What inspired you to create works of art and to become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
The common thread in my life is a father who turned his back on me when I was 11 and who has always abandoned this life, even though he has three children. This was the start of my career as a painter and I created my path from total sorrow to total happiness by creating. I am therefore an artist who needs to create. For me, art is like breathing, I can't live otherwise.
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
I've been creating paintings, sculptures, concrete tables and more for over 40 years now. I use materials in an adventurous way, I experiment. I first work with small pieces of glass or gold powders and pigments and if that does not give me enough satisfaction at that point, then the next work of art will most certainly contain another raw material. I am self-taught as far as I learn to perfect myself and I really like that.
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
My work consists mainly of movements and very fine lines. Add to that the choice of bright colors and the result is a work of art by Caroline Vis. When I'm in front of a work of art, which is usually large, I need to be able to feel its movement and it needs to touch me deeply. On the other hand, I think anyone looking at my artwork has the right to think, feel and experience whatever they desire. I usually share 80% of the feelings I have for them, but I can also shut up if they touch me too closely.
Where does your inspiration come from?
In general, I'm most inspired when I'm touched by an emotion, whether it's happiness, sadness or upset, whatever. It makes me restless and keeps me awake at night. All sorts of things start happening in my mind, and the realization of these nighttime thoughts can bring me a lot of happiness, but also a lot of sadness. Rarely is a work of art created perfectly as you envisioned it. Moreover, it is not always easy to have an idea in mind and then have to make it happen.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
As an artist, what matters most to you is creating out of chaos and being touched by it; if you achieve this, then you know that there will definitely be more people in this world who will be touched by the sight of the artwork. Still, I take it easy, I'm certainly very honored when a viewer is impressed and makes a purchase. That means he shares my sense of creation, but if I'm being completely honest, 40 years ago I would paint over beautiful artwork just because I needed to create, as you need to breathe. At the beginning, I always create for myself and I am very touched that collectors want to invest in this work of art.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?
Inspiration appears at times you don't always expect. For example, if I drop a glass on the kitchen floor and see "the world" in it, I can't help but incorporate it into a work of art.
Do you use a particular working technique? if so, can you explain it?
I have been using everything I can find at home for years, which is of course also explained by the fact that during my first years I only created at night and the shops are not open at night, which forces you to think outside the box to get what you want. Many pigments and gold powders, inks and pieces of glass have also been added to my works
Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
I've progressed over the years, and have been working with aluminum stretchers and high-quality, factory-direct canvases for a long time. I started working in larger and larger formats and I like to work in 200cm x 200cm formats. Many pigments and gold powders, inks and pieces of glass have also been added to my works. In addition, you always try to surpass yourself, which can sometimes even be an obstacle. In order to grow and learn, you must give yourself permission to create and grow regardless of gender.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? if yes, why ?
The works of art are big, taller and imposing. These are challenges and I need to be triggered. There is also a strong demand in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, but also in Europe and Switzerland. I now exhibit in 22 countries and collectors contact me with large format orders, which I in turn carry out with pleasure.
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 just opened a new art studio and personal gallery, on the beautiful coast of Brittany in Ploubazlanec, right on the splendid coastline of Ile de Bréhat / Arcouest, as many say a piece of heaven on earth. Here I have space to exhibit and create in my new art studio. It was a former post office, so it is spacious and its location, 2 km from Paimpol, allows me to choose between calm and tranquility or contact with the population.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
I have been in the art market since 2015 and at the beginning I was completely online, although I went from time to time to art fairs, such as the one in Cannes, you will find on my CV some nice exhibitions but the majority of my works are offered on the best platforms, collectors know the way to the internet. It's just great that now people can also meet me personally, and it gives me energy and happiness!
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
In the meantime, I have obtained the I-CAC certification and a lot of publications are taking place, and I also have a large professional network via LinkedIn, which is international and professional, and I feel comfortable there. This will give me the opportunity to grow in my career.
One of my biggest goals in life is to be able to attend many concerts and cultural events internationally. When I stand in the Guggenheim Museum in Venice and find myself silent, I am touched to the bone and it gives me a momentum that is hard to describe. However, after such a visit, I can't wait to be able to create. It has value in my life and I am very grateful for it.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
At the moment I'm in a blue period and I also create a lot with gold elements, I think it's really due to the environment, you see the sea go from deep black to clear aqua, that gives me touch, I notice that I am in a phase where the emotions I float on often consist of sincere gratitude, after all, life is so short, it is really important to live your dream and not to dream your life.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
As an artist I often find exhibitions tedious, I like to let the viewer look and experience, which is what many collectors do, but there are also many people who want to know everything first, which is what i was thinking when i created the artwork, then, without always knowing what it will do to your interlocutor, you should say that you, as an artist, find it much more important that the viewer does it himself the experience of the work of art and that he can feel and think what he wishes with this work. It's not always easy, as I'm quite direct in my approach and often an open person in a conversation.
In my personal life that is certainly a positive thing, but in a conversation with a collector it can also be a liability, although many collectors really appreciate it. Artists are always a bit eccentric, even if they don't always want to admit it, an artist doesn't always fit into a mould.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why ?
What is strange is that I am very impressed by our old masters, which is perhaps also due to the fact that I have visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam several times, since I am Dutch and married to a Frenchman, which explains why I live in France. It's like music to me, I can listen to classical music in the evening and walk into my studio in the morning to create a large painting to the rock music of U2. For example, I greatly appreciate the works of the greatest masters, be it Rembrandt or Jan Steen or Vermeer's jewel.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
I would probably invite a poet or a musician, I need to be spellbound. I most often create while listening to the music of U2, so inviting Bono to dinner would be an honor for me.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
