Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gena Cohen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Gena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I was always a creative kid, but somewhere in Middle School I lost sight of that. Somehow life became less about enjoyment and creative exploration and more about making the grade and outer appearances. It wasn’t until roughly age eighteen when I moved to Minneapolis from the suburbs that I got ahold of some art supplies and fell head over heels in love with painting. I still remember the first painting I made, titled “Into the Light.” I spent ten hours in one sitting working on it, and I felt so in touch with the pulse of life and my own personal life-force.
The creative journey is like a living creature almost. It is constantly evolving. I began as a contemporary portrait artist, and now I really enjoy abstract expressionism. I plan on delving into sculpture as well within the next few years.
I learned the most technique wise at the Milan Art Institute. My technique really blossomed at that school, and the founder and instructor Eli Milan, really had a beautiful way of encouraging the artist to find their personal voice. I definitely found my voice at that school.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a mixed media oil painter, currently specializing in abstract expressionist work. I love how different materials interact with light, especially sunlight. I often incorporate materials such as mirror and copper onto my canvases along with oil paint, I love oil paint and its depth. My work is currently available for sale through MONAT gallery in Spain, and I also work with Access Art Studio in New York City, who sells my work.
It is my goal to move closer and closer to a 100% zero waste studio. I don’t want my craft, something that I love so much to be contributing to harming the environment.
I am also a poet and have four poetry/ art books for sale on amazon – To Sing With the Language of Bees is my favorite (from 2022). I also have written When Light Trembles on Water, Altar of Sky, and Antidote.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I was working with a local agency who was selling my art. Due to personal reasons we ended up going our separate ways. It was scary and at times disheartening to have to rebuild my entire business from scratch. If I did not love creating to the extent that I do, I would have perhaps quit.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love that there is a bottomless pit of creative expression within myself (and I believe anyone who wants to tap into that side of themself too). Now at age twenty eight, I have been working as a professional artist for ten years. I adore going into the studio and witnessing the emergence of meaning, color, shape and form onto the canvas. The act of creating is a bold one, and it is so vital for a healthy society.
The act of creating itself, in all of its rawness and truth, is my favorite part of being a creative.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://genacohenart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gena_cohen_art_mpls/
Image Credits
Carleen Olson took the portrait photos