Mala Petit Art
Freiheit interviewed German artist Alla Unrau, who talked about art, inspiration, freedom and where she wants to stand as an artist.
I bumped into Mala Petit Art when I was fishing on Instagram for fresh new art on a rainy afternoon. Sometimes it's quite hard to find something different and inspiring on this social media, the land of mirror selfies and artisanal coffee valencia filtered photos. Instagram can be magical or savourless depending on your luck, but that Sunday the hashtag "art" introduced me to the fascinating work of Alla Unrau. There is something about her art that catches the eye. Maybe it's the vibrant colours or the fact that the simplicity of her art brings a kind of relaxation. The freedom of her unique style really caught my attention.
Alla talked to Freiheit about her art, her colours, her childhood in Russia, and we discovered where she finds her inspiration to work on her art.
Alla talked to Freiheit about her art, her colours, her childhood in Russia, and we discovered where she finds her inspiration to work on her art.
Paula Andriguetto @paulandriguetto
Mala Petit Art
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Mala Petit Art
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Freiheit: What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?
Alla: My Name is Alla Unrau, no nickname!
F: Where are you from and where are you based now?
A: I was born in Russia, I live in the south of Germany since I was seven years old.
F: How old are you now?
A: I am 31 years old.
F: When did you start to develop your art?
A: I started to develop my skills about a year ago, when I decided to publish my art online.
F: What is your background?
A: I am a self taught artist. I was always passionate about colours and creating, I started painting when I was 10. My background is in IT.
F: Do you have any memories of your childhood in Russia? Do you think your background in Russia has any influence on your art?
A: I remember how cold the winter in Russia was. I also remember that I did not have many friends, I was more of a loner and I had a difficult time playing in groups, I was very shy so I was hanging out by myself most of the time. I also used to listen to classic music, Bach, Mozart... I really enjoyed the calm, relaxing sounds.
My childhood had a huge influence on my art, my mom taught me how to paint even though she is not an artist at all. She wanted me to have a hobby so she would draw and paint with me almost everyday. My sister was always drawing fashion sketches or Disney characters, I really admire her artwork.
I do the same with my daughter now, I try to show her different techniques and materials. She is been enjoying art and I've actually just hung one of her paintings in my bedroom.
Mala Petit Art
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"...when you take a nice slow walk and look at the flowers, mountains, animals... then you start to see how vibrant the colours are, how fascinating certain shapes look, it's all about details. Nothing is more beautiful than the creation of nature." |
F: What technique do you use? Have you always worked with this technique and why?
A: I primarily use acrylics, watercolour and pastels. The art process is about combining different textures and colours using layers of paint. I'm a lover of trying out new things and experimenting new tools that cross my hands. I've always used acrylics in the past but I became a huge fan of watercolour.
F: And what is your inspiration?
A: Everything around me inspires me and gives me new ideas... Nature and the colours you see outside are very inspiring.
F: You said that the colours of nature inspire you. Could you give more details about that? Is it flowers, animals, mountains, the sea…
A: I love flowers and their colours, ever since I was a child I see the world around me differently, brighter and deeper. When you rush to work you don't really recognize the beauty of nature and its colours, but when you take a nice slow walk and look at the flowers, mountains, animals... then you start to see how vibrant the colours are, how fascinating certain shapes look, it's all about details. nothing is more beautiful than the creation of Nature. My Instagram Info says " Mother Nature has the best Box of crayons" and it's very true. Some plants or flowers have colours I've never seen in a store.
F: We love the colours that you use in your work. Could you tell us a little bit about them?
A: I really like vibrant colours, or soft pastel colours, mixing them together can give a nice effect. Sometimes I mix all types of colours, it's fun to watch the result. I try many different brands from different countries.
F: What is freedom to you?
A: Freedom is a state of mind. It is being you without anyone's permission. It is when we let go of who we were suppose to be and embrace who we really are.
A: I primarily use acrylics, watercolour and pastels. The art process is about combining different textures and colours using layers of paint. I'm a lover of trying out new things and experimenting new tools that cross my hands. I've always used acrylics in the past but I became a huge fan of watercolour.
F: And what is your inspiration?
A: Everything around me inspires me and gives me new ideas... Nature and the colours you see outside are very inspiring.
F: You said that the colours of nature inspire you. Could you give more details about that? Is it flowers, animals, mountains, the sea…
A: I love flowers and their colours, ever since I was a child I see the world around me differently, brighter and deeper. When you rush to work you don't really recognize the beauty of nature and its colours, but when you take a nice slow walk and look at the flowers, mountains, animals... then you start to see how vibrant the colours are, how fascinating certain shapes look, it's all about details. nothing is more beautiful than the creation of Nature. My Instagram Info says " Mother Nature has the best Box of crayons" and it's very true. Some plants or flowers have colours I've never seen in a store.
F: We love the colours that you use in your work. Could you tell us a little bit about them?
A: I really like vibrant colours, or soft pastel colours, mixing them together can give a nice effect. Sometimes I mix all types of colours, it's fun to watch the result. I try many different brands from different countries.
F: What is freedom to you?
A: Freedom is a state of mind. It is being you without anyone's permission. It is when we let go of who we were suppose to be and embrace who we really are.
Mala Petit Art
"Freedom is a state of mind. It is being you without anyones permission. It is when we let go of who we were suppose to be and embrace who we really are."
Mala Petit Art
F: What is art to you?
A: Life is full of art, it is vital and creating it is a fun process.
F: Do you sell your work? Where?
A: Yes I do, I also plan on selling my art online by the beginning of 2017.
F: Do you follow the work of other artists on social media? Who are they?
A: I definitely do, this is where I also get a lot of inspirations. I am a huge fan of Miranda Scoczek's Art. There are so many artist I love and admire.
F: Please, tell us a quote to live by.
A: Let all that you do, be done in love. Focus on the good and let the past be the past.
A: Life is full of art, it is vital and creating it is a fun process.
F: Do you sell your work? Where?
A: Yes I do, I also plan on selling my art online by the beginning of 2017.
F: Do you follow the work of other artists on social media? Who are they?
A: I definitely do, this is where I also get a lot of inspirations. I am a huge fan of Miranda Scoczek's Art. There are so many artist I love and admire.
F: Please, tell us a quote to live by.
A: Let all that you do, be done in love. Focus on the good and let the past be the past.
Mala Petit Art
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Mala Petit Art
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Mala Petit Art
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Mala Petit Art
Mala Petit Art
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Mala Petit Art
Find more about Alla Unrau : @mala_petit_art
