Artist Interview: OIL PAINTINGS CHRISTA

I am very pleased to introduce you to a lovely and talented artist! Christa is based in Greece and she is of Greek and German origins. Besides being a very talented artist, Christa is a wonderful person and she loves animals and nature. As soon as I first saw her paintings, I was captured by their vivid colors, by the evident love for life, nature, people and animals that this artist expresses, and by that charming, "naïve" quality of her paintings. They spoke to my heart. Christa works under her own brand Oil Paintings Christa, and  here she shares her artistic journey and inspiration with us!
Welcome Christa!

She Grows

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?
Wie bist Du zu Kunst und Kreativität gekommen? Wie hat Dein Weg in die Kunst und Kreativität begonnen?

That’s a good question. Painting has been in me since my childhood. I used to paint everywhere… on paper, on the table, and my favourite place were the walls. I think I have taken after my mother.

Das ist eine gute Frage. Malerei war in mir schon als Kind drin. Ich malte überall. Auf Papiere, auf dem Tisch, und mein Lieblingsplatz waren die  Wände. Ich glaube, ich habe diese Bedenken von meiner Mutter geerbt.

Relaxes

- When and how did you realize this was your real life path?

Wie und wann hast Du verstanden, dass dies Dein echter Lebensweg war?

When I lost my job 5 years ago (2008), and suddenly my life was full of free time!!! I said loud – “Now you have time for what you love!”. I started taking painting lessons from a friend and painter, Mr Gerontas. After that, I began with my first doodles.

Als ich meinen Job verloren habe vor 5 Jahren (2008), und plötzlich wurde mein Leben voll mit  freier Zeit!!! Ich sagte ganz laut-‚ ”Jetzt hast du Zeit für das, was du liebts“. Ich begann Malunterricht bei einem Freund und  Maler, den Hr. Gerontas. Danach begannen die ersten Schmierereien.

Mediterranean Colors

- What are your main sources of inspiration?

Was sind für Dich die Hauptquellen der Inspiration?

Hm… people and animals around me, or photos. The important thing is it makes me happy. And when I notice something, I think “How could I paint that?” or “I’m going to paint this!”. It’s odd, but I can’t paint when I’m sad.

Hm……Menschen und Tiere um mich herum oder Fotos. Hauptsache es macht mir Freude. Und wenn mir etwas auffällt, denke ich, ’’Wie könnte ich es malen’’? Oder…’’dieses mal ich’’. Es ist komisch, aber ich male nicht, wenn ich traurig bin.

Leopard With Her Baby

- We share a big love for animals, how do you express this in your artwork?

Wir haben beide eine große Liebe für Tiere… wie drückst Du dies in Deinem Werk aus?

Oh yes, animals… I admire their nature. How they do everything in a perfect way. Getting an animal on canvas is about my personal feelings too… or a friend’s personal moments that have inspired me.

Oh ja, Tiere. Ich bewundere ihre Natur. Wie perfekt sie alles machen. Dass ich ein Tier auf die Leinwand bringe, das hat auch mit meinen persönlichen Gefühlen zu tun, oder auch mit persönlichen Momenten eine Freundes, die mich gereizt haben.

Gorilla With Her Baby

- How has life affected your art and art affected your life?

Wie hat Dein Leben Deine Kunst beeinflusst, und wie hat wiederum Kunst Dein Leben beeinflusst?

In an absolutely positive way! Everything has become more beautiful and calmer, and especially my inner self. I used to be a very restless person. Art, no matter which kind, does help. And I recommend everybody to give themselves some time for art, and to express themselves through it. Sometimes words are not enough.

Total positiv! Alles ist schöner und vor allem ruhiger geworden, und überhaupt mein Inneres. Ich war ein sehr unruhiger Mensch. Kunst, egal welche, hilft. Und ich rate allen Menschen, sie sollen sich etwas Zeit für die Kunst geben, und sich so ausdrücken. Manchmal reichen die Worte nicht.

Woman on Lake

- Art is about light and color! What are your favorite colors?

Kunst ist Licht und Farbe! Was sind Deine Lieblingsfarben?

