What inspired you to create art and become an artist? (Events, feelings, experiences...)
There was no specific inspiration or initial spark that brought me to artistic work. Rather, it was ingrained in me from childhood, an urge to create that was naturally just there and has been with me ever since at various stages, shaping my life.
What is your artistic background, what techniques and themes have you experimented with so far?
At the age of 12, I wished for my first oil painting box, as I wanted to emulate my great idols (Rembrandt in particular at the time). Gradually I learned autodidactically the classical layer painting in oil, trying also to copy pictures of old masters. Of course, I did not really succeed, but I learned a lot about technical subtleties. Later I pursued my own motifs with it, first landscapes, still lifes and animals, also drawing in charcoal and pencil. My technical - and also thematic - repertoire became ever wider and freer. In the process, I discovered my preference for acrylic painting, because here I can implement ideas faster and more straightforward. Finally, my creative urge led to my studies, which I completed in 1992 as a graduate designer. Since then I have been working as a freelance graphic artist, illustrator, designer and painter.
What 3 aspects distinguish you from other artists and make your work unique?
My themes and motifs are already quite special, not even for every taste. I am not interested in painting beautiful and pleasing images to serve an audience with them. Many of my paintings are unwieldy and can only be understood at second or third glance. My combination of painterly parts with comc-like and graphic elements is also unusual.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I often have ideas in dreams or meditative states, one emotion of which is linked to certain pictorial ideas. In addition, memories, observations of people and global developments that move me very much. In the process, a kind of "inner imagery" emerges, from which I can draw indefinitely, as it is constantly fed.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
Everyone perceives images differently and once an image is brought into the world, it takes on a life of its own that cannot be controlled. Basically, something absurd prevails in my pictures, which implies a suggestion of threat. We all feel this threat without constantly being aware of it. Despite this uncertainty, life is also full of beautiful moments that also accompany us. I am particularly interested in the space in between, or the point in time when conditions can develop for the good or even for the bad. What are inevitable developments and what can we determine ourselves? I would like to represent the moment, before the condition tips. In which direction, the viewer determines for himself. The picture should involve the viewer, so that he wants to look at it again and again - then I have achieved my goal.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparation process (technical, inspiration by art classics or other)?
Often the work on the canvas is preceded by sketches, sometimes even very concrete. So I plan my paintings, but leave all avenues open in the process of implementation, so that sometimes a completely different image emerges, of which I myself am surprised.
Do you use a particular technique of work? if so, can you explain?
I prefer very simple means: acrylic paints on canvas. In doing so, I pre-paint linearly, often in a particular color that will later be dominant, and then usually work my way from light to dark.
Are there innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
i don't think innovation should be the aspiration in painting. Rather, what matters is to capture the inexpressible, the invisible, in a painting. Once you have achieved that, there is no need for any innovative techniques or other superficial effects.
Do you have a format or medium that you feel most comfortable with? if so, why?
I very much like formats between 80 cm to 120 cm, because here I can keep a good overview and don't have to work too small. Getting lost in details is not my thing. At this size, I can also sometimes proceed freely and powerfully, while immersing myself well in the picture so that I can feel it.
Where do you produce your works? At home, in a shared workshop, or in your own workshop? And how do you organize your creative work in this space?
At home, where I have a small studio, and in my studio, which I run with a partner, depending on space and mood.
Does your work take you traveling to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
So far I haven't had much trade show experience, but will definitely get more as I've developed an appetite for it and have had the opportunity to meet great people. Let's see what the future brings - I remain very excited.
How do you envision your work and career as an artist developing in the future?
First, I would like to continue painting and producing images. I myself am curious to see where this journey will take me. Of course, I also dream of making a good living from painting and gaining a higher profile with a wide audience. Some recognitions encourage me and give me strength and hope.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
Like many of my paintings, my current emerging painting is retro with absurd, alienating mood. Two nearly identical women behind a counter seem to be serving the viewer with a most peculiar commodity. It is an indefinable mixture between organs, corals or minerals laid out in some kind of jelly or liquid. In the background are men who seem to be absorbed in work. In front, one of the entities lies on the ground. A friendly aspect is superficially seen here, but at the same time an eerie feeling is associated with it. A mood of "good old days" coupled with the ominous developments of modernity - one of my favorite themes.
Can you tell us about your most important trade show experience?
I was a fair participant last year in Constance on Lake Constance and had many good conversations and great feedback there.
If you could have created a famous work of art history, which one would you choose? And why ?
Basically, I only want to identify with my own paintings and not diminish the respect and humility for outstanding works by slipping into the role of the creator. However, there are already many works that touch me, especially works of modern and contemporary art.
If you could invite a famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
I would very much like to spend dinner with Neo Rauch and chat about art and life. I would also love to hear his opinion on a couple of my paintings. His work has deeply impressed me and in some ways influenced me. So a critique of it would be extremely important to me.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
