Mirta Arbini, like many artists, discovered her interest in art as a child. She says she was one of those kids always drawing and painting imaginary friends and magical places. “Growing up, I kept painting, but I never had a formal education in art. I’m a historian.” Mirta discovered printmaking when taking a graphic course, and recalls that it was a turning point. “I really wanted to change careers. I got completely hooked on printmaking and the theoretical side of graphic design.”
Living on Lake Como in Italy, Mirta is greatly inspired by her surroundings, particularly the woods, the changing seasons, and changes in light. “I walk a lot and pick up things that I put in my pockets — sticks, little stones, seeds, or leaves. I’m also inspired by taking walks with my son,” she adds. “Seeing everything through the eyes of a five year old is refreshing.”
Mirta hosts a sketching club over on Instagram and on her Patreon page. “The idea came to me when I wanted a way to create a little community over on IG. A safe place where we could sketch and chat together,” she says. “I love our sketch times; they’re very inspiring and not judgmental.”
Mirta explains that her creative process varies according to what kind of work she is doing. “I create prints for my online shop, handmade markets, and art festivals. These all start with lots of sketches,” she says. Mirta also keeps various sketchbooks, one for each theme she is working on. “After sketching, I then draw on my lino block directly, and then I do the carving. After that, I test print the block, and, when happy with it, I print a limited edition. Each print is always unique, because the way the ink works over the paper is never precisely the same.
You can find my Mirta’s art on her website at modernbotanics.com or on Instagram:
@modernbotanics, and Patreon at patreon.com/modern_botanics
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