Interview with Ute Bivona
Ute Bivona is an experienced German painter who has exhibited her work nationally and internationally. As a child, she often felt abandoned and alone and fled into the magical world of colors, painting, drawing and reading to feel better. Through her lively abstract compositions, she tries to express her moods, thoughts, fears, hopes, sadness and joy and to take the viewer into her joyful, peaceful and, above all, colorful world.
Ute, you've had a remarkable career spanning over 15 years, gaining recognition worldwide. Can you elaborate on the pivotal moments or influences that led you to become a full-time artist? How did your journey in the art world begin, and what were some of the challenges you faced along the way?
I have drawn and painted my whole life long. Painting has always been my way to create a better, colorful world when things went wrong. But I was scared to be an artist so I first chose financial security and studied Communicational Design and started as a Designer and Illustrator for textbook publishers and layouter for state authorities. But to be sincere - it ruined my creativity because it didn't give room for artistic freedom.
While working as an executive in an international company for years which had nothing to do with creativity I rediscovered painting as a way of balancing my work and my inner needs, a type of healing myself. I discovered that people suddenly wanted to buy my artworks so painting became more and more important to me.
I was torn between financial security in my daytime job and my "calling", my art that gave me strength and self-confidence. This ordeal didn't go well for long so I broke down completely in a serious burnout. I couldn't get out of bed, couldn't move, every little movement took an incredible amount of time and energy. To go out made me panic and was a nearly impossible challenge. It was very clear that I had to decide which path I wanted to go.
I decided to quit my day job and become a full time artist.
I have never regretted my step into entrepreneurship since then and I try to spend the same happiness, healing moments and joy with my artworks to my collectors as I find it in creating my art.
Your artworks have reached audiences in the USA, Canada, Japan, and beyond. What do you aim to evoke through your paintings? Is there a specific message or emotion you wish your audience to experience, and how do you achieve this through your unique style?
My intention behind my art is to create beauty, joy in rebuilding my inner pictures of nature, often flowers, that I am totally attached to onto the canvas. I want the viewer to have access to the wonderful feelings of resilience, happiness, freedom, healing that I feel when painting. I want to light up everyone's heart and mind. My process is complex and elaborate with so many time-consuming layers and effort but it always seems to be light-handed with a certain kind of happiness and it's never boring.
Art pricing can be a complex and sometimes contentious topic. Can you walk us through your process for determining the pricing of your pieces? What factors do you consider, and how do you balance the artistic and market value of your work?
As I am mostly working on large canvases and I create layer after layer, so many that it sometimes takes weeks or months with drying times to get there where I want them to be. I am not a friend of fast created art because after me it's consumed fast, too. I want to create art that stands the test of time. In addition my worldwide recognition constantly rises. so my prices do so, too.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and plans for the future? Are there any new artistic directions, projects, or collaborations you're excited about that you can share with us?
I am focussing again on nature, especially flowers. I try to catch the whole beauty of them even when abstracted and I will try to integrate fabrics into my work so that it will be again richer. It's the process of becoming the best version of myself - as a painter and a human being. Also I am looking for new possibilities to exhibit, not in usual places like galleries or pop up stores. We'll see,
Dreams often drive an artist's passion and creativity. What are some of your dreams, both as an artist and on a personal level? How do these dreams influence your work and your approach to art?
A big dream of mine is to reach more people with my art - in galleries, in a museum, in their homes. I want that my art speaks to them and that it can heal them and give them joy as much as it heals and enjoys me when creating it. Another dream is to create my art in a universal "language" so that everyone around the world understands it.
My greatest dream on a personal level is to have peace, love, food, health and justice all around the world. I know this is some kind of naive but if you don't dream anymore you can't change anything. I try to participate in making the world a better place through my art.
You mentioned that your approach and work are constantly evolving. How do you ensure that you continue to innovate and avoid repetition in your art? Are there specific techniques or practices you use to keep your creativity fresh and dynamic?
Of course! I always follow different artists around the world, techniques and try different art supplies, so that there is always some new influence or inspiration to my art. Nevertheless I keep my own signature in my work like my mark making and other influences are only integrated in a whole context, a better and fresh composition. It's always good for our development to be curious in new ways of creating, even if some ways are not our favorites. It's existencial for me to get out of my comfort zone to create better and fresh art.
Your biography states that you are a "full-blooded artist" always seeking new opportunities to express your experiences. How do your everyday experiences shape your art, and can you share a specific instance where a daily occurrence significantly influenced a piece of your work?
I can say that the more my surroundings, the world, politics get grey, depressive, the more vibrant, bright and bold becomes my work! In a world of upcoming fascism, racism and war I create a chaotic very dark background but then my love for the world, the people, for nature comes through in vibrant colors and expressive and decisive brushstrokes as in my work "My love is still burning". I don't want to give up. Never.
Abstract art can be interpreted in myriad ways by different audiences. How do you engage with your viewers to ensure that your art is accessible and meaningful to them? Do you find that direct contact with your buyers enhances their understanding and appreciation of your work?
Absolutely! First there's always a difference between seeing an artwork digitally in an online shop or on social media and to see it live, to see and FEEL the different layers and brushstrokes, the texture and mixtures of colors. I always try to tell the story behind a work or a series that touches the audience deeply and speaks to their souls but naturally it is even more effective to LISTEN to people, to their needs, their wishes, their dreams to connect with them. It's a very more personal connection than reading an explanation of a work.
I had a potential buyer in my studio and we were talking about her and my background, about this and that and then she said now she can understand how I can create such wonderful artworks that make her smile. That is the biggest success and motivation for going on.
The exclusivity of owning an original work of art is a significant aspect of your offering. How do you think this exclusivity impacts the relationship between you and your collectors? Can you share any memorable experiences or feedback from collectors that have deeply resonated with you?
I had a collector who buyed 3 artworks from me directly - one for his wife, one for his daughter and one for himself. After he received the works and hanged them at his home he wrote me that I have made a dream come true. His wife is so happy with her artwork, his daughter in puberty (!) is finally getting up with good humor in the morning after watching her artwork and he is enjoying his artwork every single day at his working place.
Another collector has saved her money over quite a long time to buy my work and when she received it she was so proud to own it and said that it was even more amazing than she imagined it and that it gave her home a whole new atmosphere and quality!
This is so wonderful and sometimes overwhelming for me to know that I can really change a world for my collectors!
Your statement about the potential increase in value of your art touches on the interplay between art and investment. How do you navigate this aspect of your career? Do you consider the investment potential of your pieces when creating them, or is your focus purely on the artistic process and expression?
When I am painting I am deeply in my process, in my world of painting, not in any economic considerations. I focus on expression. Nevertheless I spend more time before and during my creating process in studying techniques, artistic memoirs, processes to enrich my own process and the outcome. I want to create art that is worth the investment buying it.
I often see young artists putting prices to their works that are too high and don't resonate with the works. When I began selling art I have often sold my works for 100-300 EUR. So start small, enhance and enrich your work, be consistent and always try to get "better" - THEN and only then your audience will recognize you're evolving and will be ready and willing to pay more for your art.
I am obligated to my collector to give my best and put in my painting all that I can give to justify my prices and to make them proud that they own an exceptional and original piece of art.
