We recently connected with Paola Charnet and have shared our conversation below.

Paola, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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 learned mostly through a self-taught path, complemented by formal studies at the Institut Barcelonès d’Art, some courses at the Barcelona Academy of Art, and ad hoc workshops, both in person and remote, with painters who inspire me. This mix allowed me to develop at my own pace while still grounding my practice in classical principles. Over time, I’ve come to understand that with any craft, there are no shortcuts. As beginners, we often want to dive straight into painting, but skipping the fundamentals only slows us down. Drawing, form, values, color theory, composition, and material knowledge are essential pillars, and taking the time to study them is what gives depth and clarity to the work. I’ve also found that exploring different mediums and techniques helped me identify what truly resonates with the way I want to express myself.

If I could have accelerated my learning, I would have embraced the value of foundational training much earlier and trusted that repetition and slowness are part of the process. One of the biggest challenges was balancing my artistic growth with other professional obligations, while also navigating self-doubt and the overwhelming volume of information available. Confidence builds slowly, and part of the learning curve is developing the ability to filter what’s useful for you and allowing space for experimentation. In the end, the most essential skills have been not just technical ones, but also persistence, self-discipline, and the willingness to remain a student, always learning, observing, and refining.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a figurative oil painter exploring what I call the geometry of emotions—a visual language where color, form, and rhythm give shape to inner states that often elude words.

My work is not only about representing visible reality, but also delves into the invisible: the emotional weight of memory, the tension between control and surrender. I paint women whose hair becomes a vessel for these emotions, blending geometric forms into their bodies and surroundings, creating a dialogue between the personal and the universal. Through the interplay of color and shape, I seek to explore the complexity of human experience, expressing emotions not just as feelings, but as tangible, physical forms.

My practice spans two primary directions. On one side, I focus on the development of personal artworks that are part of ongoing exhibitions and series. On the other, I work on commissioned pieces, allowing for a more intimate and tailored approach to individual stories and requests. These commissioned works offer me the opportunity to connect with clients in a unique way, translating their personal experiences and emotions into visual expressions.

What I aim for with my art is not to dictate a single interpretation, but to offer a space for viewers to engage with the work on a personal level. I hope that when people encounter my paintings, they experience something that resonates with their own emotions—whether it’s a moment of quiet reflection, a deep connection to a certain color or shape, or a sense of the unspoken that lies within us all.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The journey of an artist is never easy. It’s a constant balance between ambition and reality, between what we envision and what we can create. Early on, it can feel as though the gap is insurmountable, and even as we progress, that feeling never fully disappears. As expectations rise, the sense of not being “there yet” can be overwhelming. But when we look back at where we started, the progress is undeniable. Dissatisfaction might always linger because the more we learn, the more we realize how much further there is to go. And yet, each step forward is a victory.

There’s something inside us that keeps pushing us to create, even when the results don’t meet expectations, even when we’re tired or discouraged. The act of painting, of expressing ourselves, comes from a deeper place that transcends external validation. It’s not about selling a piece or gaining approval; it’s about the drive to paint, to create, no matter what. That inner pull is something every artist feels, and it keeps us going, even when the journey is tough.

Through conversations with fellow artists, I’ve realized that we all navigate this complex journey of mixed emotions, and it’s a path only we can walk. In the end, I believe what truly makes the difference isn’t just skills, but how we manage our minds in those moments when we feel we’ve reached our limit. The reality is, today, you’re better than you were yesterday.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I believe people who do not paint often underestimate how expansive the journey is beyond the pure act of painting itself. The process begins long before the first brushstroke, with significant time spent designing the composition, experimenting with ideas, shapes, and conducting color studies. An idea may go through 20 to 30 revisions before it feels right, with many discarded before reaching the canvas.

Once the design is set, the physical work begins, starting with canvas preparation, stretching and priming the surface. Then, I create a base drawing and move into the underpainting, laying the foundation for the layers that follow. Oil paintings have a multi-layered structure, which means the final image is often far from what was originally envisioned. Each layer must dry before the next one can be applied, requiring days of waiting between them. Unlike faster mediums like acrylics or watercolors, oil paint has its own pace, demanding patience. This waiting period often leads to moments of reflection where you realize what still needs refinement. For me, this slower process is part of the medium’s beauty, allowing the canvas to evolve and grow.

This journey of discovery is just as valuable as the finished work itself. The act of creation is where I find the most growth, and it’s a reminder that art’s true value often lies in the unseen process, not just the final product.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paolacharnet.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/paolambina
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@paolambina