Light colors especially. I love blue and green. I think you can see this. I mix them myself and thus I learn more about them.

Helle Farben vor allem. Blau und Grün liebe ich sehr. Ich glaube das sieht man. Ich mische sie selber und so lerne ich mehr davon.

Spring

- How does your home country and in particular Greek art influence your work? Are you inspired by any particular painters?

Wie beeinflusst Dein Heimatland und insbesondere griechische Kunst Dein Werk? Bist Du durch besondere Maler inspiriert?

My home country has a strong influence on me, especially ist nature. As to Greek art, I mostly like the old one. I’m inspired by many painters, especially those who painted details. There are many. I often look at many paintings and I’m curious about everything. I wish I could go back in time, 200 or 300 years, and I could sit next to a painter and could watch him, his colors and his model.

Mein Heimatland beeinflusst mich sehr, und besonders seine Natur. Von Griechischer Kunst, liebe ich mehr die Alte. Bin durch viele Maler inspiriert und vor allem auf die, die Einzelheiten malten. Es sind viele. Ich schaue mir sehr oft viele Bilder an und bin auf alles neugierig. Mein großer Wunsch ist, ich kehre 200 oder 300 Jahre zurück und sitze neben einem Maler und beobachte ihn, seine Farben und sein Modell.

Grandmother at Home

- Did you have a formal training in the arts or attend art courses?

Hattest Du eine formelle Kunstbildung? Hast Du Kunst studiert oder Kunstkurse besucht?

I took training hours from Gerontas. About 6 months. He paints so real, and every day, as I walked by his shop, I had to stop and admire his artwork. So it all started, and we are now friends. Maybe I’m going to take up college some day.

Ich habe Lehrstunden bei Gerontas gemacht. Ungefähr 6 Monate. Er malt so echt, und jeden Tag als ich vor seinem Geschäft vorbei ging, musste ich anhalten und seine Werke bewundern. So fing es an, und wir sind nun auch befreundet. Vielleicht studiere ich eines Tages.

Memories

- Do you have a studio or home studio or particular part of your house you have devoted to your artwork? Where do you paint your artwork?                                                                  
Hast Du ein Atelier oder “home studio” oder einen besonderen Teil Deines Hauses, den Du Deinem Kunstwerk gewidmet hast? Wo malst Du Deine Bilder?                                          

Yes, I have my own corner in our house. In front of me I have a large balcony door, and I can enjoy nature at the same time.                                                                                         

Ja, ich habe meine Ecke in unserem Haus. Vor mir ist eine große Balkontür und ich kann nebenbei die Natur genießen.

Cat

- How/where do you sell your artwork? (galleries, shops, exhibitions, online etc.)                            
Wie/wo vermarktest Du Dein Werk? (Galerien, Ausstellungen, online usw.)                               

I had 5 personal exhibitions. Two were at galleries. And I have participated in group exhibitions as well -- I find them very interesting, because you get to see so much. With personal exhibitions you get to know the painter better. I’m now also selling my work online in two e-shops.
                                                                                                                               
Ich hatte 5 persönliche Ausstellungen. Zwei waren in Galleries. Und habe auch öfters in Gruppenausstellungen mitgemacht, die mich sehr interessieren, weil so sieht man vieles. Bei persönlichen kann man den Maler besser kennenlernen. Nun vermarkte  ich auch online in 2 e-shops.

Forest

Thank you dear Christa for this great and inspiring interview, and for sharing your artistic journey and inspiration! We wish you continued joy, inspiration and success with your art and in your life!
You can find Christa's wonderful original artwork in her Etsy shop and in her Dawanda shop and you can get to know more about her work and her colorful world in her lovely blog.

©AnnukCreations

Experimental Jewelry: VICKYGONART

I love experimental and unconventional jewelry! In this series I'm featuring jewelry artists who work with unconventional materials and techniques, and who see a ring or a pendant as a canvas to express their art and creativity.

