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

Best Sick Day Ever!

Sickness is here! I knew the sickness was inevitable as one by one my coworkers, friends, and family fell captive. So far, I'm the only one in the family who has been hit and it hasn't actually been that bad. Congestion, foggy head, and sore throat. I rarely ever get sick, so I guess I was long overdue. As long as I'm not puking, I'm a happy sick person.

Last night was day two of the sickness and I fought it off with a nice long spin class. I may be crazy, but it has always been my own personal philosophy that sweat and exercise is the best thing for your body when you get sick. When I ran competatively in college, this always seemed to be true and it has worked for me ever since.

After a full night of tossing and turning, plugging my nostrils with tissue paper, and trying to sooth my burning throat, I woke to my 5:25 a.m. alarm as I imagine a swamp person would arise from well...a swamp. I was groggy, my head felt like it was full of mud, and I looked pretty awful. I immediately hit snooze and didn't think twice about trying to make it to work. Since today was my husband's turn to wake, feed, dress the kids and drop them off at his sister's house, I fell right back to sleep for four glorious more hours.

I finally woke up at 10 a.m. and made the obligatory call in to work. I had a couple work projects on my plate and I got those out of the way first thing. After that, the day WAS MINE! First, I lounged on the couch with tea and caught up on Pinterest and Facebook and some of my favorite blogs. Then I tidied the house, but only just enough to feel accomplished.

Then I went to the craft store. Not because I needed to buy anything. I went to the store solely because I had the rare luxury of driving somewhere without having to pack a diaper bag, strap and unstrap two kids into their carseats, and drag three different bags around with me. Although my husband and I pretty much split kid duty right down the middle, when we both have chores or errands to run, it's always expected that I will have the kids with me. I don't really mind it-- in fact, sometimes I prefer it. But when I'm running to the gym, the grocery store, AND the bank, it would be nice if my husband would take at least ONE of them with him on his ten minute hardware store trip.

Anyway, my point is that it has been so long since the last time I went on an errand alone. In fact, I honestly cannot remember the last time. So today, being able to peruse casually and aimlessly down the aisles of the craftstore with no agenda or care in the world (aside from trying not to sneeze or cough on anyone), was so freaking amazing.

On the drive home, I got to listen to Dori Monson, my favorite news radio show host (did I just say that? I'm such a nerd). His show is during the middle of the day so I rarely get to listen to him. I used to have a major voice/brain crush on him. Then I spoiled everything by looking up his website and finding his headshot. A lot of people love NPR. I personally can't stand it. Luckily we have a local news radio station that is simply fantastic. The hosts each have different perspectives and political leanings and it's amazing how they can cover the same top five stories and present totally different news. I NEVER listen to music in the car anymore (unless T-Swift comes out with a new album). I'm a total news radio addict. I have no idea how I survived on a daily basis before "Ring My Bell" with Rachel Belle.

Because I'm missing the piece of DNA that tells people to veg on the couch, I came home and finished a painting that I started six months ago (I painted over book pages. Sorry "Hundred Years of Solitude" you were way too boring to earn a permanent spot on my bookshelf):

Then I started and finished another painting. My camera didn't pick up the background colors very well. I really liked the background. I kind of think I ruined it by adding the branch silhouette. It's definitely NOT my favorite painting.

I always hate my own art and that is why most of my work lives at my parents' house where they, in typical parent fashion, display it prominently and without objectivity and for the entire world to see.  I nearly die each time I go to their house and see all my HORRIBLE middle school paintings hanging proudly in their living room and dining room. I made them promise to tell visitors that they found the paintings at Goodwill.

I also made this star:

It was so fun and so easy. Right now, as I type, I am planning a star take-over of all the walls in my house.

In between all my projects, I drank six cups of tea (current favorite is black chai tea with hazelnut creamer and three packs of splenda = death by sweetness). I had a gigantic bowl of chicken noodle soup. When the kids came home, we played, I gave them baths, we cuddled, and then I wisked them off to bed.

Finally, at 10:00 p.m. when I realized that all I had eaten all day was my bowl of soup (one good thing about being sick is total loss of appetite and then being able to make up all the missed calories the next day), I sat on the couch and had a nice big helping of my delicious "whatever is in the fridge" pasta. I made it two days ago when our pantry was bare and we were desperately waiting for payday. It turned out really well and is going to be my new go-to pasta dish. I'm thinking you can use whatever kind of cheese you happen to have on hand.

"Whatever" Pasta

2 cups milk
3 Tbs butter
3Tbs flour
1 tsp salt
Dash of nutmeg
1 tsp lemon juice
2 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

First I made bechemel saude by melting butter in a pan over medium heat. I added flour, stirring it in, and cooking it for another minute or two. I slowly added the milk and brough the mixute to a simmer. Then I melted the cheese into the mixture, and added salt, nutmeg, and lemon juice. At the very end, add in the chicken pieces. Serve over penne (or any) pasta.

I'm rounding out my fantastic sick day with a seventh cup of chai tea, and soaking in the peacefullness of a silent, sleepy house. I absolutely love being the last person to go to sleep.

ROMANTIC WINTER VILLAGE ART

The lovely picture I chose for my Christmas greetings yesterday is a painting by Italian artist Marino Di Fazio, so with this occasion I would like to show you more of the work by this talented native Genoan painter who specializes in lovely naif scenes from the Italian province! These naif, sweet, peaceful and timeless snow scenes from Northern Italian villages touch my heart... because this is my little world in the Alps! I feel like I have already walked through many of these scenes... Enjoy!

