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Something Abstract | Maite Benito Agahnia
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True friendship is a funny thing. After 35 years, and thousands of miles away…I am as close to my childhood bff’s as I ever was and it seems like we reconnect with such ease, as if we had just seen each other the day before. My school reunion was also a blast, to think I have known some of these people since I was 9 is crazy. There was so much love and appreciation in that room, it really made me so happy. It was a great weekend, I came back a few pounds heavier, but very inspired by my culture, my city, and my people. I am ready and re-charged to start crossing off my to-do list of duties, pleasures, work, and explorations.
First on the list:
I am going to start by doing a FAQ (frequently asked questions…for those of you who were “huh?”) page about my art, but for that I need your help, and I want to make it fun, so here is the deal.
If you ask me a question on here and I use it for my page I will enter your name on a giveaway drawing for this painting. (I will ship it to you at no cost) I am looking for a total of about 20 that I will use, so your chances for the painting are pretty damn good…If you think of a good question, that is.
ribbons: 8×8 mixed media on canvas
I welcome every question, it can be about my life, about photography about my art and its process : the process in my head and out on to the canvas) As you know I am not particularly serious, so I will also pick a few questions that allow for humor. Nothing perverted or sick or inappropriate or disrespectful, those won’t make the cut…though I’m sure will amuse me in private.
If you ask me a question and I don’t use it, I will still enter your name for the drawing of this monotype. (I will ship it to you at no cost)
reflections: monotype 1/1 original print.
Invite your friends, check out my website to get more acquainted
ready? set, go!
*taps fingers in anticipation*
36 Responses to "This can be yours –> for free, yeah…really!"
What different types of media do you like to use in your art?
Ohhhhhhhhh what a great idea !!! I want this painting so bad !!!!!
Dear Maite, I was just wondering what are the countries you’ve been travelling to ??? and which are the ones you’re expecting to visit next ?
What’s the one thing that zaps your inspiration and how do you combat it?
what has inspired you most recently to paint? are you inspired differently with your photography? if yes, in what way?
What do you think your art says about yourself?
Who or what inspired you to become an artist? How or in what way?
Who is your favorite painter ?…
I love what you do by the way (paintings and pictures)
If given the chance to be a fly on the wall, where would you go first?
Do you use toothpicks to create all the lines – maybe gesso first and then draw them in??? Then pick your teeth?
How much do you love me?
Does your talent come from one parent or is it a combination of both?
If you could be any type of car what would it be?
What was your experience with artistic inspiration during your childhood/upbringing? Have you known since you were young that you wanted to be solely an artist?
I absolutely love your work and find you very inspiring, thanks for sharing your vision with the world!!!
-Jen
Mmm you are such an amazing painter and friend…
Love you soooooo much!!!
I am having a hard time signing my art, as an artist I feel I should use my maiden name but as a wife and mom I feel I should use my married name.
My question is: why did you choose to sign your name Maite Aghania instead of Maite Benito or Maite Benito Aghania…
simple but complex
Such wonderful questions! I can’t wait to start answering! I think I am going to answer them all on formspring, but I will choose about 20 for my FAQ.
thanks to everyone for participating…keep going!
Your style is so deep and conveys a lot of emotions, do you ever struggle with balancing how much you reveal through your art?
How do you proceed with the work if something bothers you about it and you’re unsure what that is or why it bugs you?
And how do you get so many people to read your funny, entertaining, personal, interesting blog?! Hmm, I wonder… !
Do you ever suffer artists block? If so how do you overcome this?
How wonderful!
How do you maintain the balance in your life? Creative v business, life v work, juggling schedules… ?
If Van Gogh had been as stunningly beautiful and multi-talented as you do you think he would have still cut his ear off?
So many people say that they put a little of themselves in their art, do you feel this is true for you and if so, does it make it hard to see some paintings go?
well, will it be a FAQ Page, or a page of questions that were asked when you requested that they be asked. I’m confused. Is it really a QAWR page? (questions asked when requested, for those of you who were “huh?”) :]
In any case –
What would you be doing if you didn’t have the talent, eye, and skill for art and photography that you obviously have? Where do you think you’d be, what do you think you’d do? In other words, is there anything else that calls to you?
And second – when do we get to see some of your photos on your website. When do you start billing yourself as an artist AND photographer. you deserve to do so
When you start to paint a piece do you have images or ideas in your head of what you want it to look like or does it just develop on it’s own?
How do you know that your work is finished? i.e. When do you say o.k….. this is just perfect!
What a blessed and open mind you have inorder to create such beautiful works of art! What inspires you most?
If you were to make me abstract what color would I be?
First off, Maite, you are amazingly talented and I am so glad to have found you on flickr. I enjoy your paintings, photography and sense of humor immensely. Now, here are the questions:
Do you ever get an idea late at night and just *have* to jump out of bed and start painting? (It’s happened to me and my ideas are nowhere as good as yours, lol!)
and
Do you listen to music while painting? What?
Hi Maite! So I am wondering what your family thinks of your art? Are they proud? Confused on a painting’s meaning? Wish you’d stop leaving brushes & unfinished work all over the house? Are they creative too?
Do you have a finished piece in your head when you start or are you more of a conduit to your art? in other words (maybe more understandable… maybe not…) Do you control your art or does it control you? Are you ever surprised by what ends up appearing?
Do you find the multitasking required in raising a family
fosters and spurs you on creatively and has had a positive effect on the way you see yourself as an artist?
An answer may get you a cup of coffee next time I run into
you …..
How do you keep you energy/focus moving thru the entire painting without running out of steam? Your connection to the colors and forms is balanced and exciting. I love this piece!
ooops…forgot: Where do you start — with an idea, line, color or what???
I love everything you do… and here is my question to you..
What is the most memorable experience you have had during the making of a creation or after the piece was finished?
It may be too late to participate in the drawings, but I had a question or two…
- does your Latino heritage / background afford you a different perspective or view on abstract art? If so, how does your work differ from others due to this?
- has your photography improved your art or has your art improved your photography? Both?
Thank you.
I would love to know what thought/feeling process you go through to know what and where to start on an art peice?
Good question Nancy, and the true answer is. I don’t always know. I am constantly thinking, questioning things I see, and wanting to explore ideas, or shapes or colors in my paintings. Sometimes, there is no plan. I just start and develop as I go along. Other times, it is an idea I have had that I expand on, experiment, explore, test and finally act on. At the end it may transform into something else. Or stay as the original plan. I am open to change. Sometimes, I may not recall the original idea. My mind is a complicated place, I loose things in there all the time.
I thrive on that evolution, on the process of an original idea and how it continues to evolve or sometimes morph into something else. I enjoy releasing some control.
Nature has a way of soothing people and making them connect with their inner selves. Perhaps that is why landscape paintings are so popular. Beautiful flowers, trees, mountains, rivers, deserts and greenery all over – nature’s wonders are the best muse an artist can get to be inspired.