Artist Mari Dein reflects on her creative inspirations, workflow, and the mistakes she’s made along the way.
Everyone has a unique story to share, and Shutterstock has the assets that allow you to share it. That’s why this holiday season, we’re inviting you to receive 25% off, site-wide, as part of our Share Your Colors campaign. Simply enter code SHARE 25 at checkout. Click here to learn more.
***
Even in 2D, Mari Dein‘s oil paintings are rich in texture—thick and chunky, with strokes that are at turns sweeping and contained. She practices the impasto technique, which means she applies her colors with a palette knife rather than a brush.
She also works with liquid, using alcohol ink and epoxy resin to create pieces that look as if they were cut from magical slabs of marble.
“I have been drawing since childhood,” Mari says of her creative roots. “My father and grandfather are artists.”
Here, the Russia-based painter responds to our Share Your Colors questionnaire.
I started thinking of myself as an artist … when others began to call me one.
I like to think of my work as … spontaneous. I have practiced a lot and made a lot of mistakes—and continue to make them—so that my work will look easy in the end. The only way to do something well is to be patient and keep doing it.
I’m drawn to abstract art because … it attracts with its emotionality. It is like a reflection of the feelings that inspired it.
The color combination I can’t get enough of is … shades of pink and blue or turquoise. In the ink technique, I like to use metallics because they resemble the natural textures of earth and sand.
The color that best captures my personality is … most recently, turquoise. It is calm, it knows how to connect the composition, it revives. In different states and periods of time, I associate myself with different colors.
I find inspiration from … different things. Nature, its views, and its textures. My daughter, other artists, dialogue with my husband.
The most challenging thing about being an artist is … Trying to constantly go beyond and continue to experiment in your own technique (or in another). Trying to combine several professions: artist, manager, stocker, curator.
The ritual I have when working is … listening to music and singing along.
My workflows goes like this … First, I find inspiration or receive an order. Then, I research. Then, I select the palette and the choice of the format. Then, I purchase materials (if there are not enough in the studio). In the studio, I prepare the workplace, select music, and start to work.
When there is a painting that needs to be worked on, I try to devote at least three hours a day to it (I could have spent all day before the birth of my daughter). But, between paintings, I try to rest. There was a time when I burned out and then it was difficult to return to work.
I’d describe my workspace as … as light as possible. There is a lot of space and air—this is important. Many windows. There are a lot of shelves and cabinets. Several tables for versatile work and a trolley for paints. I always lay out everything I need very carefully, but in the process of working, the space becomes a mess.
The last creative risk I took was … a year ago. I took up an order for eighteen paintings (from one meter to two meters in size). It had to be done in an incredibly tight timeframe. Everything worked out with the help of the family.
The last time I failed as an artist was … This month. I made a logistical mistake sending my work to another country. As a result, the work arrived later than the planned date. I explained to the customer, he understood.
When I’m not painting … I look for information on future work, take notes and sketches. I read information about exhibitions and see the work of other artists. When I’m not busy with work, I spend time with my family—we try to travel, watch movies together, play games, meet friends.
My advice to other artists is … I do not believe that it is my right to give advice. All artists have their own path and there is no common formula for success. But, keep trying.
My favorite piece from my Shutterstock collection is … impossible to choose. Even choosing my favorite ten is very difficult. No matter how trivial it sounds, I put a part of myself in the work I do. And, looking at the pictures, I almost always feel the echo of that part.
Cover image via Mari Bein.
The post Share Your Colors: The Abstract Oil Painter appeared first on The Shutterstock Blog.