"Living life as an artist is a practice. You are either engaging in the practice or you're not.
It makes no sense to say you're not good at it. It's like saying, "I'm not good at being a monk". You are either living as a monk or you're not.
We tend to think of the artist's work as the output. The real work of the artist is a way of being in this world"
- Rick Rubin, The Creative Act.
I think that this quote is imperative to understand in its entirety. Specifically, it talks about the art practice as a form of abstract understanding of the world that the artist lives and dedication to it which makes the actual outcome (what it looks like) of unimportantance.
This piece was developed over many weeks with back and forth communication between myself, the medium and the canvas. There were many conversations throughout, some technical and others more spiritual, more intuitive.
I am proud of this work. There is a story of my European culture and how it is manifesting in my life now, more, than when I was younger. When I was younger, these traditions I engaged with were vast but as I grew older, less. Since I started my practice in 2019, I have been able to weave these traditions back into my life, appreciating them for what they are worth and choosing what resonates with my grown self now.
To speak technically, I presented myself with multiple challenges.
Painting in colour
The size
The compositions and how these two pieces would relate to each other
I was not an 'oil painter' when I first started this piece so painting in colour was something new. Manipulating images was hard at first as giving up control felt too vulnerable and switching compositions in each session of painting opened up otherworldly conversations I had to navigate throughout.
In summary, As Rick Rubin states, this piece is a reflection of my place in this world but at a particular time in my life. This piece is my first coloured oil painting. It's ambitious and it's noisy. It represents my European cultural upbringing as well as the European culture in which I am immersed now. It challenged me in many ways and still does as I use it to help my practice grow. It is important and relevant as this is my life (which has meaning and purpose).
Manipulating Europe (oil on board, 2023) is available for purchase.
Narrative statement of Manipulating Europe via the gallery page.
"Drawing inspiration from both my Macedonian roots and my husband's Italian heritage, 'Manipulating Europe' is a composition that beautifully intertwines these two rich cultures, reflecting my own identity.
Growing up immersed in Macedonian traditions, it wasn't until I met my husband that I truly began to appreciate the depth of my cultural heritage. His Italian family and their shared values opened my eyes to a newfound appreciation for my own background. One of the most remarkable aspects is the universal sense of belonging that accompanies these cultures.
Stepping into these lands outside of Australia feels like stepping into a familiar embrace—a place where I feel secure and connected. In a world where we all seek a sense of belonging, this piece is a tribute to the cultures that provide me with that profound feeling of connection."
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