Vicky of Vickygonart is a talented painter and jewelry artist from Andalusia, Spain, and one of the very first artists I admired on Etsy. I immediately fell in love with her colorful and cheerful handpainted jewelry, which is a celebration of the Mediterranean lifestyle and color and reflects the Spanish love for life and happy colors. Vicki's work rightly deserves the title of "Wearable Art", as she adorns a woman with unique, one-of-a-kind art pieces. Each and every one of her earrings, pendants, rings and brooches is lovingly handpainted with her distinctive style and choice of colors and motifs.
You can find Vicky's unique Wearable Art in her Etsy shop Vickygonart. Fiesta time... enjoy!

Pandora Bag

 Triangulos

 Sol y Luna

Susi

Pilar

Anik

Estrella

Edurne Violetas 

Jannis

Venus

Artist Interview: NANCY VAN DEN BOOM

Welcome to my January Artist Interview!
Nancy is a talented artist from the Netherlands. On Etsy she works under her own brand Nancy van den Boom - which is her real name, meaning "of the tree" (as the Latin saying goes, "nomen est omen"). She paints wonderful oil paintings, and she recently added a line of wearable art to her production - featuring her original miniature oil paintings.
Nancy's paintings are full of light and color, and I love their rich brushstrokes and the textures. Nature is ever-present in Nancy's art, be it in her wonderful vibrant landscapes full of flowers or in her amazing trees, or in her sweet little animals. Here she shares her artistic journey and inspiration with us!
Welcome Nancy!

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

- I was drawing a lot as a kid already. My Dad used to draw all the time and I think I learned a lot from watching him draw and study. Especially the way he worked with light and shadow…. My Mom kept lots of my drawings from my second year and it is so funny to see how I started and enjoyed drawing heads with legs ;-)

Valley Italy

- When and how did you realize this was your real life path?

- That’s a long story! I did so many other creative things. “Creative things” like modelling with clay, writing stories, filming. I always was interested in creating, but painting stole my heart in 2004. It seems like ages ago, and it is only 6 years ago. Now painting is such a big part of my life.

- What are your main sources of inspiration?

- Everything around me, and that’s quite a lot ;-)
Nature, people, light and dark, other artists work, series of works, films, pictures, anything really.

Oak Tree

- You love painting nature and in particular trees. Is there any particular reason – apart from your name which means “of the tree” :) – for choosing them as your “muse” for your artwork?

- That’s a good question! I am very fond of trees. They fill my heart and when we make long walks I see tiny young trees, struggling for life with so much energy and determination. I see huge trees, centuries old! I love the individuality and character of trees, their different forms, the way the sunlight plays upon their stem, their leaves. The way their image changes in the seasons, their importance in cities, in between the concrete, manmade buildings. Trees are so important to us and I love to make people (even more) aware of that, by showing my colourful interpretations of trees. I hope I can touch people’s hearts with my paintings of trees. And painting them is a wonderful challenge.

Art Necklace 2

- I have noticed that you often paint Italian landscapes... Have you been to Italy?

- Yes, I was in Italy 6 times.....Tuscany......Volterra, Pomarance, Pisa, Bergamo, Cecina, the coast...... I love Italy....big inspiration! Lovely people, wonderful climate (hot!), ahhhh the food!!
You are right, I painted Italy many many times, it brought me almost back there!

Tuscany

- How has life affected your art and art affected your life?

- Very much. I am constantly thinking of what to paint next and this fills up my life, together with the regular (4 days a week) job I have.
And when I paint, I am fully absorbed by it and happy. Playing with form and colour.

Art Necklace Lady with Poppies and Blue Sky

- You have recently added wearable art to your work. What do you like most about painting wearable art?

- To offer a painting in a form of something you can use. Not only hanging it on a wall, but wear it! And because of the tiny size it’s affordable: tiny canvas, tiny amount of paint ;-) and choose a nice pendant for it.
The idea that for instance customers who bought a necklace pick up my necklace from their drawer and wear it and are glad with it, is very rewarding in a different way than knowing a painting is on a wall. It’s more personal of course. A lady who bought a brooch with a robin, told me that the brooch has a special place in her home, when she’s not wearing it. I like that idea very much and it makes me proud that she enjoys it, wearing it and decorating her home.

Art Brooch Blackbird

- Art is about light and color! What are your favourite colors?

