What prompted you to become an artist? What is your background ?
It's a process that started in my childhood. I was very early attracted by the drawing in which I found a way to exist and to escape from a family environment in which there was little communication. Then I met an artist, who introduced me to watercolor and other techniques that I adopted in my work.
What are the 3 things that differentiate you from other artists?
People have often praised my ability to restore the living, especially in my animal works. I also associate abstract backgrounds with figurative representations, as I have had little occasion to observe in the work of other artists. For the third thing, joker!
Where does your inspiration come from?
Of nature, essentially. I like to represent the living and everything related to it. I was lucky enough to be able to spend a lot of time in nature. I have the privilege of living between the sea and the mountains, that's where I draw my inspiration.
Tell us about the conception of your works, do you have a long preparatory work or is it quite spontaneous?
When I work on an abstract canvas, the creation is quite spontaneous. I generally have a visual form and color that I want to represent. But sometimes, I let myself be guided by my inspiration of the moment which may differ from my project. For figurative paintings, the preparatory work is longer and sometimes difficult. I have to find the best way to represent the message that I want to convey and put it in line with the techniques that I use.
What do you want to show through your work?
Above all, I want to raise public awareness of the beauty and strength of nature, through my work on animals, landscape representations. I seek to express the simple and essential character of the living, hence the recurring choice of geometric shapes which are, I think, the basis of the structure of the living.
In your work do you use techniques or materials that are out of the ordinary?
Yes. When I make my geometric stampings, I choose different materials each time. I use natural materials, wood, leaves, wax, etc. Otherwise, I take whatever comes to hand. I always try to have an intuitive approach on this level as well.
Do you have a favorite format? Why ?
I particularly like the square format. It is a format that the eye can more easily grasp. I also find that it produces a soothing effect for whoever contemplates it.
What difficulties do you encounter in your work?
I often have projects that I would like to carry out in very large format, which is currently impossible for me, since I work at home. So we are rather on a problem of storage of works!
How do you work? At home, in a shared workshop, in your own workshop?
At home or in nature, essentially. But I always have a sketchbook on me.
Does the work of an artist lead you to travel a lot?
I had the chance to travel to privileged places which were real electric shocks, and which allowed me to reach another dimension in my art, almost spiritual. But three destinations in particular were catalysts. The Dordogne, first, where I discovered parietal art, a primitive, simple art, where everything is said with few means: a very strong, almost mystical emotion. Then Tanzania, the cradle of life, the last bastion of preserved nature, uncorrupted by man. Nowhere else have I felt this connection with wildlife and this feeling of immensity. And finally Florence, for me the most beautiful city in the world, one has the impression of evolving in an open-air museum, an artistic microcosm where the greatest painters in the world rubbed shoulders. I felt this energy very strongly, and I was captivated by the work on light, contrasts, mastery of volumes, on palaces, paintings or sculptures.
What was the best moment of your career?
Rather, there were good times. Precisely those experienced during these initiatory journeys, and during which I found myself in tune with what I was contemplating
How do you see your work in ten years?
Work on larger formats.
What are you currently working on? Are you planning an exhibition soon?
I am working on a series of canvases dedicated to current environmental issues: scarcity of resources, destruction of ecosystems, climate change… My intention is not to represent things crudely, but to lead to reflection. There will also be more positive canvases because many initiatives in favor of nature exist all over the world.
If you could have created a masterpiece of art history, which one would you choose? Why ?
I would choose The Three Ages of Woman, by Klimt. It is a simple and at the same time very strong representation of time passing and subjecting us all to the same natural laws. I also love the technique used, a mixture of figurative and very raw abstract for the frame. The color palette is also rich, mixing warm and cool tones.
If you could invite a famous artist for dinner (dead or alive), which one would you choose? Why ?
Perhaps Joan Miró because I love his committed work (even if our motivations are very different) and he is of Spanish origin, like me!
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
