What motivated you to become an artist? What is your path?
The desire to make money from painting. I've been painting since I was a child. I used to think that if I had started at 29 I would have had many successful paintings, but now I realize that painting is more of a life experience, and of course an older person has more observation and understanding of life. That can help. Or it may not help at all. It depends on how lucky you are. Right now I really want to paint a zombie and a ninja. They are two different pictures. But I'll probably paint nudes so someone will buy the painting.
What are the 3 things that set you apart from other artists ?
Creativity, versatility, intelligence.
Where does your inspiration come from?
From my head and what I see and learn. I'm interested in a lot of topics that are completely opposite.
Tell us about the design of your work, do you have a long preparatory work or is it rather spontaneous?
I am spontaneous, but some paintings I can't finish for many months. It's usually hard for me to make realistic paintings, it's very boring for me. Of course, I like to make a painting quickly. Then I hang it on the wall and look at it for months. Every now and then I think I need to add some tiny dot, I put it in and oh my god! it can ruin everything. It's very agonizing. It's much nicer to eat cake in a café with friends.
What do you want to show in your work?
Balance of form and color. I make beautiful clear aligned forms and know how to combine chaos and order in the same picture. Usually the idea is not the same as the result, it even takes me a while to get used to my work.
Do you use unusual methods or materials in your work?
I use a rust brush. The brush scratches into the paint. Sometimes it looks like claw marks and I make up some creepy legend for that picture. Some kind of horror story that's scarier. (Just kidding.)
Do you have a favorite format? Why?
I like more elongated paintings or square paintings, they give more room for spectacular composition.
What challenges do you face in your work?
Painting is expensive, requires a lot of space and cannot be combined with a full-time job. But it takes money to paint pictures. And an artist has to work for five professionals, you have to know how to make a painting, how to tell your story and how to sell your work. That's something you have to learn. To paint a picture is only a small part of the job.
How do you work? At home, in a shared studio or in your own studio?
I only have a small room of 12 square meters. There's my bed, table, clothes hangers, three chests of drawers, computer, ironing board, sewing machine and a light easel. It's very hard to even see the painting in its entirety, there's nowhere to step back to look from afar. It's hard, I hang the paintings on the walls to dry. I can wake up in the morning and see paint on my face or my pillow. And I don't like to wash my brushes, but it has to be done or they will dry out and ruin. My paintings have big sprawling strokes - that's because I use paint brushes with uneven bristles. I told you my secret.
Do you have to travel a lot due to your work as an artist?
No, painting doesn't pay me to travel
What was the most beautiful moment of your career?
When my first buyer called me and said he wanted to meet immediately to buy my painting, I was very happy and then after the sale I couldn't stop smiling. It's a good feeling, I want to do that more often.
How do you see your work in ten years ?
My style may change because my eyesight will be worse because of my age.
What are you working on now? Are you planning an exhibition soon?
My paintings are currently in two exhibitions in my city. Next year I am thinking about a new exhibition, it will be just cats. But I have to paint some new cats for the exhibition. I'm going to do a new kitty now.
If you could create a masterpiece of art history which one would you choose ?
I already have a masterpiece, it's a SEAL who came to see what's going on here.
If you could invite a famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would you choose ?
I would like to have dinner with Jeff Coors. I like his approach to art, maybe he could teach me something.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
| ArtMajeur Magazine
