AS IS | Dominika Schmidt

Artist

From Tábor, South Bohemia region, Czechia

Based in Prague and temporarily in Český Krumlov, South Bohemian region

Dominika creates abstract, colorful paintings whose gentle lines guide the audience naturally around the canvas. Their colorful shapes feel almost explosive, as if they reflected Dominika’s intuitive approach during which she lets her thoughts and feelings take over and lead her hand, her passion for creating art, and desire to escape conventions and established orders. She also draws inspiration from spirituality in her works

A: Please, tell us a bit more about yourself. What brought you to art?

D: As a child, I liked to spend every free moment with my grandpa, watching him work with wood and create models of airplanes. I was fascinated by his precision, patience, preparedness, and squeaky clean workshop. Today I’d say I was mostly fascinated by his love for the craft. I would constantly get in his way, climb on his lap, watch over his shoulder, I wanted to create too. That’s where it all began.

A: What is your greatest source of inspiration?

D: Right now I am, yet again, into Mike Oldfield, color psychology, studying the colour field movement, lime green, and the New Earth.

A: Do you have any specific rituals while working (creating)?

D: I’d say my current life style is a ritual. Everything I do helps me in my work. Creating art is my lifestyle.

A: What would you recommend to someone who's new to art (whether as an artist or just an admirer); what to begin with?

D: Create. And write down everything, let yourself study your thoughts, let them inspire you and sometimes let them go too if needed.

A: What are your three favourite words or phrases to use to describe art?

D: I tend to immediately tune in with the artwork or its author, so when something fascinates me, I often spontaneously exclaim “Now that’s powerful!”

A: Could you please share your favorite Czech artists?

D: Currently I am captivated by Jan Heres’ paintings, mostly for his color combination, portrayal of interpersonal relations, and his form of figurative painting. By František Jungvirt’s glass work and Dominik Gajarský’s (aka Slowmotiondancer) music which I discovered recently.

A: What piece of art do you think embodies the Czech national spirit and culture? Why do you think so?

D: I immediately thought of Lada and his illustrations, he was my great-grandfather’s friend. Similarly, Zdeněk Miler or Spejbl and Hurvínek puppets. And glass - Moser.

A: What is the best way to start a conversation about art?

D: I don’t usually talk about art, the conversation tends to move that way naturally. Then we often end up talking about their feelings and thoughts.

A: Where can we meet you most often? Where do you like to work, think, plan next projects?

D: I spend most of my time at Moldau’s left riverbank in Prague, in my studio, in Gabriel Loci, a former monastery, and lately in my hometown. I work on the go, in the tram, while working out, in the car. I’m constantly taking notes and I like to consult things. Most often with my art coworker Elisabeth Bauer - together, we work as the creative duo, project #GodBlessArt. We do live paintings for people, accompanied by music. We also share a studio.

A: Is there a motto or an idea that has guided you through life and/or creating?

D: Enthusiasm, passion, joy, mindfulness, here and now.

Thank you!

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