Maria (Children of Chalk / Chalk Children) Painting

Instagram:@pilleernesaks I was born in Tallinn, Estonia, right by the Gulf of Finland. My house in Tallinn stands almost on the seashore. Seeing the sea every day is very important to me. The sea seems to have a mind and a life of its own - not a day goes by without me having imaginary conversations with it. Each day the sea is in a different mood - just like a human being. The winter sea where water plays with ice is my particular favourite. I enjoy the different hues of colour that the winter sea displays. My biggest sources of inspiration are people and untamed nature. I love to paint from memory. I often paint the people I have fleetingly encountered on the streets or seen in old photographs. I am especially fascinated with old people - I find the landscapes of lines on their faces and their eyes full of years of wisdom very interesting. Another source of inspiration is my family. The materials I work with are acrylic and oil on canvas. I often use my fingers to apply paint in fast strokes. I adore the feeling when there are some other forces at play, and I do not have full control over what is happening on the canvas (when I am painting using my palms or a crumpled piece of cloth). I love to paint intuitively and to leave some room for chance. There should be some excitement in it for me too!