Mathqaf is pleased to introduce you to Mykérinos, a Chicago-based artist. She grew up in France and moved to the U.S. at the age of 13. Mykérinos began painting when she was little and quickly became passionate about art. She is a self-taught artist who explored realism, impressionism and watercolours when in France, but it is in Chicago where she really developed her unique style.

Mathqaf: Nice to meet you! Who are you?

Mykérinos: I am an art passionate person that loves to create and design new things. 

Mathqaf: How do you work?

Mykérinos: My process when painting is very particular. I usually get all my paint on my desk so I can have a clear view of all the colors, then I choose a few brushes I know I will use. When I paint on a canvas, I usually don’t draw on it first, I prefer to let my mind choose spontaneously rather than thinking a lot. But when I paint on paper, I draw first and then I color with paint. My process is very intuitive, if I want to add a trait for example, I’ll add it, if I have an idea that pops up in my mind, I realize it. I kind of let my hand and my arm decide for me.  

Mathqaf: What do you listen to when you work?

Mykérinos: I listen to French songs that are on my playlist that I recently liked or that I find inspiring. 

Mathqaf: What work do you most enjoy doing? 

Mykérinos: I enjoy painting with gouache the most. It is my favorite kind of paint. Another work I enjoy doing is drawing on my sketchbook. I have a very specific black pen that I love and that I always use when drawing in my sketchbook. 

Mathqaf: How has your practice changed over time?  

Mykérinos: My practice constantly changes. I one day I want to paint something more realistic, I will do it and practice in order to improve my technique. If another day I am inspired by a certain technique in drawing, I will use this technique. I don’t like to stick to something very specific, I explore many different things at the same time. 

Mathqaf: Can you describe a real-life situation that inspired you?  

Mykérinos: Somethings that inspire me and will always be are the human beings and the daily life. I find my inspiration all around me, but I like to paint human faces with particular expressions or human bodies. But to be honest with you, sometimes I don’t even know where my inspiration is from. I can be in my bed not doing anything and hop! An idea pops up in my mind. 

Mathqaf: What is your dream project?

Mykérinos: My dream project is to have an exhibition of my paintings. 

Mathqaf: Lastly: why do you do what you do? 

Mykérinos: I do what I do because like I said earlier, art is my passion and I could not live without creating new things. 

Check out Mykérinos’ Instagram profile here.