Congratulations to artist Nela Navarrine , our latest Instagram Winner! Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina and now based St Louis, MO, Nela is a full-time mixed media artist who paints flowers inside multiple layers of resin. The result is a painting with depth, dimension and an irregular, unique shape. "I find inspiration in the colors and shapes of nature, especially flowers. Flowers give me joy, make me smile."
What's your art background? Are you self taught or did you study art?
I studied and worked as an information system designer before moving to the US in 2009. I have painted with teachers for many years and was able and brave to share my art here in the US. I didn’t study art in college.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
I find joy and peace in painting. I enjoy the process of creating a piece: looking at it, analyzing what is missing, going back, finishing. I also enjoy when people are attracted to my work.
Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?
Yes, I think my “Latino palette” includes very bright colors.
What do you love about the mediums that you use?
I love to use resin, the endless options that it provides, the ability to combine it with other mediums, the endless shapes, the layers, the transparency. I love all about resin!
When did you discover resin?
January 2020 in a workshop at the Institute of Encaustic Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico. I started using oil and encaustic as mediums. In early 2020, I learned how to use resin and started this new body of work. I paint with oil and encaustic between multiple layers of resin. I create the mold myself. That makes each piece unique.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
It changed it completely. I was able to create more intriguing and attractive pieces while still using oil and encaustic. I feel that there is so much more to explore about resin in the future too.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Well, art helped me to heal a loss many years ago. Now it is one of my purposes to share with others that art can heal, help, make happy. I volunteer at some organizations to inspire people to express themselves through art.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
I hope that they are invited to look closer, to look deeper, to wonder how this was made, to enjoy the colors, to smile.
How do you define success as an artist? What does success look and feel like for you?
Success as an artist is when you smile while painting and the audience smiles while looking at your work.
Where do you sell your work?
I sell my work at Art Fairs in St Louis and Chicago, through exhibitions or to clients.
To see more of Nela's work:
Visit her website: www.nelanavarrine.com
Follow her on Instagram: @nelacolor
Congratulations on your win, Nela!
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have tagged us on Instagram, showing the work they've created with ArtResin.
Don't forget to tag YOUR ArtResin work with @art_resin on Instagram, and YOU could be our next winner!
ArtResin: Made For Artists, By Artists.
