Action Painting in your own four walls
UI Designer Manina talks about her creative hobby
VWGIS colleague Manina is 28 years young and has been working as a UI designer and artist at the UXCC User Experience Competence Center since 2021. In addition to her bachelor's degree in Digital Environments at HAWK Hildesheim, she has discovered action painting as a hobby and gives us a little insight into her skills.
Dear Manina, thank you for taking the time to tell us more about your hobby of action painting. How did you actually get into art and painting?
Manina: It all started in April 2020, when I used all the free time I had during the pandemic to actively start painting canvases. The passion for art and painting has always been a part of me, so I decided to study design back then.
With all the exams at university, the creative part took a back seat during the course of my studies. But as chance would have it, I came across an artist who does action painting. So I bought canvases and paints for home.
That sounds really great! But how do you come up with the ideas for your abstract artworks?
Manina: Basically, the ideas often come spontaneously. To put it simply, at the beginning I just feel like working with different colours and designing. I always ask myself: How do the colours work and interact with each other? When I can give free rein to my emotions, abstract works emerge all by themselves. In the end, creating the compositions is what I enjoy the most. I always lay out my canvases on the floor in the living room, because otherwise the colours would run on an easel. On the side, there's always a bit of music playing, a podcast or the TV on in the background with series like Gilmore Girls. 😄
I currently use two artistic techniques: either I apply the colours to the canvas with sweeping movements, the previously mentioned action painting, or I use the technique of pendulum painting. Here I let a perforated paint pot hang from the ceiling and swing.
When do you take time out to paint and how much time do you need for a work of art?
Manina: I usually paint after work and when my private calendar allows. As a rule, I only need two weeks to complete a composition. But it has also happened that I work on a painting for two months until I like it. But I often try to finish faster because painting takes up my whole living room. 😄
And what equipment is necessary for action painting?
Manina: I mostly use acrylic paints, dried brushes and old cups for Pendulum Painting. But I don't need any special equipment. It is only important to me that I can paint and work sustainably, for example with leftover yoghurt pots, spoons and old brushes.
That sounds very responsible and environmentally friendly! Do you also have a role model when it comes to art?
Manina: My absolute favourite artist is Jackson Pollock. I regularly draw inspiration from him and other artists and look for suitable colour combinations that I can then adapt for my paintings and ideas.
We thank Manina for this exciting insight into the world of action painting and the great pictures, which are really worth seeing!
More about Manina's art
For all of you who are now curious about Manina's artwork, you can get a further impression on her website pikaldesign.com.