Background and Inspiration

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you became an artist?
My name is Monika, and I’m an abstract painter, collage maker, drawer, and creator! I have loved art since I was a kid. This passion led me to attend art school, and later, I studied at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, where I completed an MA in Fine Arts, specializing in mural-mosaic. For the last seven years, I’ve been living and creating in London. I run art classes at a Cypriot community centre and participate in group exhibitions and solo shows with my artworks in both Lithuania and London.

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in your artistic journey?
While I was studying at university, I spent a few summers in Iceland. This experience inspired me deeply and helped me discover abstract art and my love for Scandinavian minimalism. I would call this a core inspiration that still guides me today.

How has your cultural background influenced your art?
I was born and raised in Lithuania, surrounded by lakes and forests. My favourite season is autumn, and my art is hugely influenced by earth tones and nature.

Artistic Process

Can you describe your creative process from concept to completion?
My artistic process has many different layers. I’m inspired by life events, travel experiences, and my unique perspective that captures the beauty around me. I constantly self-reflect, and by creating art, I escape from this world to slow down and find time for myself and my creativity.

What mediums and techniques do you prefer to use in your work, and why?
I use collage techniques to create sketches, which I then transfer onto canvas using acrylic techniques. This is how my paintings are born. I discovered this unexpected process back in university, and I have used this method ever since. I love the preparation and planning involved in making sketches, but I allow myself to improvise once I’m working on the canvas. This technique perfectly represents my ideas in art and helps me navigate sensitivity in this world.

How do you decide on the themes and subjects of your pieces?
Journaling is my way to reflect on the world and the days that are passing by. This helps me identify the themes and subjects that matter to me at that time. I then create new sketches that highlight the subjects I’m interested in.

Projects and Collaborations

Can you share some details about your most recent project?
My most recent project was creating a website and art shop for my brand. This process took almost a year, and I made many changes until the final decisions were made. I’m proud of the result.

What has been your favorite project or collaboration to date?
My favourite project was the solo exhibition I held in 2022, titled “Searching for Harmony.” It was a great experience where I could express myself and showcase work created at different times. Having an art gallery for 4 weeks was a dream come true.

How do you approach collaborations with other artists or institutions?
I connect with new people by sending emails or meeting them at exhibition openings. Social media also works very well for finding people and communities with similar interests around me.

Personal Insights

What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how have you overcome them?
Last time in Shoreditch, I exhibited my works in one of your pop-up locations. The container had an unexpected shape, making it challenging to achieve the best composition and display the work effectively.

How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during difficult times?
By taking a break and spending time reconnecting with my body and feelings through reflection. I also enjoy spending time with people I love hanging out with. This ritual always helps me get back to myself, and creativity creeps back in again.

What do you hope people take away from your art?
I hope they take my painting home and find harmony and peace, as this is what I always strive to add to every creation. I also hope to inspire those who want to reconnect with their creativity and remind them to create. I believe this is the most important voice within some of us, and it needs to come out.

Impact and Future

How do you think art can influence society and bring about change?
I think art represents people’s voices and their passion to create a better world by simply listening to themselves. It influences us to experience time differently by bringing something handmade that comes from a slow life rather than a fast one. This allows us to pause and truly experience.

Are there any social or environmental causes you are passionate about and incorporate into your work?
As forests disappear in Lithuania, many species that live in them are also affected. Through my art, I’m alerting people to pay attention to nature once more. Even if I often feel hopeless, I can donate to funds that are saving the woods, and I can be more conscious of my behavior and the resources I use every day.

Final Thoughts

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Simply find time to create and make tons of bad art; otherwise, you will never make a good one. I would advise practicing new techniques in order to develop your own unique style and voice. An important aspect is to find at least one person who believes in you and can support you while you pursue your artistic career.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about your work or your journey?
I would like to add that creativity is the hardest path I have ever walked. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has been with me on this journey and has helped me in any way in building @monikaabstract. Thank you! I’m sending you my love!

Conclusion

Monika Kučiauskaitė’s journey as an artist is a testament to the power of nature, cultural heritage, and personal reflection in shaping one’s creative voice. Her dedication to her craft and her passion for sustainability and ethical practices shine through in every piece she creates. Through her work, Monika invites us all to pause, reflect, and find beauty in the world around us. As she continues to inspire others with her art and her story, we look forward to seeing the new heights she will reach in her artistic journey.