I had another chance to interview a fellow artist, this time Polish surrealist artist Paulina Góra. She tells about her favorite style of art and how music, movies and her children inspire her.

Tanja: Paulina, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions. Would you please tell something about you and your interests?
Paulina: I don’t know what to say about myself. I am a mom first, an ordinary mom. I am interested in many things but don’t have much time. I spend all my free time painting because I like to do this the most. I also like reading, watching movies, listening to music…

Which kind of art do you like, which not, and why?
My favorite style of painting… Hmm… I like very dreamy, surreal paintings. I like the romanticism in art and symbolism. And I admire the old masters.

I like your art because it is so very unique. The figures almost always have those big eyes and small mouths. Can you tell how and why you developed this style?
I really don’t know, somehow while working… I don’t always paint planned paintings. I often paint under the impression of the moment… and I think it began this way, without plan or intention. It’s as if the characters themselves wanted to say something, tell their own story.

From your profile on dA I learned that your favorite writers – amongst others – are Kafka, Poe and Verne. Did they influence your art? If so: how?
I really like to read, although I have a huge backlog now I never really thought about whether these writers influenced what I do, it’s more subconsciously I think. I really like the atmosphere of secrecy and mystery, also I love various fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen.

What else influences your art (movies, other artists, people in your life…) and in which way?
I think music can have a huge impact, it certainly helps to calm down and enter the right mood. And yes, I like movies, I love Japanese movies: Akira Kurosawa and “Ugetsu monogatari”, directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. Generally I am a film buff, I guess. The biggest influence on my work have my children, they give me inspiration and strength. Well, and some personal experience, searching…

From what I can see, you usually paint with oil colors. Did you try other materials and did you like them/not like them? Why/why not?
I like oil colors the most because of their beautiful deep colors. I also like pencil drawing. I don’t like watercolors, Maybe because I don’t know them well. I admire artists who use them, it certainly requires really great skill

Since when do you create art and can you remember how and why you started it?
Honestly, I think it was most probable in kindergarten. I loved to draw, thanks to my teacher of art

Do you remember your very first painting and do you still own it?
Yes, my first oil painting. It was a still life and my mom has it.

We know each other from deviantArt. In which other art-related communities are you active and do you use them for different purposes?
I like dA the most , but I also use Facebook. There I am in touch with my friends who I live very very much

Which tips do you have for people who want to start painting?
Heh … I mean I try to follow this rule, the painting is to give joy … I’m trying to build skills and learn as much as possible, you need to do something consequently

Related to your art: what are you the most proud of?
I am very happy when I finished something as intended, but after a while I am dissatisfied and I see my own errors

Related to your art: What do you want to achieve in future?
I would like to further develop my skills, and I also want to give a bit of joy to others

Thank you very much, Paulina, for this interesting interview!

Paulina on deviantArt
Paulina’s Fanpage on Facebook