ART! The art of Larisa Martino

Meet artist Larisa Martino at an Art Opening on Thursday, December 2nd from 6 to 9pm at Trattoria Zooma on Atwells Avenue on Federal Hill in Providence.

An ethnically Russian artist who was born, raised, and educated in Central Asia (a former part of the USSR), Larisa dates her passion for art from an early school age when she attended drawing classes in afterschool programs.

She developed a fusion of art styles growing up in a multicultural environment.  Larisa graduated from the University of Textile Industry (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) in 1993 with BS in Design. There, she was part of the costume design committee for participants in the Independence Day Celebration of Uzbekistan in 1992.  

She also was a featured designer and participant in numerous fashion shows held at the University’s Fashion Theater.

Larisa came to the U.S.A. in 1995. She worked in the business world for several years while raising young family before deciding to go back to her true passion: Art.  

Larisa is primarily an easel painter. Her art style is focusing on fantasy themes, illustrative ideas, and fashion sketches in acrylics, ink pen, oil pastels, color pencils, fabrics, faux finishes, and often a combination of the above for different effects. Many of her pieces are representations of women – the feminine forms of emotions, moods, and characters. Recently, Larisa started creating artworks in abstract style for corporate, hospitality, and healthcare spaces.

Her art has appeared in numerous galleries including international gallery in Miami, FL, Natick, MA, Rhode Island galleries and graces many walls of private residences and commercial spaces.

Artist’s Statement:

My art is my key to the secret garden, my way down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass.

I create art to define my feelings and emotions, to express my inner views. My muse is an imagination that relies on collected images and real observation.

I begin my creation by submerging myself in trance, clearing daily worries from my mind. With swooshing circular motions that render the curves of a floral petal, an ocean wave or a woman’s body, I follow with pen and brush the footprints of my daydreaming.

My artistic influences include Gustav Klimt, vintage and modern fashion sketches, and abstracts by modern artists.

I rejoice in blending diverse textures, materials and techniques, which result in mixed-media creations. In my work you will discover playful lines of ink, deliciously textural acrylics, peek-a-boo glitter, and unexpected pearlescent.

Red, my favorite color, represents passion, energy, and power. Combining crimson with other hues, I paint with a jewel-toned palette: sparkling rubies, mysterious amethysts, caressing amber along with stunning emeralds and seductive sapphires.

Some of my works whisper mystery and others shout with vibrancy and fun.

Currently I have been painting in figurative and abstract collections that include “Girls Night Out”, “Romance“, “Fluid“, and others. Also I enjoy creating custom corporate collage art pieces that are tailored to a company.

I evolve along with my art, welcoming new challenges as I explore new ideas and techniques such painting on fabrics (tapestries), metal and glass.