Artist Interview: STEPHMEL

Welcome to my April Artist Interview!
My new interview takes me to Athens, Greece, where I meet Stephania, the talented artist and lovely person behind Stephmel and le Petit Foyer. As soon as I ran across Stephania's photographic work on Etsy, I was bewitched. I love the dreamy, nostalgic atmospheres Stephania is able to achieve with her photographic artwork, the often oniric character of her images takes me back to long lost atmospheres and to childhood dreams. Her images touch me deeply, they speak directly to the heart, they bring back memories and convey feelings and evoke atmospheres.
Stephania is a full-time working artist and she keeps a workshop and small gallery in her native city, Athens. Mostly known as a photographer on Etsy, Stephania is an exquisite and passionate painter as well, which explains the painting-like character and feel of her photography. And it is very interesting to know that her main profession is related to Eastern Orthodox religious art, where she works in painting and restoring icons.
She tells me: "I wanted to add that I am a huge fan of your country too, which I have visited many times and will never feel tired visiting again :) I also have Italian roots from the part of my father. I guess that my love is obvious in my photo gallery :)"
Meet Stephania! Here she shares her artistic journey and inspiration with us!
Welcome Stephania!

Nocturne

- How did you choose the lovely names for your two Etsy Shops, Stephmel (for your photographic art shop) and le Petit Foyer (for your jewelry shop)?

- Stephmel is composed of the first letters of my name that I combined with the first letters of the name of my beloved dog Melody, my sweet companion for eight years now. Melody has followed me patiently in many photo sessions since my first steps in photography and I just felt to show her my gratitude this way.
Le Petit Foyer was a result of a longer search. Before starting my jewellery shop, I had dreamed of a little corner with warm artistic atmosphere and lovely handmade things with a vintage nostalgic feel. This finally recalled to me the foyer of a small theater where visitors can visually enjoy a relaxing break and watch things happening offstage. I also love the sound of French words, so this was my favourite and most representative name.

Passage

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

- As a child I was encouraged from my family to express myself creatively. During my early childhood years, I discovered the magical world of images and the endless possibilities that come by holding a pen and a blank piece of paper. I can't specify a certain moment when this journey began. It was there for as long as I remember myself.

Oblivion

- You express yourself artistically through both photography and painting. What does each of these mediums mean to you?

- Painting and photography help me both to visualise my inner world.
Painting is more a monologue, a confession. It needs isolation, self-discipline and concentration.
Photography is a dialogue, to discover the hidden poetry in the world around. It is my personal escape and gives me a great feeling of freedom with its endless possibilities.

Awakening

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

- As I mentioned before, I had always the feeling of walking along this path.
Through my school years, I used to draw in my free time and read books about art and painters. During college, I took art classes and finally discovered the mystic appeal of icon painting along with my partner some years later.
Photography came much later, when I received a Nikon D80 as a present and started experimenting in this field.

Morning Dance

- What are your main sources of inspiration?

- I find incredible inspiration in urban living and all things that suggest the traces of human presence - old decayed buildings, dark empty streets, train journeys, harbours, street markets after closing time, abandoned places, but also in poetry, music and my own dreams and emotions among others. In my photos, I often try to capture the certain mood of a poem or a song.

Nostalgia

- What do you like most about the creative process in both photography and painting?

- The creative process in both of them is an exciting experience.
In photography, I particularly enjoy to recreate my images with digital methods, so that the final result reflects my own mood and feeling. I often like to give them a painting-like effect and a poetic, dream-like atmosphere.

Midnight Blues

- You also create beautiful vintage inspired jewelry with a romantic and nostalgic touch, which you sell in your other Etsy Shop Le Petit Foyer. In some of your pieces you incorporate lovely miniature paintings, can you tell us a bit about that?

- Thank you for your kind words. I started making jewellery quite recently, when I introduced my first photo-necklaces, trying to make my work more accessible. This attempt had a warm response and so le Petit Foyer started. Creating romantic jewellery with a nostalgic touch gives me a huge pleasure as it drives me back to my childhood. In my hand painted miniatures I choose whimsical and nostalgic themes, such as teacups, hot air balloons, owls and anything that can be part of an imaginary world. I plan to work more on this section in the future.

Path To Nowhere

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

- I always like to put feeling and soul in my work. Art is my refuge in sad and happy moments. It is also my every day's job and hobby. I could never imagine my life without it.

Moonrise

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

- The refreshing sea green, the mystical quality of cobalt blue, the rich burgundy, the deeper shades of purple are among my obsessions. In photography I love the range of black and white tones accented with sepia for a nostalgic result.

And The Moon and The Stars and The World

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

- I have a degree in History of French Art. During my college years I attended courses of drawing and painting in a private school. In photography I am self-taught.

Venezia

- Do you have a studio or home studio or particular part of your home you have devoted to your artwork? Besides your online shops, you also have a “physical” workshop and gallery in Athens, can you tell us a little about it?

- I recently moved back to my old family house which I converted into a workspace. There is a large room for painting and printing and many more little corners for other jobs. There is also a small apartment at the basement where my family business is settled. We use it mainly as a gallery and showcase. I feel really privileged to be able to devote as much time and space as I need for my creative activities, which had been one of the big dreams of my childhood years.

Over The Aegean Sea

Thank you dear Stephania for this really beautiful 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.

Choosing an artist's artwork to show in the interview is always a hard task for me, but this time it's been particularly difficult because I feel a soul connection with each and every one of your photographs.

You can find Stephania's wonderful photographic artwork in her Etsy shop Stephmel, and her beautiful handmade jewelry in her Etsy shop le Petit Foyer.

Ricordami

©AnnukCreations