Tinam Valk
Berwyn Heights, Maryland
Website
WWW.TINAMVALK.COM
Social Media
Instagram
How would you describe your work?
For the past couple of years, I have been working on a series of paintings featuring figures and animals within land and waterscapes. My approach is painterly and ambiguous; rather than telling a specific story, my intention is to merely allude to one.
I am not interested in directing what the viewer should see. Instead, I prefer their own personal, emotional interpretation of the work.
What inspires you?
My practice is inspired for a large part by both contemporary artists and the art history canon. I find a great deal of motivation in reading about other artists’ lives and processes and watching art documentaries. My favorite art podcast is “A Brush with...” where Ben Luke interviews major contemporary artists.
Ultimately, however, I find that the act of painting itself is what most consistently inspires more painting.
Can you speak about your process?
I tend to work in series, starting with a general idea of the subject matter while remaining flexible with the composition to be able to let the painting guide me, more or less.
There are usually about three paintings in progess in my studio to avoid overworking any single piece; if I get stuck on one, I can simply shift my focus to another. My work explores “layers”, as in either emotional, or in age and history, which I try to convey through the physical application of materials. I use a variety of mixed media—including oil, acrylic, and oil sticks—along with modeling paste, sand, soil, leaves, paper, pieces of fabric, constantly erasing and building up again.
How did you become interested in art?
As many others I was always drawing as a child. There was one book about art in my childhood home which I studied frequently from age 6 to 13. I loved artclass all thru my school years but I never thought I would be good enough to actually pursue it as an occupation. Nevertheless, I went to art school and it became a lifelong passion and career.
Do you have any favorite artists, movies, books, or quotes?
I have many artists on my list whom I admire: two of the contemporary favourites are Anselm Kiefer and Neo Rauch.
Among the “classics” are: Camille Corot, R.A. Blakelock, Caspar David Friedrich.
Movies: The White Ribbon by Michael Haneke and Ida by Pawel Pawlikowski
Books: two very important authors for me are W.G.Sebald and Jenny Erpenbeck. On my bookshelf is their whole oeuvre, to which I return frequently.
Quotes:
Gerhard Richter: “I don’t believe in the absolute picture. There can only be approximations, experiments and beginnings, over and over again.”
Jake Berthot: “I attempt to paint silence before it completely disappears.”
Any more thoughts about art, creativity, or anything else you would like to share?
It is a privilege to be an artist. It cannot be taken away from you no matter what happens in life.