- I love combinations like blue and yellow, red and green….(sky and sunflowers, poppies and grass). I do not blend the colours so much. Often I use the pure colours, that’s why my paintings are very vibrant. Like the cadmiumred of poppies. I love making that.

Sun Acrylic Painting

- How does your home country and in particular Dutch art influence your work? Are you inspired by any particular painters?

- I love the work of Vincent van Gogh very much. I had the immense pleasure of looking at his works in real life quite often and that is SO inspiring. To see the brushstrokes, how he handled the paint and the perspectives. Then I look at such a painting up close and think: he made all these brushstrokes in his solitude and now millions of people admire his work. I love the work of Isaac Israels too, very much. Also an impressionist.

Doing Hair

- Did you have a formal training in the arts or attend art courses?

- I am, as they call it, self taught. I never had lessons or courses. I always say: I am just doing something. I follow my heart, use the colours that work best for me and I paint subjects I love. And I love to look, that’s what I need to be able to paint.

City Tree Scape 3 Haarlem

- Do you have a studio or home studio or particular part of your house you have devoted to your artwork? Where do you paint your artwork?

- My husband Cor rebuilt a part of our house to be my studio, with a skylight. It’s a space of about 16 square meters, not very big, but very comfortable for me. With a desk, my canvasses, lots of paint, lots of light, a comfortable chair and all that I need for painting. The first year of painting (in the former house we lived) I did not have my own space and I painted in the livingroom! Big canvasses, the room was filled. In the current house, where we live almost 5 years now, I cherish my own creative space a lot. It is next to the kitchen, so connected with the familylife very close by, yet in my own room. For the smaller work and for the wearable art I sometimes paint in the livingroom. I only need a little space on the table and I have a fantastic view on our tiny but very beautiful garden. With a magnificent tree. For inspiration ;-)

- Thank you so much for featuring my work!

Thank YOU dear Nancy for this great and very inspiring interview, and for sharing your artistic journey and inspiration! We leave you to to your beautiful studio full of color and light, and we wish you continued joy, inspiration and success with your art and in your life.
You can find Nancy's artwork in her Etsy shop NancyvdBoom and you can get to know more about her work and her colorful world in her blog.

©AnnukCreations

Artist Interview: THOSE PARASOL DAYS

Today I want to share with you another one of my favorite artists! Nancy is a talented artist who lives on the beautiful Costa Blanca, in Spain. She works under her own brand Those Parasol Days. She paints wonderful oil and watercolor paintings, and she creates some decorative objects as well. An engaged animal lover and animal rights activist, her artwork reflects her beautiful natural environment and her love for her feline friends. A large part of her sale profits goes to animal help organizations, and she is a member of Etsy for Animals (among other Teams she has joined) - and a mom to a lovely cat family of eight (but she takes care of many more feline friends). Here she shares her artistic journey and inspiration with us!

Me and My Shadow

- You live in Spain, on the beautiful Costa Blanca. Where are you originally from?

Well, I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina; my father was an adventurous sailor in his youth and travelled a lot! But my home is Stockholm, Sweden; it's a small town compared to London, New York, or Hong Kong but big enough to be able to offer a vegan almost anything she could crave. ;) And the summers are perfect, just right in every single way, they fit me and I suit them; every time I'm in Stockholm over summer, my heart is stilled and filled to the brim with life at the same time. It is home, plain and simple. But actually, this year, finally, I have started to feel a little of that for Spain, too. It may have been the long winter that has produced a glorious spring much greener than usual and thus reminding me of Sweden, I don't know, but this year I seem to be more in harmony with myself and with the world.

Lemony Blue

- How did you choose the lovely name for your Etsy Shop, Those Parasol Days?

For the first couple of years here in Spain, I was the only one not baking myself crisp on the beach and people would look strangely at me when I came walking down the street in my coloured paper parasols – I'm pretty sure I was known as “that crazy, pasty foreign girl” to the locals – as well as the tourists! So, I guess it kind of became a trademark of mine - now everyone's sporting them!
I recently saw a note on Japanese TV about shops in Tokyo that sell parasols like they would've done here a hundred years ago, in every colour and pattern you could ever want and different shapes and sizes to suit everyone. I could go to Tokyo just for that!
Also, I like how the name sounds so romantic, like lazy summer afternoons under a big leafy tree, drinking home-made lemonade and watching a a bug stretching its wings on your arm.

