Masha Eretnova

My name is Masha Eretnova and I’m a self-taught abstract artist. I was born and raised in a small village in Russia, but since 2020 I travel the world

I think of my abstract paintings as unfinished thoughts, rarely naming the works to ensure I don’t plant ideas to prime viewers.

My work is intended for viewers to imbue with personal meaning. I believe any meaning and feelings attached to a particular painting can evolve and change over time. Through my paintings, I can look deeper into myself, and I encourage viewers to embark on this journey.

Although I started exploring abstract painting focusing on only one color, black, today I sometimes introduce more colors and work with other mediums like epoxy resin, jesmonite, gouache, and oil pastels to bring fresh ideas, physical and emotional feelings and perspectives into my work with acrylic paint.

My process rarely starts with a sketch. Rather, I begin with a blank canvas and let the paint guide me. Adding water allows the paint to flow freely. Just as in meditation, I keep my focus on one thing - painting - keeping my mind still.

When I work on paper and canvas, I apply thick layers of color to create depth, texture and volume. The paint, a heavy, honey-like consistency, flows ...

Maria Eretnova is an abstract artist working with acrylics, texture and mixed media.

Born and raised in a small village sitting at the back of an industrial city in Russia, Maria had a rather isolated childhood. Her creative journey started very early, at the age of 5 or 6, when she began attending art and music classes.

Later, school and university took up most of Maria's time and following the aspirations of her parents, she chose foreign languages as her graduate field of study.

After graduating from the university in her hometown, Maria moved to the Russian cultural capital - Saint-Petersburg - to pursue literature studies at College Universitaire de Sorbonne (Paris).

In 2018, Maria formally returned to painting, working with oils and acrylics and recreating landscapes from her trips.

In early 2020, Maria left Russia to pursue personal goals and settled in South East Asia, where she is based today. This opens up new perspectives, new cultures and people and allows her to visit one-of-a-kind places like Japan.

Since 2020, art has become a full-time lifestyle for Maria, and since then, she focuses on her art & crafts blog as well as abstract art and acrylic pouring works.

A few of her pieces have already found their place...

2023 - Perpectivas, Sao Paolo, Brazil
2023 - Emptiness by Exhibizone, Biafarin
2024 - (upcoming) Italy