Our community of artists is the core foundation of Artfinder. With such a vast community based in all corners of the world, we wanted to help them share more about their artist journey, their artistic process and technique and what inspires them. Today, we chat with one of our amazing painters, Laura Muolo.
Can you introduce yourself, where you are from and how long you have been with Artfinder for?
My name is Laura Muolo, I am an Italian artist, and I live in the province of Rimini, Italy. I have been with Artfinder since 2015.
How would you describe your work?
My work is mainly painting, but also drawing. I like to represent surreal scenes linked to memories or settings relating to desires inherent in our unconscious. I love representing facial expressions, especially in the action of thinking.
What influences you and your work?
My work is influenced by contemporary artists such as Elisa Anfuso, Roberto Ferri and many others who, like the masters of the past, have given particular attention to technique and form, but at the same time tell stories in a contemporary way, creating mystical and surreal settings. Of the artists of the past, however, I adore Rembrant, for his desire to discover many ways of painting, Caravaggio for his representation of characters who emerge from the shadows to be illuminated by the light, Veermer for his meticulousness in the search for color.
What does your creative process involve?
I start by photographing my subjects and sometimes I start from photos taken on the web to insert them into landscape contexts made up of houses from the past, lots of vegetation and animals. I try to create a magical dialogue between these elements, to create a scene where time stops to observe various elements in their interaction. The main subject must think, remember or desire and the various elements tell what is in his mind to show it to the viewer. Sometimes I love to portray only the faces of my characters, and sometimes I still love to insert material fixed on the canvas that gives depth, that helps to better understand the character of the subject.
Have you changed as an artist overtime?
I think that more than change, I am constantly growing. I slowly understand where I want to go and more and more what I like to do.
What’s your favourite artwork you created and why?
My favourite work? In reality, I have more than one... I could mention two in the meantime: "Lo I vevelo", a painting that represents a young nun with a shadow behind her representing thick hair. This painting represents the condition of the Iranian woman, forced to wear a veil, but who has so much fire inside to rebel against the oppression and dogmas imposed by her culture, but also more generally about women, often abused and violated in their identity. That tuft of hair that comes out beautifully curly is a sign of the temperament she has within her. My second favourite is "The Hare's Game" both for the composition, for the originality of the representation and for the message I wanted to give: the destiny of man, hiding behind scapegoats, putting on masks to hide the crime.
What do you think is the role of art/artists in society?
I think that art must be a push for reflection, it must unite various thoughts and it must excite by speaking and representing above all social and general themes.
What advice do you have for emerging artists looking to make a living out of their art career?
I don't have any targeted advice to give, also because everyone has their own path, their fortunes and misfortunes. The only thing I can say, looking at my professional experience, is that it takes time to make yourself known and to learn how to do this job well. Then to make a living, it's not enough to wait for collectors to buy your works, also because the market is really fluctuating and you can't rely on it too much. I would say that it would be better to perhaps teach your art to enthusiasts and in the meantime also work on yourself by creating something personal.
Cover image via Laura Muolo
