Hello Marina, thank you for taking the time for this interview. For those who don’t know you yet, could you start by introducing yourself?
It’s always hard to introduce oneself. My name is Marina, and I’ve been a freelance artist working with watercolours for the past ten years. I’m in love with watercolour, take part in various exhibitions, teach, and adore plein-air painting. I hold a degree in engineering, but painting is my true calling.
Your path to art began in materials science. How has your scientific background influenced your artistic work?
That’s a good question. I’ve always been an artist at heart – I used to draw or write stories, so I’ve always loved and practised art. My scientific studies and work at the University of Dresden haven’t directly influenced my artwork, but they’ve certainly shaped my personality, my way of thinking, and the way I find beauty in the world.
What experiences from your time studying in Moscow and Freiberg shaped your perspective on art?
I’ve realised that art connects people. When discovering a new country, art is incredibly helpful – it allows you to explore more deeply, make new acquaintances, and eventually process your impressions.
Why did you choose watercolour as your medium, and what fascinates you most about it?
I think I chose watercolour initially because I’m quite an impatient person. Watercolour dries quickly, you can work in washes – it just seemed like the perfect medium for me. Over time, I discovered how many hidden possibilities watercolour offers, and the more I worked with it, the more interesting it became. Delicate, powerful, wild, calm, uncontrollable – all of that can describe watercolour. And I think watercolour is a very honest medium – there’s little room to correct or conceal.
You now live and work in Berlin. How does this city influence your creative work, and how does the art scene there compare to other places you’ve lived?
Before moving to Berlin, I spent four years in a village in Upper Franconia, so I can really compare. In Berlin, it’s of course much easier to find a fitting artist community – whether it’s a local painting group in the Kiez, the Urban Sketchers, academic drawing sessions, or women’s creative circles, just to name a few. Berlin offers many networking opportunities. Of course, there are downsides too, like the intense competition within the art scene or the risk of getting lost in countless events and ending up with little time left for creating art.
Life in Berlin is colourful, free, and very diverse – and that definitely influences my work. Since living here, my painting has become much freer, more abstract, and I’m no longer tied to a single theme.
In your work, you speak of the “beauty of the everyday”. What inspires you to capture daily moments and scenes in your paintings?
I travel a lot and see many beautiful places. And in a way, it’s quite easy to paint something that is objectively beautiful. But it’s far more interesting to highlight the beauty of things or scenes that are often overlooked. A red container in a grey courtyard, a person waiting on the platform for a train, cacti in a DIY store – all of these have their own charm and tell their own stories, which I try to discover and bring to life on paper.
How do you approach creating a new piece of art? Which steps are most important to you in the process?
The first thing I do when I start a painting is ask myself: what do I actually want to say with this image? What did I find so compelling that I felt the need to paint it? That helps me focus on what’s essential.
After that, I almost always make one or more sketches. Sketching has become very important to me. Through sketches, I work out the composition, light and dark contrasts, and experiment with colour combinations.
Another important step is choosing the right music. Music helps me translate emotion onto the paper.
How important is paper selection in your work? Do you have any favourite Hahnemühle products?
It’s very important! For me, each paper has its own character, and different papers suit different subjects. A simple example – for series with Nordic landscapes, I use rough paper to support the strength of that natural environment. For urban and architectural subjects, I prefer smoother surfaces.
I almost always use 100% cotton paper. I really like “The Collection Watercolour” by Hahnemühle and paint on it frequently. For my sketches, I love using their “Sketch” paper – sometimes the sketches turn out so well that I end up framing them. And their Watercolour Book 100% Cotton have been my loyal companions for the past two years.
You’ve attended masterclasses with artists like Joseph Zbukvic and Sergei Kurbatov. How have those experiences influenced your technique and perspective?
By now, I’ve taken part in many different workshops with renowned watercolourists. I find it incredibly inspiring, especially when you begin to see different techniques and realise that you can paint in completely different styles and still achieve stunning results. It takes away the fear of being “too detailed” or “too abstract”, or of using white gouache or masking fluid. Watercolour is so versatile – every artist can find the technique that suits them best.
These days, I really enjoy not only learning techniques from masters, but also their perspectives. I like to ask how their artworks come to life, what inspires them, and so on. Pretty much exactly what you’re asking me right now.
You’ve already received impressive awards and recognition in your artistic career. What do these mean to you?
I enjoy taking part in competitions. They give me the chance to try out new techniques or think more deeply about the subject matter. Of course, it’s lovely to receive recognition – it supports me and reassures me that I’m on the right path.
Is there an exhibition or competition that particularly stands out in your memory? What made it so unique?
I think you always remember your first solo exhibition. It was through this exhibition that I became a freelance artist and could finally say: art is not just a hobby, but both a profession and a calling.
What message would you like to convey to viewers of your work, and how do you hope they perceive your art?
Life is exciting and full of variety. There are beautiful moments, sad moments, touching moments. Places and objects each have their own beauty, and everything has value. But I want every viewer to feel free to perceive my art in their own way.
How do you see your art evolving in the coming years? Are there any new themes or techniques you’d like to explore? Give us a little glimpse into the future, if you’d like.
I’d like to focus more on semi-abstract subjects. Learn and experiment even more with expressing emotion through painting. And I dream of writing and illustrating my own book.
A heartfelt thank you, dear Marina, for this inspiring conversation and for sharing such personal insights into your artistic journey. It’s truly impressive to see how you use watercolours to tell stories, shine a new light on the everyday, and give your creativity room to flourish. We’re excited to see where your path leads next – perhaps even to your very own book!
And to all our lovely readers – thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoyed the interview as much as we did. Until next time!
If you’d like to see more of Marina’s work and follow her, we recommend checking out her Instagram account and website.
