Featured Artist Exhibiting at the Hive Art Show and Lafayette Mill Open House

The Hive RI welcomes you to the 2015 Art Show and Mill Wide Open House. There will be a number of artists on display for this event, which is May 30th from 4-8pm. Here is one of the artists who will be featured in the Art Show, Larisa Martino. Larisa was kind enough to answer a few questions about her work. Here is an excerpt from our email conversation:

Larisa, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to write to me. So what does art mean to you?

My art is my key to the secret garden, my way down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass.

I evolve along with my art, welcoming new challenges as I explore new ideas and techniques.

What subjects do you feel the most comfortable creating?

I create art to define my feelings and emotions, to express my inner views and sensuality. The subjects of my paintings are usually women. My muse is an imagination that relies on collected images and real observation. I begin my creation by submerging myself in trance, clearing daily worries from my mind. With swooshing circular motions that render the curves of woman, violin, floral petal, a glass of wine or a cat, I follow with pen and brush the footprints of my daydreaming.

Who are your influences and what can viewers expect to see in your artwork?

My artistic influences include Gustav Klimt, vintage and modern fashion sketches, and Art Nouveau. I rejoice in blending diverse textures, materials and techniques which result in mixed-media creations. In my work you will discover playful lines of ink, deliciously textural acrylics, peek-a-boo fabrics, and unexpected red wine stains.

I'm sure you have a favorite color or style in which you paint. What is it and why that color?

Red, my favorite color, represents passion, energy, and power. Combining crimson with other hues, I paint with a jewel-toned palette: sparkling rubies, mysterious amethysts, caressing amber along with stunning emeralds and seductive sapphires. Some of my works whisper sensually and others shout with vibrancy and fun.

What are some projects you are working on these days?

Currently I have been painting in a series that include "Girls Night Out", "Black Dress", and "Lace".

Click on the video below to watch a slide show of Larisa Martino's work as well as learn more about the artist and her style.