Flavia Birsan is a prize-winning Romanian painter who has exhibited her art nationally and in the United Arab Emirates. She is currently produces artworks for four of her ongoing major series: Interlude, Geometrica, Angels, and Perpetuum, where she explores minimalism, vivid colors, and angel wings. Attracted to the gestural painting style, Birsan continuously experiments with various supports and techniques.
SINGULART spoke with the Flavia about her creative influences and current projects.
When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I discovered my passion for contemporary visual arts more than 15 years ago and since then I’ve been expressing myself through painting. In the beginning, I took private lessons from a renowned local artist and other specific courses, in order to be able to to express my ideas on canvas. And now I am glad that my works have found their home around the globe. I love painting and I can not imagine myself doing anything else.
Would you tell us about your artistic influences, which artists have inspired you?
I am a fan of the post-war American abstract school, in particular Willem de Kooning, with his gestural style and Mark Rothko with his abstract multiform.
I like to experiment with various supports and techniques, I usually work with palette knives and large brushes, on canvases, with acrylic colors and charcoal. Also, I am attracted by the gestural painting style, as I believe it is greatly expressive in the eyes of the viewer. Lately, I am inspired by old and chipped walls and worn, rusty objects, which have a special charm and are particularly expressive.
Do you prefer to work alone or in a collaboration?
I look at things from a dual perspective. I always work alone in the studio, because the creative process is very intimate for me, but my work is in constant contact with the world, because I find inspiration in what I see on the street (colors, walls, posters, movement) and what I feel in different contexts. Also, during commission projects I feel that I work in partnership with the collectors. I try to get as close as possible to what inspired them to choose me to create for them. The exhibitions, online or offline, are other moments that I cherish as I meet and communicate with art lovers, collectors or fellow artists.
Would you tell us about your current project – what are you working on?
I ‘m currently painting large canvases as part of several of my favorite collections, such as Industrial chic and Poetry. Both are projects that I work on in multiple layers of color, which creates an expressive and aged feeling, and with many color combinations.
What do you think you would be doing if you hadn’t become an artist?
I actually cannot really imagine doing something else, but if I had to chose it would be jewellery design or being somehow involved in interior design services.
Have you discovered other artists on SINGULART whose art you appreciate or even admire?
There are so many wonderful artists in SINGULART’s creative universe, and I am honoured to be one of them. An artist I discovered recently, that I appreciate a lot, is the Australian painter Kathleen Rhee.
What advice would you give to young artists who are just starting out and trying to find their feet?
Always do what inspires you, because by doing what you love, you ensure the discipline and the strength to follow the path to success. Do not be discouraged, but persevere. If you want to participate in international competitions, gathering experience and feedback is very important. Lastly, communicate your vision and creations through social media channels; be available to your public.
Thank you for the interview, Flavia! Discover all the other works on Flavia Birsan‘s SINGULART profile.
