A conversation with Madelein Marincowitz

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I received my art education at school, matriculated at Pro Arte, School for Art, Ballet, Music and Drama and studied Fine Arts/ Painting at Tshwane University of Technology (Pretoria – South Africa)

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Such a difficult question to answer: a huge variety from Impressionism to Realism to Expressionism. So many great artists I admire and I want to learn from each of them, every skill possible. I just love art, any medium or technique.

Tell me about your favourite medium.

Paint – since childhood all I wanted to do, was to paint. From painting sets in the theatre or props in the film industry or interiors, it doesn’t matter. Working with powder paints, dyes, dubious concoctions and other – I have to admit, acrylics and oils are on my top favourite’s list.

Where do you find inspiration?

In beauty … In nature… A flower or a bird. In movement, light and shadows, shape, texture and colour. A skull of an animal and sometimes when I’m feeling nostalgic, I’ll page through my mother photo album.

When is your favourite time of day to create?

The strange thing is, I’m a morning person, up and going early in the day, but somehow I get distracted with a walk, or my garden or my favourite cat in the whole world, the monkeys or social media, admin and dirty dishes (sometimes questionnaires) It’s safe to say I’m usually in front of my easel from 10 – 5. Even if I don’t feel creative I need to be in my studio every day, it keeps me sane (I think).

Describe how art is important to society.

It breaks my heart to live in a society that doesn’t acknowledge the importance of art in our education. It is not about producing more poor suffering artists, it is about creative development in any career, from doctors to engineers to plumbers. Creative thinking is crucial in our evolution for a better future.

What motivates you to create?

Life

How do you define success as an artist?

Oh wow …this is such a dilemma. Money makes the world (goes crazy) .. So many excellent artists never receive any acknowledgement for their suffering and hard work and so many get acknowledged for their grandeur (and horrible repetition of the same old thing) even if they lost their souls. I don’t know the answer..

Does art help you in other areas of your life?

Just to be more conscious, being aware of my environment, the beauty, the suffering of others, having gratitude and showing kindness.

How do you develop your art skills?

By just keep on keeping on

Come spend some time at the Cape Palette Art Gallery
info@capepalette.co.za
044 870 8751 / 082 439 5871
34 Airway Road, George, South Africa