Come Fly With Me

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

Children are always encouraged to draw and I liked it as much as anyone, and we all played the “what do you want to be when you grow up” game. I'm sure I went through many ideas but the ones I remember are archaeologist and architect; the first because I have always always loved history, and the second because I thought it meant I could draw all day. And when I found out that drawing was part of archaeology, too... I thought my dream had come true! :D

Spring Rolling In

- When and how did you realize this was your real life path?

Well, when it was time to start thinking about a career, I thought a "normal" person couldn't possibly survive on drawing pictures - my image of an artist was something like a Da Vinci genius, and how in the world could I live up to that?
So, went on to university to study history and art history, with a focus on archaeology. As much as I love archaeology, I never liked the hierarchical structure of the university and did not look forward to a career in giving lectures and handing in excavation reports.
But it took years before it occurred to me that no-one was forcing me to stay and that I could actually quit and try something else!
And so I did.

Best of Friends

- What are your main sources of inspiration?

Anything and everything that crosses my path is a potential idea for something or other; I think that, for me, having a positive mindset is the key to all. Also, the fact that I can stay at home with my cats and tend to their every need and spoiled wants, is a great incentive!

A Sweetheart in Every Port

- How has life affected your art and art affected your life?

I'm not at the stage yet where I can make a living out of it, so the business side of it hasn't taken up my entire life yet but I notice that the better I'm doing, the more I paint, the less stressed I get about everyday things. I'm an adaptable person, so wherever I go, my art changes in style to that – when I'm in Sweden, my paintings are more clean, cooler, softer; when in Spain, the colours come out and the contrasts are much stronger.

Slippery Slope

- We share a big love for animals and cats in particular, how do you express this in your artwork?

Love, of any kind, makes you a happier person and unlike the standard idea of how an artist works, I cannot create if I'm not happy. However time-consuming my cats are and the scares they give me when they get ill or injured, I wouldn't be as balanced a person without them. And whenever I see a you-tube story from a zoo far away, with a happy ending, that just makes my day! All my art is happy art – even the serious pieces are never depressing; spreading some sunshine into the world can't be bad, can it? :) And of course, the cats often act as my models, whether they like it or not...

Emil

- You actively engage for animal welfare, don’t you?

I feed the local feral cat colonies, I take them to the vet when they let me and, with the financial help of local charities, some of them have been spayed and castrated. Once in a while an organisation from the UK, affiliated to International Animal Rescue, comes here and does a mass sterilisation all along the coast, and that has helped a lot!

We Are Golden

- Art is about light and color! What are your favourite colors?

I like all colours, but not all colours in all places. I don't use many browns in my paintings but it's a lovely soft colour in clothes! However, one can make any colour look beautiful, in any context, by combining it or by using light to break up a block and to give it life. I have a brown watercolour cat in my Etsy shop – it may sound dull but the way the colour floats over the surface, thicker, thinner, letting the light of the paper shine through, it all gives shape and texture to an already beautiful creature.

Sunny Skies Ahead

- Did you have a formal training in the arts or attend art courses?

I have done schools, I have done workshops, I have done private lessons etc. I may go to Florence for a summer course next - with all the art history there, I should think there's plenty to see!

Yellow

- Do you have a studio or home studio or particular part of your house you have devoted to your artwork? Where do you paint your artwork?

If I'm doing a commission where someone has e-mailed me photos, I'm usually in front of the computer – it allows me to zoom in or out in a way that just wouldn't be practical if I were to do a print-out. In summer when the light is bouncing off the white walls, I stay indoors to paint, but any other crafting is lovely to do under a parasol!

Small But Strong

Thank you dear Nancy for this beautiful and really inspired and inspiring interview, and for sharing your artistic journey and inspiration! I can really feel the passion and love for what you do and that your art comes from your heart. We wish you continued joy, inspiration and success with your art and with animal help.

You can find Nancy's artwork in her Etsy shop Those Parasol Days and you can get to know more about her world in her blog.

©AnnukCreations