Oil Paintings – Tiina Marjeta

Inspiration for this series
The inspiration for this series came through a lengthy process related to contemplating life and my own thought process. The first work in this series was completed at the end of 2001 and the beginning of 2002. It provided the conceptual impulse for the images and the thoughts—both conscious and unconscious—that have now taken shape in the current series. I translated my thoughts into visual form over the course of this year.

It felt natural to predominantly use animals in this series because I had watched many nature documentaries on TV, especially during my childhood, and the animal form holds symbolic value on an imaginative level. I also included human figures because humans are part of the whole of nature.

Generally about my working process
The painting often lives in my mind for a long time, initially sparked by a preference for a certain color, which directs the mood or feeling I want to capture. In a single work, the colors create a spontaneous beginning, which I refine into a more coherent form as the work progresses.

The works follow their own path. My image of the finished piece is rarely fully formed from the start. The painting process progresses into a completed work through the constant observation of the piece and my imagination. I want to trust the viewer’s ability to draw their own conclusions about the content of the works, and on the other hand, I feel I’ve done my part by painting the paintings and putting them in the exhibition—what happens next, I don’t want to define.

About this painting series
Previously, I painted abstract shapes and color fields. Now, they have taken on a more representational form because I feel that pure abstraction leaves the works too open, and life itself is not merely abstract.

On the other hand, the more representational form holds and guides, so I decided not to name my works in a guiding way or give the exhibition a specific theme or descriptive label. Through these works, I have wanted to touch on the emotional life of humans. Each work contains some emotional content, and experiencing that is personal for the viewer. Of course, the works can also be viewed simply as colors, strokes, and images, depending on the viewer’s personal approach.

What’s next?
I’ve decided to continue the series in the future as well, as this series has taken its own path in my mind.

This text was created with AI assistance