INTERVIEW WITH MILA SKETCH
Preview Changes (opens in a new window)Written BY GRACE SNIVELY
Last week’s show, The Rover’s Map, was a solo exhibition by local artist Mila Sketch. Born in Russia, Mila developed a love for drawing at a very young age, receiving her first art award at nine years old. After completing art school she went on to experiment with various media projects, ultimately leading to the development of multiple art techniques. Since then her career has greatly progressed, as she is now exhibited worldwide, including in our very own SprATX gallery. The Rover’s Map gave local Austinites a chance to see Mila’s remarkable talent up close in person. With nine original pieces on display, each representing knowledge, science, and spiritual growth, she zeroed in on questions such as: What do we really know? Do we even hold control or is it an illusion we’ve created? We asked her some questions of our own.
SprATX :: Describe yourself in 3 words.
Mila Sketch : I am an active, happy and in love person.
SprATX :: Describe your art in 3 words.
Mila Sketch : My art is detailed, complex and simple.
SprATX :: Describe Art Basel in 3 words.
Mila Sketch :: Art Basel is amazing! I would like to go there soon!
SprATX :: Tell me about the struggles you have endured as an artist.
Mila Sketch :: The biggest struggle is time. It is never enough time in a day. I work 8 to 10 hours non stop every day.
SprATX :: Do you have a spirit animal? If so, what is it?
Mila Sketch :: I don’t have a spirit animal, but I do love animals.
SprATX :: How has your style evolved over time?
Mila Sketch :: I used work in black and white style only on a small format. Now I use color more and more and each time I go with a bigger format.
SprATX :: Favorite medium?
Mila Sketch :: My favorite medium is acrylic and ink on a canvas.
SprATX :: Do you have a favorite piece you have created?
Mila Sketch :: My favorite piece that I’ve created is ‘The Problem Solver’. It speaks about how every problem always has a solution.
SprATX :: Describe your dream project.
Mila Sketch :: My dream project is to exhibit a number of artworks dedicated to wine. It will be called The Soil of The Soul. The idea is to bring wine and art community together. It is coming this fall.
SprATX :: Talk a little bit about your experience moving to Austin and what the art scene is like here compared to your homeland.
Mila Sketch :: Austin art community is huge and united. Austin art community is very open and welcoming. I loved it right away! Where I am from the art community is snobbish, stock up and therefore less productive.
SprATX :: What can’t you live without?
Mila Sketch : I can’t live without creating, swimming and being in love.
SprATX :: What is the best piece of advice you can give to an upcoming artist?
Mila Sketch :: My advice for a new artists is to work hard, stay inspired.
SprATX :: If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?
Mila Sketch :: If I had to say to the world something in one sentence that would be: compassion, open mindedness and hard work.
SprATX :: Your pieces are incredibly detailed. How long does it take to create a single piece and what is the process like?
Mila Sketch :: Average time I spend on creation of a single art piece is about 120 to 200 hours. Pointilism takes a lot of concentration, focus and self discipline.
SprATX :: Hardest part about being an artist?
Mila Sketch :: The hardest part of being an artist to me is finding the right gallery, people to represent my art in the right way.
The Rover’s Map will be on display at the SprATX gallery for the next 2 weeks. Come stop by and see the amazing work of Mila!
