AnaHell, Anastasia Obaregbe, Erika Clugston, Opashona Ghosh & Tabitha Swanson
We interviewed 5 Berlin-based artists on their advice for young creatives. Below are their thoughts on process, good art, getting known and success.
Thereâs Value Purely in the Process
âThe act of creation is what makes me happy, creating something that didnât yet existâŠ.Donât plan too much. My favorite work usually comes from accidentsâ – Anahell
âI need to become comfortable with the tools Iâm using soitâs effortless. Thatâs how I can get in the creative zone. But thereâs also beauty in what happens when you make mistakesâ – Tabitha
Figure Out the Artistic Routine That Works For You
âI like to be regimented. I wake up early, draw until lunch. Then I do admin work and afterwards draw again until 6 or 7. Then I go see friends.â – Opashona
âI usually paint at night. I get in the mood by watching an artistic film, flipping through my art books, having a glass of wine.â – Erika
âI write every day and push myself to be honest in expressing my thoughts. It helps me grow and eventually create.â – Tabitha
Take Alone Time
âMe time is everything. Being a little lonely is necessary so I can preserve myself. Then I can go back into society and contribute as a better friend, partner and artist.â – Opashona
âI need to slow myself down to be creative. Letting myself get bored and daydream often leads to ideas.â – Erika
âI donât look at a lot of other art because I donât want to subconsciously copy what others doâ – AnaHell
Good Art is Emotional and Makes You Question
âYou usually need to look twice and ask yourself questions. Like what the fuck is going on? But if you need the artistâs explanation to get it then thatâs not good.â – AnaHell
âGood art doesnât necessarily spell everything out. It makes you question, but emotionally not because you donât understand its references or theories.â – Opashona
âGood art touches me and speaks to me emotionally. It catches my attention and creates tension. I donât like art thatâs overly intellectual and headyâ – Anastasia
âWhen I see a piece of art I like, I feel it through my whole body – surprise, delight, empathy.â – Tabitha
Self Start, Put Together Your Own Exhibitions!
âYou need a team, donât do it alone. And you need financing. If you have a website to show your work and a very clear plan for the exhibition, you can go to brands and try to get sponsorship.â – Anastasia
âI just told friends and people I knew that I was having a show and once I did, doors opened and it actually happened. The exhibition was validating and rewarding for all the effort I put into it. If you do it, do it for yourself and just go for it. It can be as simple as putting it up in your apartment and inviting your friends.â – Erika
The Role of Instagram in the Art World
âI made an instagram for my art and that made âbeing an artistâ more real.” – Erika
âThereâs a version of trendy instagram art right now – pink backgrounds, nipples, âfuck the patriarchy,â we get it. Letâs go a step deeper than that now.â – Opashona
âThe âsnackabilityâ of instagram art means each piece might be less impactful. There are more distractions and itâs less immersive. But it also makes art more accessible across race and class and means you can have a huge reach.â – Tabitha
Selling Art Means More Than Money
âYou donât need to sell to be an artist but it helps validate yourselfâ – Anastasia
âPeople find me through friends or instagram and usually want to buy landscapes, flowers and trees. Itâs validating to make money off of my paintings, even if those arenât my favorite ones.â – Erika
âMaking some money off your art or having a paying job can keep you from fully selling out, since you can support yourself and make what you want to make, not just what sellsâ – AnaHell
âSuccessâ Might Not Be THAT Great
âOnce I started finding success, there was pressure to perform the same things I was doing, but I donât want to be definedâ – Opashona
âIf Iâm not successful, Iâll still continue to paint so it doesnât really matterâ
– Erika
Extra Wisdom
âI donât care if people like what Iâm doing. I try not to question it.â – AnaHell
âExploratory phases are like being a kid in a playgroundâ – Anastasia
âSometimes I get this feeling like I might throw up if I donât make this. But I also think itâs possible to create things I like without this feeling.â – Erika
âWhen you dislike a piece of art, question whether itâs just because itâs different from the trends youâre used to.â – Opashona
About the Artists
Opashona Ghosh
Opashona is a graphic illustrator from India, addressing queerness and femininity through her work. She also seeks out and tries to support queer poc parties and DJs. In Berlin she recommends checking out Room 4 Resistance and in London, Pussy Palace.
website | Instagram
AnaHell
AnaHell is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer from Spain with a background in illustration. In 2016, she saw viral success when she posted her photography project âSecret Friendsâ on Bored Panda. She continues to create absurd and grotesque photographs.
website | Instagram
Tabitha Swanson
Tabitha is a visual designer and researcher from Canada. She likes learning and playing with new digital mediums. Along with her artistic work, she also does graphic design and layout work for clients.
website | Instagram
Anastasia Obareghbe
Anastasia, from Berlin, uses spray paint to make large scale paintings. A mother of two young kids, sheâs hoping to start her own art workshop for children soon.
website | Instagram
Erika Clugston
Erika is a painter from America. Her paintings range from landscapes to subjects inspired by myths, history and current events. She also writes for LOLA magazine and organizes events for artists in Berlin to come together and discuss their experiences.
website | Instagram
