ARTIST STATEMENT
My works are the embodiment of my desire to convey Pure Emotion, Peace, and personal delight in our world. Creative pursuits soothe my soul and help me cope gracefully with our everchanging Universe.
Color, light, form, scale, and texture are abundant and diverse in our surroundings. I’m particularly enchanted by the subtleties and power of light and movement, and I endeavor to instill this in my pieces.
After painting in traditional styles for years, and seeking a retreat from image overload after viewing two hundred thousand works of Art, I developed my own, unique style of painting. Calling it “Nominal Conceptualism”, I found it to be a true departure from all known schools of painting.
My current work is often focused on portraying "intangibles", that is, Feelings, Concepts, and Universals that have no independent existence.
Uplifting the Individual and Humanity with one of a kind works that are calming, whimsical, or gently thought provoking is my primary intent. I’m actively exploring the seemingly limitless boundaries to visual interpretation. Each of my pieces is an Outpouring of myself that contains part of me. Within this process, I become lost in the nuances of each works uniqueness. Once a piece is created, it gives something greater back to fill the void and I am replenished to create again.
I’ve been an Artist, a Creative, a Maker throughout my life, earning my reputation through many forms of creative expression. I’ve done Landscapes and Florals in Oils, Contemporary Abstracts in Acrylics, and Digital Paintings. I produced Mobile Sculptures, Charcoal Drawings, Zentangles, Fiber Arts and Sewing, Papercrafts, Collage cards, Photographs, Eggery and so much more. From an early age, I have been a committed Conservationist, protecting the Earth whenever I can. So I use recycled, repurposed materials in my work whenever possible.
I know without a doubt that I was Created to Create. I struggled within my soul as my Art sometimes took a backseat to what I had to do to survive, earn a living, raise a family, and help put food on the table.
As a result, I had a number of years in roles completely unrelated to Art. I was a Messenger, a Bank teller, an Executive secretary, an Office manager, a Medical Transcriptionist, and Insurance Rater. Still, I found ways to not stray too far from the path I believe is my true destiny. So I worked as a Textile Silkscreen Artist, a Glass Painter, and a private school Art Teacher.
I'm motivated to change the world by using my talents to help people live better lives. Volunteering with theaters, museums, scout groups, churches, schools, and an Arts Council. Making 1000 masks during Covid. Chairing and running a local Art Exhibit, designing and creating props and costumes for Theaters - I've been devoting time and talents wherever they could be applied to further the Arts.
Other than four years of Art classes I'm self-taught, with many self-guided lessons and much experimentation while acquiring my Associates in Arts Degree. I even took Summer en Plein Aire classes, where a multitude of Daddy-Long-Leg spiders hiked up my legs and my easel legs getting hopelessly mired in oil paint on canvas and palette. That experience almost made me rethink spending life as an Artist - but I'm literally driven to create - to make something every day - and often into the night.
Finally free to pursue my life-long dream, I've submitted to the relentless pull to navigate the balance of my life as a Creative, following my North Star. To that end I've been busy at Norfolk Lane Studios building a Body of Work. I'm active daily in my studios as a Fine Artist, Graphic Artist, a Craftperson, Writer, and as necessary, website Manager and Social Media.
Some of the artists who inspired me to adventure into the unexplored and take risks include Helen Frankenthaler, Piet Mondrian, and Pablo Picasso. I'm passionate about Art in all its forms, really, but admit to a genuine fondness for Impressionist Masters Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cezanne.
I love the artworks of M.C. Escher, Joan Miro, Theo Van Doesburg, Mark Rothko, and Alexander Calder. Jackson Pollock and Wassily Kandinsky, even Michaelangelo. Truthfully, it's hard to find an artist whose work I don't like at all.
Presently I'm focused on the production of fresh, contemporary oil paintings, acrylic paintings, and digital art. I'm making timeless works that will be suitable for both Today, and Future Spaces.
I’m grateful for my friends and supporters who allow my work to come through their eyes, to speak to their hearts and minds.
Please share my Art with others. I appreciate your time and interest! Min
Feel free to contact me through NorfolkLaneStudios@gmail.com
Copyright © 2024 Mina Koury Martin - All Rights Reserved.