Interview with Petra Bernstein
Born and raised in the German countryside near Munich, Petra learned to appreciate nature at an early age. She uses both photography and painting to express her deep connection to nature. Petra’s artwork ranges from close-up photographs and paintings of flora and fauna to abstract interpretations of nature’s mysteries. Her latest series of paintings are inspired by water reflections and vary in their degree of abstraction. Living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, she is surrounded by water and marsh land. Petra is inspired by the rhythmic reflections and ever changing light conditions of the Wicomico River. She balances her time shooting outdoors with the tranquility of her studio.
Petra Bernstein earned a BFA, Summa Cum Laude from Salisbury University in 2007 with a concentration in Painting. Additionally, she has a BS from the University of Regensburg in Germany.
Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? And your first experience in art making.
My desire to create art came from my admiration for nature. The first little painting I did was of a small bouquet of flower that my daughter and I picked on one of our many nature walks.
It was not until my late thirties that I decided to go back to school to study art. In 2007, I ended up with a BFA with a concentration in painting. I have spent the last decade exploring different subject matters and mediums. Over the last few years, I started incorporating photography into my art.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
I consider myself and my art as spiritual and inquisitive. Every painting is a continuation of a previous version of myself. We all are the product of our own history and the art making process is no different. Life experience, relationships, hardships and joy all add up to who we are. I like to evolve and continue to push myself to new ways of interpreting what I see and feel. My artwork is a visual interpretation of all that inspires me. My diverse ideas originate in the complexity of my mind, where I am able to create something that is unique to me.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
My art is deeply influenced by the beauty and the mystery of nature. Finding new ways of interpreting what I find when I go out into nature is an intriguing challenge that will only deepen as I age.
What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?
Ideally, I want the viewer to raise questions. I would like the viewer to remain in a moment for a little while and leave with a deeper admiration for art and for the natural world.
When do you know that an artwork is finished?
My artwork is finished when I can’t make it any better; and when I can release it out into the world with the knowledge that I did my best. A quote by Rothko has influenced my thinking about the art making process: “Pictures must be miraculous. The instant one is completed the intimacy between the creation and the creator is ended. He is the outsider. The picture must be for him as for anyone experiencing it, a revelation.” All that being said, some paintings are never finished, they just don’t work. But failure is an important part of growing.
What has been the most excited moment in your art career so far?
Last summer, I participated in a group show in Milan at the Spazio Tadini with two of my double exposure photographs, incorporating my paintings into my photography process. All the participating artists had the chance to speak about their works in front of the audience, which I enjoyed very much. After the talks, the curator came up to me with a man who had more questions for me. He ended up buying both works that evening. It is a beautiful moment when you see someone fall in love with your artwork.
How long does it take to produce one work?
The time it takes to produce a work depends on the size and the medium. My oil paintings take me about a week or two, sometimes up to a month. I try to work every day once I start a new painting in order to stay connected with it. My pastels and water colors take a few hours or a day.
What exciting projects are you working on right now? Can you share some of your future plans for your artwork?
I am currently working on a heart design for a foundation for a heart patient. And I am finishing up a commission for a dog portrait. My plans for my art will be a continuation of my current work. I am especially drawn to the water and the surface reflections, and I intend to continue capturing and painting the water.
Do you have any upcoming events or exhibitions we should know about?
In March, I will be showing several of my works in a group show called “Strong Women of the Eastern Shore” in Crisfield, Maryland. I am looking forward to my Solo Show “Nature and Beyond” at the Dorcester Center for the Arts in Cambridge, Maryland, which will be on display during the month of April. In June of 2020, I will participate in a group show at the Spazio Tadini in Milan, Italy.
Where do you see your art go in five years?
Hopefully, I will continue to grow as an artist and maintain my need to create something that free from boundaries.
Website: www.petrabenstein.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/petrabernsteinart
Instagram: www.instagram.com/petra.bernstein
