What kind of technics do you use ?

I prefer digital photography, digital collage and oil painting. 


Have you collaborated with other artist on any projects before? What are the challenges of working with someone else?

I collaborated with the Pratt Institute's /NY/ prof Cheryl Gross. We did lots of illustrations together, it was a mix of her drawings with my photos /digital collage/. Our project goes by the name "Freak show".  We were even awarded

I thinkfew Times with honorable mentions. bigger challenge is to find a "good flow" with someone, fortunately we had it since the beginning. We just collaborated via internet, never met in real life yet. 


What is the most elaborate piece of art you've ever created? How long did it take you?

That woul be my diploma. A series of serigraphs. It took me all Year to finish. Serigraphy is complicated a bit. My artworks where BIG and needed lots of physical work, not only artistic. Also I wrote the thesis for it obviously, which was very important for me. It was in 2013. I think you can check it on my behance.


Do you perform any activities or rituals to keep yourself motivated and interested in creating more art?

Yes I do. I Just try to live a healthy life. That is crutial for the brain to funcion right and think up Good ideas. So that would be: eating smart, walk with dog every day, sleep enough, drink a lot /but no alcohol/. Whatever helps in the situation: pray, meditate, gymnastics... I was very sick for many years and visited hospitals, had two operations on my belly so now I just enjoy life with small things. But what motivates me most is travelling so I would call it a ritual, a trip abroad every few months is a great thing. 


Is your art influenced by any artist? Who has inspired you during your career?

The philosophy of deconstruction has influenced me just when I was finishing my studies. Or in other
But I never tired to copy anyone or create in a similar way, I rather learned from them only.
Painters and Graphic artists inspired me mostly. From Poland, America, England, France.. But if I must to name some that would be Hockney, Hopper.. They seem close to my heart even though I do something else. I admire their art. From Polish artists it would be Wojciech Weiss

 

wordsIt would be: don't let anybody tell you that you must do something else. Stay free in your mind and give yourself

What is the best advice you can give to a growing artist?


I discovered it for myself. the space and time to develope your skills. Work hard though. Read lots of books, travel, meet other cultures, educate. Draw every day. 


How do you define creativity? Do you consider yourself to be creative? Why or why not?

My definition of creativity is the same as you can find in a dictionary: the ability to produce original ideas. You can decide whether I am creative or not by looking at my portfolio. 


Why do you say you are creative in a depressive world? If you had a magic wand, what would you change about it?

I am not saying I am creative in a depressing world. It is jus a catchy title haha. It is referring to the fact I suffer from a depression. World is ok, just our perception of it can be misleading. If I had a magic wand I would change my health. 


What sort of influence do you hope your work will have on other people?

Viewers are free to interpret my artworks. I Just wouldn't want them to feel nothing when they are looking at them. It's a pleasure to communicate with people though art and it's a language of emotions. They can be good or bad but it's always better than nothing. 


Do you use other paints other than oil-based ones? Or do you focus on oil paintings only?

Since I've tried oil painting I fell in love with it. I tried acrylic once but I am just unable to use them. I love especially oils because of their softness and possibilities for creating textures and transparency.


If one would purchase an art piece from you, say an oil painting, how much would it cost approximately?

Depends on the size, 50/ 70 cm, 450 euro + courier
If you are interested please write me an email: marta.wapiennik@gmail.com
I am able for commissions


When you run out of fresh ideas, what do you do?

When I am looking for some inspiration I travel or read books. Both things are good. The cheapest thing you can do is going to the nearest library. When you have money best thing is to go abroad and meet a different culture, explore cities and museums.
Training a brain is also recommended. Learning new languages, talking to people, making friends. All stimulate cognitive processes.

How would you describe your personal art style?


I would rather have no style. This would limit my imagination, freedom of creation. I don't want to find myself in a situation when people connect me with some certain way of making artworks. A style is good for fashion, furniture, decoration but for an artist is not, at least for me.


What’s your favorite subject when painting?

I am in the middle of changing my favorite subject. I painted a lot of abstract pieces but now I got bored and searched for another topic. Recently I've traveled a lot and visited many great cities, museums in Berlin, Vienna, Mantova etc and I found many interesting subjects to develop. Something around symbolism, religion, faith in general. I would like to include this in my art.


