Spanish artistMonica Ajenjouses these joyful memories as the inspiration for her incredible hyperrealistic paintings.
Read on for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
When did you start making art?
As far back as I can remember, I always made art.
It was a very natural process for me that started very early on as a child.
I was enchanted by the drawings from the art encyclopedia; I got trapped in the images of paintings.
I even remember drawing images from films that I had just seen.
Images always were part of my natural language.
Why did you choose to pursue hyperrealistic painting?
It wasn’t really a choice, it was more of a gradual process.
In time, I have come to realize that the technique chooses you, you dont choose the technique.
Most of your paintings focus on voluminous bows and nylon balloons.
What is it that draws you to this subject?
Bows were the first objects I painted.
The series iconizes a traditional contemporary object: gift bows.
Later on and following the same tracks, I started experimenting with balloons.
They also possess a similar reflection and vitality to bows.
They contribute more complex and suggestive compositions.
Can you walk us through your artistic process from start to finish?
I am always in the search for colorful bows that inspire me, looking for new colors and shapes.
I acquire them and then leave them lying around in my studio to use later on as models.
This is when I proceed to paint them, trying to bring up something new with my brushes.
What do you have a go at achieve or express in each piece?
Bows and balloons trigger memories of childhood and relate to your inner child.
Is there anything more exciting than opening a present?
They are positive omens of everything good that is to come.
To me, objects such as bows and balloons are contemporary representations of the celebration of life.
How has your artistic practice changed over time?
I tried many different lines of work.
What is your most important artist tool?
I buy all the new gadgets I find and venture to use them for multiple purposes.
Is there an artwork you are most proud of?
I am a perfectionist and I am never completely satisfied with my pieces.
I see defects that no one else sees…
It touches a bit of your soul.
I find it very moving.
Which artists or works of art inspire you?
I draw inspiration out of everything and all different art forms and styles.
I am truly interested in everything.
How do you know when a work is finished?
And then it is almost like the piece makes the decision on its own, independently from you.
If it was only on me, I would never draw the last brush stroke.
It is hard to say goodbye to your work.
What is the best thing about being an artist?
It is then that my work makes complete sense to me.
The creative process is indeed complex.
