer how much the shape of an object depends on color and vice versa, how color affects shape.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Now I live on the island of eternal fame Tenerife. Something is constantly blooming here, some bright colors of nature replace others. Endemic plants, coniferous forests, lunar landscapes in front of a volcano, tropical jungle thickets - all this is the Canary Islands! The Atlantic Ocean never ceases to amaze with its beauty, power, strength, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Tenerife is my place of power and a source of creative inspiration!
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
My eyes decompose surrounding objects into individual elements and components. I invite the viewer to join the game, put together the puzzle themselves, and the most interesting thing is that everyone can have their own result! My geometric paintings are like puzzles, with different final options!
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?
My technique of work is a rather long process! First a sketch, then a line on the canvas, then an underpainting with primary colors and then the most interesting and time-consuming part - working with each element. Acrylic is my favorite material, it allows you to create clear edges, dries quickly, has a large bright palette and good coverage.
Do you use a particular work technique? if so, can you explain it?
Canvas, brushes, acrylic and palette knife are my main tools. After I apply several layers of paint to the canvas, I “shape” the edges with a palette knife, giving the element a clear shape.
Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
Artificial intelligence is entering our modern life! I use AI for references, set the desired process and get the desired result. This greatly simplifies the work, since in my technique the main role is played by the correct form and the correct decomposition of the form into segments.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? if yes, why ?
I like to work on different canvas formats. I create small format triptychs and quatriptychs; drawing small details is a kind of meditation for me! I also love large formats; these are interior paintings that always look impressive indoors.
Where do you produce your works? At home, in a shared workshop or in your own workshop? And in this space, how do you organize your creative work?
I have a workshop in my own home. This is a space with natural light, with a large terrace overlooking the ocean, where it is ideal to take photos and videos of your paintings. I try to start work as early as possible in the morning, while there is no blazing sun, and I continue painting in the afternoon, when there is no longer direct sunlight. It’s good that I can work outdoors almost all year round!
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
At the moment I am focusing my creative process on online galleries. Since it covers a large number of buyers, collectors around the world. I don’t miss the opportunity to visit new art exhibitions and fairs, it’s always new acquaintances and new energy.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
I think that it is important for every artist that his works are recognizable, so that the signature style of the creator can be read at first glance! I want my works to be presented in collections around the world!
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
Currently I am working on a series of paintings "SUMMER TIME". These are summer landscapes, the beach, the sea, the pool, the sun, smiling children and the mood of a vacation.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
Recently, I remember an exhibition that we held together with a local restaurant in the south of Tenerife in 2021 in the post-coronavirus period. People really miss communication, bright colors, emotions and smiles without masks.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why ?
My geometric style in my work is a bit like stained glass! I would like to create a sketch for a large stained glass window with a floral theme on an old building! It could be a library, an office, a beautiful architectural structure, or even a church. Passers-by outside and inside would look at my work of art in the rays of dawn and sunset, in the summer heat and in the rainy autumn.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
This spring I had a vacation in the Netherlands, and of course visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. I want to invite Vincent to the open air, I want to learn from him how to skillfully combine numbers, and invite him to paint a picture in my technique of geometric cubism.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
| ArtMajeur Magazine
