<p dir="ltr"><strong>Could you tell us a bit about your background in art?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I’m a cosmopolitan visual artist from St Petersburg. I began my artistic journey at the age of nine at an evening art school, where I studied classical art and computer graphics. I began making a living from my art at age 16, enabling me to become financially independent early. This led to me travelling to Sweden in my late teens for an eye-opening foundation year in fine art.</p> <p dir="ltr">My passion for art stems from my childhood. While most people draw when they’re little, I just didn’t quit. Often I find myself engaging in painting as if it was my partner, and as in a relationship, I am anticipating seeing the painting again, or at times I’m tired of it, or I hate it. If anything, it definitely counts as an obsession. I think being an artist is one of the most privileged occupations, bringing an obsession of both spiritual and materialistic value into the world.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Has your journey pursuing fine arts in education influenced your style?</strong><br /><br />Starting with my foundation year in Sweden at Gerlesborgsskolan, I received my first MA diploma degree in Contemporary Arts at the Academy of Arts in Vienna. I’ve also studied on exchange programmes. I learned nihonga watercolour techniques on a bilateral exchange in Tokyo Zokei Art and Design University, which was magical, but quite isolating as many people didn’t speak English. Nevertheless, I love Asia. I lived in Koh Phangan in Thailand for three years, finding inspiration for my jungle botanical drawings.</p> <p dir="ltr">My experiences at so many art institutions have broadened my understanding of art, past and present, expanded my personality, and helped me to move forwards towards discovering what is actually important in my personal practice. Without this journey, my creative practice would probably be more commercial and predictable, rather than experimental and spiritual. <br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>What drew you to study MA Painting at Arts University Plymouth?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I had a very deep and connecting experience during my foundation year studying on the coast of the Northern Sea in Sweden. I wanted to repeat this experience of studying by the sea. So the love of the sea brought me to Plymouth. </p> <p dir="ltr">The language and culture of the UK are also familiar to me. I started to study English at age 7 and by age 14 I was a big fan of British movies and bands like Radiohead. This is my first time in Devon, but the mind-blowing landscapes are a huge inspiration for me, which are in abundance here! I came here to push myself out of my comfort zone, write and read more in English and push myself to the next level, focusing on a new medium of oil paint.</p> <p dir="ltr">At Arts University Plymouth, the atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed, ensuring a stress free experience. The support that the staff provide is so helpful. I believe that artists should study their subject as long as their lives allow them; staying curious is what feeds inspiration, isn’t it?<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Your art has been featured in various major publications, how do you feel these acknowledgements have impacted your career?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It’s been great for my CV, people seem to trust you more. It was still nice to see my hair pencil drawings that were featured in a German publishing house book available in the University’s library. However, the impact of books is hard to compare with the impact of viral properties on the internet. </p> <p dir="ltr">When I was 20, I made an alphabet of detailed pencil graphics. The project went viral, and I got an offer from New York, working for the New York Times. That helped me feel legit. At the age of 22, I went on my first business trip to Sydney to paint a mural in the city centre. My early twenties were the best time to invest a lot of time and energy into developing a career by practising. <br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>You have a diverse skill set including watercolour, oil painting and illustration. Do you have a preferred medium?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">At the moment I’m drawn to oil painting; it’s the best medium I’ve ever used. It gives me endless opportunities to manipulate the paint to achieve different depths and textures. After decades of using watercolour, my style in oil painting is reminiscent of this. I still appreciate drawing a lot though, and I believe one should never stop drawing.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Can you describe a project that was particularly memorable or challenging for you?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The Casa Cook mural brought a lot of attention; however it was the most challenging project I’d done and so far, the most crucial in my career. Working with interiors is a great opportunity to travel to different locations and explore the vibe of a country. Trips to Greece, Thailand, Sydney and Barcelona were especially memorable because of the beautiful seascapes, my biggest inspiration.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>As an artist who has worked in both physical and digital spaces, how do you see digital influence shaping the future of art?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It’s great that you can make an exhibition online in seconds; but there’s nothing better than a real show. I think we should stick with that reality. I believe in the value of old-school and timeless mediums such as oil canvases will rise over time again.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Looking forward, is there anything new that you hope to explore through your art?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I would like to explore creating larger canvases for public spaces, such as hospitals. It would be brilliant if my works, filled with dreamy mindscapes, could succeed in their mission to evoke such notions as hope, wonder and connection to nature, to self, the body and the heart, creating an intimate conversation between the canvas and the viewer.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Do you have any exciting projects coming up?</strong><br /><br />I am currently working on my upcoming show in Project Space 1 in Arts University Plymouth, due to start at the end of May. You’re welcome to come and see my work in real life or visit my website to see my paintings online at www.karinas.art</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring artists?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Try to draw every day, document your work like a professional, keep up with your online presence, exhibit your work, constantly step out of your comfort zone, travel as much as you can, build networks and admit that being an artist can sometimes feel like a curse! Embrace the struggle that comes with this gift, you’ll feel empty if you’re not creating.</p> <p dir="ltr">Choosing art as a career is a perfect choice; it will test your self discipline, dedication and emotional strength; it’s been the best life path for me I could possibly imagine.<br /></p>

<p>Did you know that Arts University Plymouth graduates are offered a discount of 15% on Masters programme fees? The Alumni Progression Award is available to all alumni, regardless of when they studied with us previously. The discount applies if you studied on one of our pre-degree, foundation or undergraduate programmes. For more information please email <a href="mailto:hello@aup.ac.uk">hello@aup.ac.uk</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Our Masters programmes are designed to foster your artistic growth, with Arts University Plymouth’s dynamic, cross-disciplinary postgraduate community offering a rich environment that provides critical and technical expertise in a range of disciplines. As the UK’s number one arts university, we offer a space in which to refine their practice and fosters experimentation and reflective engagement with issues that are shaping the world we hold in common. Find out more about postgraduate study at our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/open-days">next Open Day</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">For further information or to talk to our team of postgraduate academics about the course, please email <a href="mailto:postgraduate@aup.ac.uk">postgraduate@aup.ac.uk</a>.<br /></p>