Figurative painter Archives - Page 2 of 7

“When you work on something for a long time, magic happens, beauty happens.”~ Maria Kreyn INTERVIEW WITH MARIA KREYN, FIGURATIVE PAINTER New York City: Deanna Elaine Piowaty: Do you think we are afraid to find ourselves beautiful? To find life beautiful? Is it your sense that we tend to put more trust in ugliness? Maria…

“I grew up in a neighborhood where the values of the people were mainly based on a sexist structure. It was also a violent atmosphere where the strongest children stood out. In that environment, it was preferable to keep quiet any artistic or creative inquisitiveness, or risk being judged or banished.”

DEANNA ELAINE PIOWATY: “Your definition of ‘beauty’?”
PAM HAWKES: “Surfaces that I want to stroke, touch or lick.”

Agostino Arrivabene, "Martyrium. S.Dorotea," Oil on linen, cm 70x50

What is it about a particular painting, poem, photograph, piece of music, dance performance that sets us so on fire? There’s clearly an alchemy at work here which cannot be contrived or predicted, a mixing of what the artist brings forth from the imagination, together with what we ourselves carry to the experience: our own unique psychology, personal history, those all-but-forgotten stories from our past.

The following, then, is a very personal pick list of those who have resonated both with my readers and myself, artists and writers who shared with us, through their work and interviews here, precious glimpses into their psyches and souls: sometimes tender and exquisite, other times painful, even disquieting, but always courageous, insightful, honest.

“Making a man happy, for more than a few seconds after consumption, is not very interesting to a consumer society; for them an unsatisfied man is preferable. Beauty and art, therefore, is fundamental therapy today.”

“I like the juxtaposition of a cold story in a warm light. It creates confusion and room to explore.”

“My work is personal, containing symbols and codes for things that are taking place in my life or what I yearn for. The stakes are high, so when others disapprove of your work, they essentially disapprove of you. It is a great risk. The life of an artist is full of self-doubt and isolation. Yet this is a part of everyone’s experience.”

“I like to entertain the idea that we live the same lives over and over. This is the thought behind this painting: that we live our lives in these circles, and all of our time will be experienced again.”

“I think synchronicities are most noticeable when we look backward. In the moment, our experiences can feel disjointed, especially when the unexpected happens. But when you stand from a higher vantage point looking backward, the individual pieces of your experience fit together with a poetic elegance that just feels right.”

“I am, of course, not entirely sure of what is going on in these images because, were I too certain, I would have no need to attempt them. But the dissatisfaction, or ‘frustration,’ as you call it, is very much a necessary ingredient. Maybe even the only ingredient.”

“Having children has meant that I don’t spend time on motifs which are not so interesting. There has to be more content.”

“I’m a deep believer in physical rituals as a way to understand our world. Painting is a way for me to understand my own life.”

'Combustus'....What happens when creative and inquisitive minds come together.