What motivated you to become an artist? What is your path?
My artistic path began at the age of 6, when my father was given two large landscapes painted in oil paints - I stood for a long time in front of them, fascinated by the beauty of the paintings themselves and the technique of execution. It also influenced the theme of my whole oeuvre - the translation of natural impressions into an abstract pictorial plane.
What are the 3 things that set you apart from other artists ?
1. I am not afraid to experiment. And I don't just mean experimenting within a single style, but experimenting with painterly materials that can suddenly take an artist on a new path. Experimentation is more important to me than strict adherence to a style, although all my works have characteristic features. 2. Self-identity. I don't belong to any famous school, but I studied art a lot and it was more applied than theoretical. I studied theory on my own, as well as art history, which gives us a lot of philosophical food for thought. 3. 3. I only work when I am full of energy, so I make sure that my emotional state is stable on a daily basis, so that creativity, my daily work, brings me joy and the possibility to express myself to the viewer.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I draw inspiration from natural processes, from static species and individual natural elements to global processes such as changing natural landscapes.
Tell us about the design of your work, do you have long preparations or is it rather spontaneous?
I would say that I combine long preparations and leave room for spontaneity in my work. I work with hand sketches and collages of paper and mixed media, I observe and study a lot and experiment with formats, but within the same series I always keep the consistency of style, format and technique.
What do you want to show in your work?
It depends on the series, but what they all have in common is the influence of natural processes and objects on each other and on all who inhabit our planet.
Do you use unusual methods or materials in your work?
Yes, and I am constantly experimenting with them. I use sand, coffee, textured pastes, fabric, stones, threads and paints. That's how I try to convey volumetric sensations in my work.
Do you have a favorite format? Why?
Yes, it's a 70x70 cm square canvas. It's my ideal format to organize my microcosm and properly explore my chosen theme. Not too big a format to spread out, but not too small to not hold myself back either.
What challenges do you face in your work?
As I said, I work on a daily basis, stability in my work state is my priority, if I keep it my work is very fruitful, which in turn gives me the strength and energy to move forward in my work.
How do you work? At home, in a shared studio or in your own workshop?
My studio is set up in my home but it is very confined to my space and it is very comfortable for work and life, as for me art is life.
Do you have to travel a lot due to your work as an artist ?
Traveling was more common before the pandemic, but now I am planning a series of events involving my paintings, and hopefully in the near future the issue of travel will be resolved positively.
What has been the most wonderful moment of your career ?
A few years ago I made the decision to move completely into abstract art and I did a series of completely different sketches inspired by the mountain landscapes of America. When I showed them to my teacher, an experienced abstract painter, he was thrilled with them and said I could take any direction as he saw my great potential in this area of art. Only a few months after that meeting, a large gallery in St. Petersburg offered me a solo show. In spite of the attendance restrictions due to the covid situation several big paintings were acquired by collectors. It was an amazing experience and a lot of valuable feedback from different people.
How do you see your work in ten years ?
In 10 years, as in 5 or 20, I will be doing art, expanding and deepening my knowledge of the world and the sensations of it, so that then, after letting it pass through me, I can share my visual and sensory experience with the viewer. But there is also the mystery of what form this will take. And this uncertainty excites me greatly.
What are you working on now? Are you planning an exhibition soon?
I am currently working on a large series of large format works called "Habitat of Natural Forms". In this series I explore the habitat of natural forms that I literally find in northern nature. I am interested in the parts of this nature as they are, so I use sand, branches, and natural fabrics to organize all these objects in my compositions and minimize my involvement in their existence. At the end of this series, I plan to organize an exhibition along with other series of works on the theme of natural forms.
If you could create a masterpiece of art history, which one would you choose ?
I think it would be something revolutionary and philosophical, one of the breakthrough works of Picasso or Juan Gris, after rejecting figurative painting. It's hard for me to single out anything in particular.
If you could invite a famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would you choose?
I would invite Joan Miró. There is an undying interest in nature in his work and also, despite the southern flavor in which he lived his whole life, there is a lot of "nice coolness" and contrasts in his works, a curious nuance that inspires me a lot.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
