Maria Poznańska is a self-taught painter currently based in Warsaw. She treats painting as an outlet for her emotions, feelings, thoughts, memories, which she aims to transfer onto canvas. One thing she loves the most about painting is that she never knows in advance what her painting will look like once is finished, so it's quite unexpected and spontaneous journey. Her expressive and intuitive style is strongly impacted by nature, its beauty, rhythm, changing seasons, which all stir the emotions and feelings. Then she interacts with them on a canvas, creating abstract visualization.
How did you get into art?
Since I was a child, I have always been drawn to create. If I weren’t drawing, I was painting, when I didn’t feel like painting, I was designing and then sewing clothes for my dolls (and later even directing a fashion show for my family haha). As I grew up, the art has always been the biggest interest of mine, even when I studied economics instead of industrial design as more practical choice, I never stopped being passionate about art, although I didn't come back to painting until the time when the coronavirus pandemic has started.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
Hmm that is a good question! I have to say that my painting style is in a constant state of developing, since I’m a self-taught artist, so it is quite intuitive and expressive process. I experiment and play with a lot of different techniques, trying to discover what feels most like me. I treat painting as an outlet for my emotions, feelings, thoughts, memories, my sensitivity, which I’m aiming to transfer onto canvas. For me, it is also sort of therapeutic, in that way I am able to process some emotions, slow down, appreciate the moment, better understand the inner as well as outer world. Is my work special? It’s not my place to tell that! All I can say is that I challenge myself everyday to become better and I put my heart and soul into my work.
How do you go about developing your work?
I try to avoid too much distraction and I really like to start a new painting with some music on. It can be different kinds of music, depending on my mood. And I certainly need a cup of good coffee! Then, most importantly, I try to get loose and let my feelings lead my paintbrush.
One thing I love the most about painting is that I never know in advance what my painting will look like once is finished, so it's quite unexpected and spontaneous journey. I just have to trust the process, my intuition and patiently wait until I get a feeling that the piece is finished.
Who or what influences you?
I draw inspiration from my experiences, emotions, meeting people, travelling, but for the most part nature and its beauty never ceases to amaze me, thus it influences my art most deeply. Also, I find music, dancing and cinema strongly impacting my work. When it comes to artists, my biggest inspirations are Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Willem de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler, Joan Mitchell, Cy Twombly and Teresa Pągowska. Just to name a few!
Make us curious. What is planned next?
To paint as much as I can! Really. Also, I want to focus more on creating some new series of work, finally finish my website, have a first solo show and take part in some international art fairs. Additionally, I want to explore the world of sculptures more (for some time I've been taking sculpture classes which I enjoy a lot!).
Artworks:
“Silence du lac”, acrylic on canvas 90 cm x 90 cm 2022
“Walk with me till the sunrise”, acrylic on canvas 120 cm x 100 cm 2022
“Dancin’ by the lake” acrylic on canvas 120 cm x 100 cm 2022
