They say that talent is a gift that manifests in early childhood. But what if a true calling waits for its hour for decades, quieting down under the weight of everyday chores, only to one day bloom with incredible force? Today we introduce you to Marina Amaglobeli — an amazing person and artist who has become a vivid example of the fact that for the fulfillment of a dream, the concept of "too late" does not exist. In this interview, Marina tells us how a chance gift from a colleague can change a life, why the sea is an animate friend to her, and how her work in the International Relations Department of Sokhumi State University intertwines with the magic of oil painting. This is a story about the search for depth, the courage to start all over again, and the importance of hearing the call of your own heart in time.
You dreamed of painting since childhood, but you began to realize this dream only in adulthood. What was the main reason for such a long wait, and what advice can you give to people who believe that "the time has already passed"?
Life circumstances turned out in such a way that I had to solve primary tasks — studies, family, children, work, and I wanted to do all of it well, which took up my main strength. I am absolutely sure that all people are gifted with talent; everyone has their own. It is important not to stop where you feel that it is not yours, not to live by inertia, not to be afraid of the new, but to look for what you like. And then, on your path and in your life, circumstances or people will appear who will give you this push. In the happiest coincidence, there is an absolute regularity. When you understand that what you are doing brings you joy, it means you are on the right path. Only the one who does not agree to live by habit, but seeks joy for the mind and heart in any activity — be it growing flowers, clothes or interior design, embroidery, who knows what it might be that brings a person joy and satisfaction.
This is life; this process never stops as long as a person is alive, and there are many examples of that. And this makes life beautiful and interesting. At any moment of your life, you can learn to play the guitar, the piano, to knit, and much more. I saw a story on TV about a very elderly woman who collected broken bottles and glass on the roads and in landfills, and then put them together into extraordinary mosaic paintings. Isn’t that a miracle? How much joy she brings to herself and others! People come to look at her paintings, inspired by her art. Therefore, he who says it is already too late has decided to fold his wings, and that is his choice.
Tell us more about that moment when your colleague gave you an easel and paints. How did you overcome the initial difficulties when your "hand trembled," and what role did the support of family and friends play in this?
I work at the university in the International Relations Department, and we quite often hold art exhibitions. The head of our department — Professor Indira Dzagania — a talented organizer and a creative person with amazing intuition, decided, while watching how expositions are prepared and what color and light solutions are made for a more advantageous presentation of each painting, suggested that I have a knack for drawing. Joking, she suggested I try to draw something myself, giving me an easel and watercolor paints for my birthday. I also replied, laughing, that drawing requires years of study, not to mention talent. But then I thought: why not try, because I dreamed about it so much in my childhood….
The subject of my first painting was a winter forest; it seemed to me that Christmas trees were the easiest thing to draw. But even straight lines were difficult for me. And when I showed the work to my family, everyone supported me and said that I had succeeded. My daughter was especially happy; she is very talented herself, draws beautifully, with great taste and a sense of style, but so far she cannot devote enough time to her hobby, as she has a very responsible job. Моя family turned out to be a great inspiring force for me; my husband still rejoices at every one of my paintings, he is the strictest critic and fan. And then I took a risk and posted my paintings on my Facebook page. With a bated heart, I waited for people’s reaction. And people wrote so many warm words that it became a great inspiration for me and gave me the strength to believe in myself and continue.
You work with oil. Why did you choose this particular technique to embody your ideas, and what does it allow you to express that other materials cannot?
I chose oil paint for its ability to convey complex shades, creating deep, rich colors. Oil allows you to easily mix colors, work on a painting for a long time due to slow drying, and convey volume through pasty strokes.
What philosophical or emotional meaning does the sea have in your creative work, and why do you constantly return to this image?
For me, the sea is my native element, and I have a deep emotional connection with it that was formed since childhood. When I was very little, I played with the waves — sometimes they were small, and sometimes I didn’t have time to run away and they covered me, as if the sea was specially calling me, and then catching up and merrily wetting me. I rejoiced and considered the sea my kind friend. When I became an adult, in days of heavy experiences, I came to the sea, sat on the shore, looked at it, and it, like a faithful loving friend, calmed me down. The sea for me is not just a landscape, but a living being; the “boundary states” of the sea can speak of human experiences; it is a living being — with a character, mood, breath, capable of expressing what is difficult to say in words: strength, anxiety, loneliness, hope. It is never the same — just like the human soul.
In your works, cozy houses where "the soul comes alive" are often found. How much are these subjects, as well as the choice of colors and the mood of the paintings, connected with memories of your home in Abkhazia, which you had to leave?
My first works were dedicated to the sea and also to cozy houses, where you feel comfortable and protected. Probably, these are the emotions and experiences that were in my heart. But now I want to paint other subjects. I want to learn how to display the texture of different materials, “catch” the beauty of the play of light, and also get closer to and immerse myself in the magic of impressionism. I am moving away from previous themes and trying to turn to other topics and subjects.
What is the most important thing in art for you? What emotions do you strive to convey through your paintings, and how does creativity help you express your deepest feelings?
People in our time are very much into the technique itself, and not the idea they express through this technique. Therefore, using craftsmanship, they strive to glorify themselves as experimentalists, rather than the idea itself. I think that an artist should be honest and happy in art.
It is better to paint millions of flowers in your life than to create ugliness for the sake of attention. Every day we see God’s world and do not consider it mundane. We never cease to be amazed by nature, people, flowers, landscapes, fruits — because it is a living creation in which there is meaning.
In art, as in relationships, depth is important. An artist is depth in everything. True art begins where there is depth — in craftsmanship and in the perception of the world. Art should be a way to talk to the world.
Tell us about your work "The Boat," which took 2nd place at Golden Time Talent. What inspired you to create it, and how did this international success affect your self-confidence?
In the competition work “The Boat,” my favorite theme of the sea and the style of impressionism are combined. Although the plot is quite simple, the play of color was especially advantageously displayed in the multi-colored strokes of the palette knife, and everything came together: the serenity of the sea, golden sun glares, multi-colored and bright strokes created an emotion of peace and harmony.
What is the most important thing for you in the process of creating a painting — perfect technique, originality of the plot, or the emotional impact on the viewer?
Of course, the search for oneself in different techniques is important. I am in a state of searching right now myself. Creativity is a path to self-discovery, liberation from fears, and the development of confidence. Painting is a way to reveal internal potential, gain freedom, and find joy. But it is more important not to lose the meaning of what you want to convey to others. As I wrote above, art is a way of talking to the world. It is important that the artist wants to share what is dear to him, what he likes himself, and then his art will find a response in the hearts of other people.
How do you see the development of your creativity in the coming years? Do you have a favorite painting created by you, and why is it special?
You can say that art is a way to yourself. Painting for me is like a tool for revealing oneself and self-discovery. I strive to be more expressive and confident in my creative work, to gain lightness through the acquisition of skills and experience, in order to get freedom of self-expression. Recently, I tried myself in painting a portrait. This work is very dear to me because it looks like my grandson. Everyone who saw it noted an extraordinary similarity to him, as well as a very harmonious, calm, and extraordinarily kind facial expression.
How do you find inspiration for new works? Are there themes or subjects you would like to explore in the future, moving away from the theme of the sea and houses?
