This week we had such a wonderful time getting to know German artist Ady Almanza. Her work demonstrates her exceptional talent for turning the pages of her journal into meaningful and beautiful pieces of art. Check out the full interview below where we find out where she sources her inspiration and how she gives back through her love of teaching.
Name: Ady Almanza
Age: 50
Location: Germany
Favourite places to travel: Egypt, Italy, Houston, Mexico
Passions: Painting on books
Education/Training: Dental assistance
Occupation: Freelance artist and online art teacher
Favourite quote: Do what you love, love what you do.
Social media: facebook.com/ady.almanza
Website: adrianaalmanza.blogspot.de
Please tell us a bit about the art you like to create and the materials you use
I love to paint on old books (vintage books), the kind of books nobody else wants to keep – I bring them back to life using my acrylics and color pencils. Art journaling is my passion.
As an artist, where do you find inspiration for your illustrations?
I feel very inspired after walking in the woods with my dogs every day.
How did your journey as an artist begin?
I have been painting since I was a child, together with my father who is an artist too. I used to spend hours watching while he was making art. He taught me how to draw and how to paint with oils, and later on I learned by myself by reading art books and watching instructional videos on YouTube.
Who are some of your favourite artists and what pieces of theirs do you admire most?
Oh that is a hard question to answer!! I love the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat! Fallen Angel is a masterpiece! I love Kandinsky’s Sommerlandschaft, Klimt, Van Gogh, Dalí, Picasso’s blue period, just to mention a few….
What advice do you have for an amateur artist trying to make a name for themselves?
Make art every day! And have an art journal by your side always! Draw, draw, draw!
What is your favourite piece that you have created and why?
This is my fave piece, a portrait of my son I did some months ago, on an XXL vintage book. He liked it too so that means a lot to me! And on the left side I wrote the lyrics from a song I used to sing to him when he was little, a song from John Lennon: “Beautiful Boy.” So yes I love this because I put my heart and soul into it.
Apart from illustration, do you have any other talents or hobbies you would like to share with us?
I love to teach how to paint, I love to share what I have learned all these years, and I think people love to learn from me too, so it is very satisfying. I also love to help other people whenever I can. Hobbies? My cats, my dogs and my chickens! We live in a farmhouse so there is always something going on here! LOL
Finally, you are stranded on a desert island – what three things do you bring with you?
Oh that is hard to answer too!! 1. My art journal 2. A pencil 3. Black acrylic.
