Q&A with RUNA
1. When did your passion for art begin?
I believe that all children draw and paint, so I am just another example. The point is to grow and not give up painting anymore.
2. Who or what inspires you most?
I am deeply inspired by art and artists in general, although I naturally have style preferences. We all have tastes and preferences, and in the question below I will detail which artists and styles currently inspire me the most.
3. What is your favorite medium to use?
Oil.
4. What is essential for you to have in your studio / space for creating?
I like to work in a clean, spacious studio with natural light. With silence. Existing sound - namely music - is my choice.
5. Do you have a favourite artist or favourite style?
I would fill a whole page with the names of my artistic references - Portuguese and foreign, but I will reduce it to three or four names only. My two great current references are Howard Hodgkin @howardhodgkin (England, 1932-2017) and Katherine Bradford @kathebradford (USA, b. 1942, is 80 years old) for the magic of their themes, the strong colours they use, in addition to a great expressive freedom in their painting. And my most recent discovery was the Zimbabwean Portia Zvavahera @zvavaheraportia (b. 1985, 37 years old), precisely because of these characteristics: the absolute magic of her painting, in themes and colours.
Artwork: Red Bermudas, 1982 by Howard Hodgkin.
Artwork: Pool, Red Rim, 2017 by Katherine Bradford.
I also have as a great reference Richard Diebenkorn (USA, 1922 – 1993), for its wonderful brushstrokes, as an objective (hard!...) to seek in my painting.
Artwork: Landscape with Smoke, 1960 by Richard Diebenkorn.
Artwork: Red Bermudas, 1982 by Howard Hodgkin.
Artwork: Pool, Red Rim, 2017 by Katherine Bradford.
I also have as a great reference Richard Diebenkorn (USA, 1922 – 1993), for its wonderful brushstrokes, as an objective (hard!...) to seek in my painting.
Artwork: Lemon afternoon in Aries by Julia Maleeva.
6. What does your personal art collection look like?
If I had the space (and the financial capacity) I would have a collection of works by many artists that I admire, and I would also privilege other arts such as ceramics, glass, textiles and sculpture.
7. Can you remember how you began creating?
When I see my paintings made when I was 3 years old, I have a vague idea of painting everything around me – paper, table, fingers, face. That's how it all started. More seriously, it was around 14, 15 years old. I never stopped.
8. Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?
Work hard. Intensely. No truce. And go over obstacles and oppositions. There is always someone who opposes our activities and preferences.
9. Where do you like to travel?
I have very wide preferences, in fact I like everything: countryside, forests, deserts, cities, beach. Peaceful destinations. Or very busy destinations like big cities. There is a time for everything. And in my chronicles, on my website, the most varied destinations can be seen.
Artwork: Red Bermudas, 1982 by Howard Hodgkin.
10. If you could own any piece of art, what would it be and why?
This is a bit tricky question. Naturally, I would like to have a work by my favourite artists. However, I will still highlight another author, totally different, within more metaphysical scenarios: “Self-Portrait as an Earthworm”, by Thierry De Cordier.
1. When did your passion for art begin?
I believe that all children draw and paint, so I am just another example. The point is to grow and not give up painting anymore.
2. Who or what inspires you most?
I am deeply inspired by art and artists in general, although I naturally have style preferences. We all have tastes and preferences, and in the question below I will detail which artists and styles currently inspire me the most.
3. What is your favorite medium to use?
Oil.
4. What is essential for you to have in your studio / space for creating?
I like to work in a clean, spacious studio with natural light. With silence. Existing sound - namely music - is my choice.
5. Do you have a favourite artist or favourite style?
I would fill a whole page with the names of my artistic references - Portuguese and foreign, but I will reduce it to three or four names only. My two great current references are Howard Hodgkin @howardhodgkin (England, 1932-2017) and Katherine Bradford @kathebradford (USA, b. 1942, is 80 years old) for the magic of their themes, the strong colours they use, in addition to a great expressive freedom in their painting. And my most recent discovery was the Zimbabwean Portia Zvavahera @zvavaheraportia (b. 1985, 37 years old), precisely because of these characteristics: the absolute magic of her painting, in themes and colours.
Artwork: Red Bermudas, 1982 by Howard Hodgkin.
Artwork: Pool, Red Rim, 2017 by Katherine Bradford.
10. If you could own any piece of art, what would it be and why?
This is a bit tricky question. Naturally, I would like to have a work by my favourite artists. However, I will still highlight another author, totally different, within more metaphysical scenarios: “Self-Portrait as an Earthworm”, by Thierry De Cordier.
11. If you could meet any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Well, Howard Hodgkin is dead, and I have a deep admiration not only for his art, but also for his way of being and his line of thought. By the way, my other favourite authors are alive, including Thierry De Cordier (b. 1954), so it would be a pleasure to meet them. Moreover, I live daily with other artists - alive and in Lisbon, my city - so I already have the privilege of being able to talk and exchange ideas with these. You don't always have to go very far.
I also have as a great reference Richard Diebenkorn (USA, 1922 – 1993), for its wonderful brushstrokes, as an objective (hard!...) to seek in my painting.
6. What does your personal art collection look like?
If I had the space (and the financial capacity) I would have a collection of works by many artists that I admire, and I would also privilege other arts such as ceramics, glass, textiles and sculpture.
Artwork: Landscape with Smoke, 1960 by Richard Diebenkorn.
7. Can you remember how you began creating?
When I see my paintings made when I was 3 years old, I have a vague idea of painting everything around me – paper, table, fingers, face. That's how it all started. More seriously, it was around 14, 15 years old. I never stopped.
8. Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?
Work hard. Intensely. No truce. And go over obstacles and oppositions. There is always someone who opposes our activities and preferences.
9. Where do you like to travel?
I have very wide preferences, in fact I like everything: countryside, forests, deserts, cities, beach. Peaceful destinations. Or very busy destinations like big cities. There is a time for everything. And in my chronicles, on my website, the most varied destinations can be seen.
10. If you could own any piece of art, what would it be and why?
This is a bit tricky question. Naturally, I would like to have a work by my favourite artists. However, I will still highlight another author, totally different, within more metaphysical scenarios: “Self-Portrait as an Earthworm”, by Thierry De Cordier.
Artwork: Self-Portrait as Earthworm No. 2 (1985-1986), by Thierry De Cordier.
11. If you could meet any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Well, Howard Hodgkin is dead, and I have a deep admiration not only for his art, but also for his way of being and his line of thought. By the way, my other favourite authors are alive, including Thierry De Cordier (b. 1954), so it would be a pleasure to meet them. Moreover, I live daily with other artists - alive and in Lisbon, my city - so I already have the privilege of being able to talk and exchange ideas with these. You don't always have to go very far.