Marina Shcherbina – Artist “by Accident”

New resident Marina Shcherbina is a mom and photomodel who started her transformational journey in the world of abstract and minimalism art.

15 years ago Marina Shcherbina fell in love with the Principality of Monaco during her first visit. She was born in the south of Russia, in the city of Krasnodar, a big green city with its own history and unique atmosphere. Yet, it did not compare to Monaco, as it was love at first sight for Marina, who recently fulfilled her dream and became a new Monaco resident.

How would you compare your hometown to Monaco?

“I will answer this way: Krasnodar is not Monaco, and Monaco is not Krasnodar. These locations are absolutely different in terms of meaning and spirit. But still, there is something in common. There are a lot of welcoming, generous, and open-minded people. At least, these are the only ones I have met.”

Was it difficult to adjust your lifestyle to Monaco?

“From my point of view, the person who is moving to a new country or city will have some sort of difficulty for some time. I am not an exception. But thanks to the responsiveness and empathy of the locals, I settled in here quite easily. Moreover, I managed to make some cool new friends!”

Can you describe your journey to becoming a painter? What initially inspired you to pursue this path?

“What inspired me… This is a funny story, by the way! My creative journey began about five years ago, completely by accident. There was a blank wall in my house that haunted me. I wanted to fill this void and add something to the interior. That’s how my first abstract painting appeared.”

How would you define your artistic style, and what influences have shaped it over the years?

“The style of my work is abstraction and minimalism. There are probably no special factors that influenced my development as an artist. 

I just trust my intuition. I just take paints and pour them onto the canvas. And I study art in all its planes and different techniques.”

Marina does commissioned projects as well, as she likes to create paintings with an already established purpose.

“I usually choose a theme based on the space and interior where the future painting will be located. In addition, I use the colours that prevail in this location.”

Is there any specific place that inspires you in Monaco, and what subjects do you find yourself most drawn to in your paintings?

“In Monaco, art is everywhere. Literally everything here inspires: the sea, nature…”

Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial idea to the finished piece?

“The creative process is magic. The only meaningful, practical actions here are the choice of paints and colors. And then it’s a matter of getting to it with my hands and imagination.”

What materials and techniques do you prefer to use, and how have they evolved throughout your career?

“Well, 90% of the time, I work with acrylic. Sometimes I use different texture pastes. And I focus on the assortment of specialised art stores.”

How do you handle creative blocks or periods when you feel uninspired?

“I try to not even touch my brushes when I’m not in the mood. 

At such moments, I switch my attention — I meet with friends, get distracted by other activities and leisure time… And literally after a couple of days, my hands are already reaching for my brushes and canvases.”

What is the most difficult thing for an artist?

“For me personally, as an artist, there are no difficulties. There are moments that just need to be given a little more attention. 

For me, it’s about maintaining the brevity of the abstraction; I try to avoid the feeling of clutter on the canvas.”

Which artists, past or present, do you admire the most and why?

“I admire the classics, of course. And among contemporary artists, my favourite is Pierre Soulages. I appreciate his unusual vision.”

How do you balance commercial viability with artistic integrity in your work?

“Frankly speaking, it’s a complex question. This seems to happen intuitively. After all, I observe what creative works are now filling the world, I ask what the impressions of amateurs and knowledgeable people are… But first of all, I always listen to my heart.”

What do you hope viewers take away from your paintings?

“First of all, my work is an aesthetic pleasure for people. And already at the second point of contact, everyone can take something of their own for themselves. 

Some will find balance and tranquillity, while for others the paintings will prompt reflection…”

Can you share a specific painting that holds a special meaning to you and explain why?

“I can probably highlight the work of Monet and his water lilies in various interpretations. I was at the Monet exhibition last year, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. 

The artist has an amazing way of conveying colours: I seemed to smell the air from these illustrations.”

What advice would you give to aspiring painters who are just starting out on their artistic journeys?

“I have some advice, for sure. The first is to always be brave. The second is not to stand still; always learn and develop a sense of aesthetics. 

And last but not least, always create with all your love and heart, because the paintings magically capture and convey the artist’s energy.”