Interview
Mariia Raskin
Mariia Raskin (b. 1979, Kazakhstan) is an impressionist painter based in Turkey and Northern Cyprus. She holds a degree with honors in Applied Arts from Kosygin State University in Moscow and began her career in fashion illustration, graphic design, and book illustration. After completing formal icon painting training in 2014, she shifted her focus to contemporary painting in 2019, inspired by the Mediterranean landscape. Mariia works primarily with acrylic on canvas, using a palette knife as her main tool. She has held solo exhibitions in Cyprus, including one opened by the Prime Minister, and her works are part of the permanent collection of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art. She is a member of the International Association of Art and the Eurasian Art Union. Mariia is a two-time recipient of the Certificate of Artistic Achievement from the prestigious Luxembourg Art Prize and winner of the Boynes Monthly Art Award in the Landscape category. In total, she has received over 20 international art awards. Her paintings have been shown at major exhibitions and fairs in the U.S., Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Cyprus, and featured on respected art platforms such as Al-tiba9, Artsy Shark, and Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have a rich and diverse creative background. My artistic journey began in childhood, when I attended an art school for kids. Later, I graduated with honors from university as a fashion designer. For some time, I worked in the fashion industry, doing clothing catalog illustrations and creating seasonal window displays for a women’s garment retail chain. Over the years, I’ve tried many creative paths: I worked as a makeup artist and body art painter, designed prints for sports bags, illustrated children’s books for a major publishing house, and even co-created a children’s book with my husband. Eventually, I studied icon painting and created religious icons that now live in churches and monasteries. After moving to a country with a warm Mediterranean climate, I finally embraced being a full-time artist - and that’s where I truly found my passion.”
What inspires you?
“I'm deeply inspired by the beauty of the world around me: the dance of colors between the sky and the sea, sunlight shimmering on the surface, and the ever-shifting palette of dawns and dusks. I’m drawn to untouched landscapes: the meeting of mountains and ocean, wide open beaches, peaceful forest lakes, and lush blooming plants. My goal is to reflect that awe on canvas and add my own emotional language to it.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“On the surface, the themes of my work might seem quite simple: landscapes and seascapes. But there’s a deeper meaning behind each painting, closely tied to my personal philosophy. At the heart of my art is the idea of an inseparable bond between humans and the natural world. I try to highlight how even the smallest individual has the power to influence nature in a big way: we can either live in harmony with it and draw endless inspiration,; the alternative is something I invite the viewer to reflect on. Which path would you choose? Silhouettes of people occasionally appear in my work - usually in a quiet, contemplative mood, observing the beauty around them and thinking about the nature of existence. Alongside my more philosophical pieces, I also have a bright, cheerful series of sailboat paintings. These are all about carefree vacations, peace, joy, and the simple pleasure of being by the sea.”
How would you describe your work?
“I paint in an impressionistic style using acrylics on canvas. Most of the time, I work with a palette knife, brushes are only for the tiniest details! My paintings range from semi-abstract with a symbolic twist to more realistic ones. I love bold, juicy strokes with lots of texture and movement. I also enjoy playing around with mixed media: layering vintage newspaper scraps, handwritten notes, or textured papers in the background, or even adding cotton threads to the canvas and painting over them. These little experiments keep things fresh and exciting for me!”
Which artists influence you most?
“I admire a wide range of artists working in different styles. I love exploring contemporary art exhibitions, it helps me stay in tune with what's happening in the art world. But the artists who have influenced me the most are the great Claude Monet, a true master of Impressionism, and Nicholas Roerich, whose work blends symbolism, realism, and Art Nouveau. His majestic, meditative mountain landscapes have had a profound impact on me. Among contemporary artists, I really enjoy the work of Gill Bustamante, whose magical, light-filled landscapes, often featuring deer and birds, radiate joy and wonder. I also appreciate Ron Cooper, whose philosophical landscapes depict humans as explorers and guardians of the universe’s mysteries.”
“On the surface, the themes of my work might seem quite simple: landscapes and seascapes. But there’s a deeper meaning behind each painting, closely tied to my personal philosophy. At the heart of my art is the idea of an inseparable bond between humans and the natural world.”
What is your creative process like?
“Usually, my creative process starts with spending a lot of time outdoors. I walk, take photos of beautiful places, and soak in the atmosphere. Once I'm back in the studio, I use those photos as references for my paintings. I try to recall the emotions I felt in that specific moment, what moved me about the place, and then sketch out ideas that capture its unique mood. I play around with composition and color, sometimes combining elements from two or three different photos to create the most balanced and powerful scene. Other times, I just paint from memory, relying on the impression and feelings the place left me with. From there, I transfer the sketch to canvas and bring it to life using my signature palette knife technique.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The role of an artist in society really depends on the artist’s personality and how they see their own mission. Some artists create provocative or controversial work, others use their art to highlight social issues or expose uncomfortable truths. Some explore the darker corners of the subconscious. We’re all very different in our approaches. But if you asked me what I personally believe an artist’s role should be in the context of society, I’d say: a creative and constructive one! I see art as a way to support mental well-being, inner peace, and a positive mindset. That’s the path I’ve chosen for myself. I want my paintings to lift people’s spirits, ease anxiety, and bring a smile to their faces. Of course, in the broader landscape of contemporary art, every voice and every approach has value - that’s what makes art so diverse and personal. It’s up to the viewer to decide which message or philosophy resonates most with them.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Since starting my career as a full-time artist, I’ve had the chance to participate in two solo exhibitions, one of which was opened by the Prime Minister, which was a huge honor for me. It was a fantastic experience to share my work with the audience, connect with fellow artists and art lovers, get valuable feedback, and even make a number of sales, which made me really happy. Later on, I was selected through competitive applications to take part in major international art fairs and exhibitions. These events greatly enriched my experience and helped me build amazing new connections. Here’s a list of the most important exhibitions I’ve participated in so far: 2024 Europe Art Fair Amsterdam, 5th international exhibition, Gashouder Westergas Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. September 6 - September 8, 2024 2024 Swiss Art Expo, SBB Event Hall Zurich Main Station, Zurich, Switzerland. August 21 - August 25, 2024 2022 Spectrum Miami Art Fair, Mana Wynwood Convention Center, Miami, FL, USA; catalogue. November 30 - December 4, 2022 2023 Inspiration of Cyprus, SOLO Exhibition, Cyprus Modern Art Museum, Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall, Lefkosa, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel opened the exhibition. October 27 - November 20, 2023 2021 SOLO Exhibition within the Golf Federation Cup, Korineum Golf and Beach Resort Hotel, Esentepe, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. October 30, 2021.”
Website: www.mariaraskin.com
Instagram: @raskinart
