Vanessa Maver

Artist Interview

What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?

I mainly work in acrylics, as I love how the paint can be manipulated with water and mediums and the various finishes that can be achieved. I worked in oils for many years, but once I discovered acrylics and how quick they are to dry and easy to clean I was hooked. I am continually learning and evolving my style and I love exploring with acrylics.

How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?

Once I have a glimmer of an idea, I start to sketch things out in my journal. I start to rule out ideas if they don't work in pencil. Sometimes coming back to these sketches months later. If the drawing works small, I will start to build upon that, creating loads of small sketches, each one a little different, each one exploring a new composition or angle, until I feel I have landed on something that feels right. I am usually figuring out during the sketching what size and shape canvas will work and how the composition will look the best for the space. I make some rough notes on colours, as I generally use the same colour palette with a few added pops of colour. Then I get started. Sketch out the idea on the larger canvas, then get started painting, mostly starting with washes. I do like to get the detail parts completed first, as it feels like the painting takes shape then and I can add the rest later.