Why do you enhance your photos instead of keeping them natural?

For me, it's important to express my feelings, emotions through my art that is why I do not only document 'reality'. I use my camera likeProbably the one that I am going to have in New York in January 2019
My first solo show and I am excited about it. I have never been to the USA

Among all your exhibits, which one are you most proud of?


a sketchbook, I take notes and then create an image instead of just taking it.

At the beginning of my 'photography journey', I used to take reportage, documentary photos. When I learned how to modify them, I felt that is way more interesting and expands the possibilities of 'communication' with the viewer. It's crucial in my opinion to give something more from yourself while making an artwork. Taking pictures alone makes you a photographer but hardly an artist (yeah I know many people would argue)..

 

.You can all feel invited to Artifact Gallery
 

How can artist get featured in exhibits?

This is how I started: I simply applied for many open calls for artists. When I felt more confident, I searched for competitions.
For example, international photography calls that are organized by art galleries. Just google it. I do it often. When you find a good source, subscribe to the newsletter.

When you feel depressed, do you feel less creative?

No. Being creative is on the other side of my brain hehe. Depression can affect my sleep or my apetite but not my creativity.  Even when I am sick I try to work. It helps. 



When you create how do you pick the medium for each piece? Or does it come and change in the process of work?

Funny question because I do not "pick" the medium. I take a Picture when I want to document what I See and have it in a digital form.  And I paint when I want to create a painting that I have in my mind. I love especially oils because of their softness and possibilities for creating textures, transparency etc. To sum up, it's like entering two different worlds. Either you need use to one or another. 


Any budget camera you can recommend to newbie photographers?

Hi, it depends on what a person wants to photograpy, from a BIG distance or other like sports etc. I started with different Types of camera when I was a teenager, for a start Just Any is Good. Its Just important to decide what you want to "AIM your Lens" at.  


Do you think your depression has helped or more on hindered your art?

No idea whether I would have become an artist if I haven't had depression. Since it developed in my early childhood, hard to say. Nevertheless, I think it helps to be depressed in the art field, what an irony. Istead of having fun you Just work on your art. Of course do not take it seriously. But there is something in it


When you take photos, what camera do you use?

At the beginning of my studies I worked with Sony Cyber-Shot, really, later something bigger - Canon 600D with Sigma lens but that was so heavy I decided to change it for Panasonic Lumix DMC - G3. I have 3 Panasonic lenses for it.
 

For

What computer programs do you use for graphic design


Yes, it helps me to express my emotions. I find it very helpful. It's a good distraction from unpleasant thoughts. Unfortunately, art is not enough in my case and I must take medication.

Is your art helping you get through depression?


Just to make it clear, it was actually more about graphic arts (manual) than the computer design. It was 5 years, 2008 - 2013. But I had to prepare for the studies before, what took me 3 years of drawing and painting courses.

How many years does did you have to study Graphic Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow?
few last years, I've been using Affinity and it works perfectly for me. Both design stuff and photo. (I do more photography works).
During studies when I was designing posters, catalogs, logos etc, I used Adobe (because there was no choice)


Did you have to travel the world and be in your exhibits in person?


I wish I had! I didn't go to most of the exhibitions, I simply couldn't. It wasn't necessary to be there. But I must admit that in general, it's worth to go if you are able to. I always check the reviews and photo reportages from the exhibitions. I even ask to take a photo of my work. It's important for me to see how it looks like among other works, in a new space. Curators are happy to help with that.



Is it best to take a full course for graphic design or are crash courses effective as well?

Hm... I have no idea. I am not as skilled in graphic design as much as you'd think because my Academy is pretty old-fashioned. We did most of the work by sketching and talking about the idea more that sit in from of computers. They were saying that we learn there how to think like a graphic designer and we must do the (computer) programs learning - at home. So I learned with YouTube tutorials and from books (seriously) about typography etc.

Please specify what you'd like to learn in graphic design because it's a large field ranging from typo and posters to game design, comics - then I may say something more.

Generally, it's good to start drawing sketches to turn on the brain first.