Maike is our latest ArtResin Winner!

Congratulations to artist Maike of @maicrylic_arts, our latest ArtResin winner!  Based in Hameln, Germany, Maike works in both fluid and mixed media art: 

" My art is the abstract realization and interpretation of past journeys and natural spectacles—of a walk through flower fields or a refreshing swim in the sea. The flow of color is at the heart of all my works. Vivid gradients with charming details, or fluid transitions with texture and little hidden treasures. I’d say my art is the spring that never ends, or a seaside vacation, or that one weekend getaway into nature."

Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?

I've been living in Hameln, Germany, for three years now.  Before that, I spent several years in Hamburg, and prior to that, I called the sea my home for several years— without a place of my own, just a a bed at my parents' house. I traveled the world's oceans on small cruise ships and still draw a great deal of inspiration from that time working as a crew member on board.  Waking up somewhere new every day and exploring the most remote places and cultures in the wordl continues to enrich me to this day.

My current place of living may not be the main source of my inspiration, but it still inspires me—absolutely. The green forests and wide meadows of the Weser Uplands bloom so beautifully in spring and summer, and I find inspiration even in the smallest details of nature. Whether it’s a single blossom stubbornly defying the cold between patches of snow, the annual visit to the garden center when planting season begins again, or my own garden.

If I could choose any place to live without having to give up anything, I’d probably choose somewhere where you can see the sea all year round, surrounded by lush nature and a world full of flowers.

What's your art background?  Are you self-taught or did you study art?

My love for art came about by a lucky coincidence during the pandemic, when I quit working aboard and moved to Hamburg. In school, I always enjoyed art class, but after graduating I chose a path that fit more into what people might consider the “typical” ideal and a “real” job. I think it’s a shame that as we grow up, creativity is somewhat trained out of us and we’re expected to fit into certain molds.

That’s why I’m so grateful that the lockdown and that period of stillness gave me the chance to reconnect with my hidden passions and talents. One creative evening at a friend’s place was the spark that set everything else in motion. After that, I experimented tirelessly, practiced, and kept evolving. In the beginning, I discovered my love for acrylic pouring, and later expanded into mixed media art.

Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?

I believe everyone needs dreams that feel within reach. I dream of a large, light-filled studio with floor-to-ceiling windows somewhere in nature, where the morning sun pours in and the birds are singing. A place where colorful flowers dance softly in the breeze and the leaves in the trees rustle. Where bees and butterflies flit from blossom to blossom, and I can bring my creative journeys and adventures to life from morning till night. I haven’t yet taken the final step into full-time art—the risks and challenges of being self-employed still hold me back a little—so for now I steady myself with a full-time job. But who knows what tomorrow may bring…

What do you love about the mediums that you use in your work?

What I love most about working with different mediums is that sometimes it feels as if I’m standing in a chemistry lab. I wear nitrile gloves and weigh things down to the gram, I test different effects by mixing various mediums, all while wearing a respirator mask. I work with wind, I work with fire, I work with heat. Yet there always remains a certain level of unpredictability—no matter how carefully I prepare or plan. The result is almost always a little surprise, but that’s exactly what makes it so exciting.

How did you discover resin?

In the beginning of making art, I did a lot of research about different techniques, reading, and YouTube-watching, and at some point I stumbled across epoxy resin. I asked myself: What is this shiny liquid and why do the colors look so brilliant and beautiful with it? So I tried it myself—and ever since then, I’ve been completely fascinated by resin.

How has resin impacted your artwork?

Resin is a high-quality refinement of my artworks. I feel that its shine gives a special sense of value and makes every color glow. Metallics and shimmering pigments, in particular, become even more striking, and I’m always amazed by the depth resin can create in a piece. Working with resin also led me naturally into mixed media, and with that came my love for texture and detail—without ever losing my passion for the flow of color.

Can you provide a brief rundown of your process? 

At the beginning, there’s always the inspiration and a vision of the desired outcome. Then comes the planning: the right size, the design, and the suitable surface for the piece. I’ve worked on glass, ceramics, wood, canvas, aluminum dibond, and pure resin. After choosing the right technique, materials, and colors, I prepare the surface and start with my liquid color application. Sometimes I work in several layers and manipulate the transitions until my eye is satisfied and I can recognize my inspiration again.

After that, I add details, little treasures, and either a varnish or multiple layers of epoxy resin. No artwork leaves my home without proper color protection—because I want the colors to stay brilliant and protected for many years. Finally, there are the finishing touches: edges, signature, possibly ordering a suitable frame—and of course taking lots of photos for my website and social media.

Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?

Creating art means switching off and letting go of the sometimes hectic everyday life. It motivates me to portray my endless enthusiasm for nature and landscapes in an abstract way and turn it into paintings and sculptures. What makes me truly happy is being able to work with vibrant colors and getting a real dopamine boost from it. It simply feels good to have color on my hands and to create something that exists only once in the entire world—something that can last for generations and bring joy.

Does art help you in other areas of your life?

Yes, I think so. I believe that my eye for detail helps me appreciate even the little things in everyday life, and my love for color and aesthetics brings me joy in many areas.

What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?

I hope that viewers discover their own joy in colorful artworks and fall in love with my pieces. Maybe they’re reminded of a wonderful vacation, a trip to the sea, or a beautiful springtime walk in nature. My art is meant to radiate positive energy, lift the mood, and bring happiness.

How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?

That’s a difficult question… Sometimes I feel like I’m not successful because I can’t live and work as a full-time artist yet. You start comparing yourself to others and see how successful other great artists are, how well they make a living from their work, and then doubts creep in.
But then I also think about the fact that I can completely express myself, fully embrace my perfectionist tendencies without being judged, and enjoy the freedom to work entirely according to my own ideas and desires. In essence, that is pure fulfillment—because I’m not creating for external validation, but for my own well-being. And that is a beautiful feeling.

What's your favorite resin tip you'd like to share with our readers?

Ohhh… there is quite a lot, I’d say, that makes working with resin easier and more successful. But for starters, I’d say it’s always worth going through the room with a spray bottle beforehand. Lightly misting the air makes dust particles and tiny hairs fall to the ground instead of landing in the resin while you’re working.

Where do you sell your work?

I mainly sell my pieces on my own website, www.maicrylicarts.com, or at smaller exhibitions in Germany. By the way, the name “Maicrylicarts” comes from my first name, “Maike,” combined with “acrylics.” :-)