Today in Lansing: Artist ‘Svitlana M.’ debuts abstract impressionism exhibit

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Svitlana Martynjuk Exhibit

Free

7 to 9 p.m.

Woke Mind Body Studio

1133 S. Washington Ave., Lansing

Click here for event page

THURSDAY, NOV. 15 — Using acrylics and watercolors, artist Svitlana Martynjuk explores the connection between colors, texture and emotion with her first artist reception and exhibit at the Woke Mind Body Studio in REO Town.

“Most of my work I've done has been very colorful and invokes feelings in people,” Martynjuk said. “I usually pick colors that speak to me and lay them on canvas, still using the principles of design, but trying to match what I'm feeling inside.”

Martynjuk first got into painting through practicing watercolors in her native Ukraine. She grew up in the rural western capital region of Rivne, spending time in her great-grandmother’s cottage home in the countryside.

“It is something everyone in my school did and something I found very therapeutic.”

After spending 13 years in Texas, Martynjuk moved to Lansing with her husband to work on her Master of Science Management, Leadership and Strategy degree from Michigan State University.

This is an asset to her artistic endeavors because not very many artists know how to run a business well, she added.

“Being back in my native climate in Michigan, I didn't realize how much I missed it.”

Lately, Martynjuk said her work has been inspired by the works of fellow Ukrainian-American immigrant Janet Sobel, who pioneered the “drip paintings,” which are often solely associated with Jackson Polluck.

“Now I am trying to learn about women artists. They are often not in any of the art books and I thought that was so disappointing.”

Her interest in psychology also plays a role in her work, she said.

“With any piece that I make, there is a whole thinking process to it. There is a lot of exploration in emotion and self expression. There is so much that goes into it as a person that helps me to express myself.”

Her piece “Breathe” is available nationally after being picked up by West Elm, a subsidiary of Williams-Sonoma who stocks Pottery Barn stores.

Martynjuk said she doesn’t want to influence attendees minds about her art by declaring a theme or meaning to them.

I want people to experience the way the way experience paintings on their own. But I do wonder if what I describe through the painting is the same thing.”

For more information on her artwork and commission, visit www.svitlanas.com

More events in Lansing:

“So You Want to be a Poet?” Workshop by Aram Kabodian

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road., East Lansing

Jenna Lennon's Art Reception at Blue Owl

7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Blue Owl Coffee, 1149 S. Washington Ave., Lansing

Uncovering Galaxies' Hidden Secrets with Dr. Devin Silvia

7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Abrams planetarium, 755 Science Road, East Lansing

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