Wojciech Wos specialises in digital paintings, using an iPad to create many of his emotive contemporary artworks. Currently studying art at the South West College in Enniskillen, Wojciech is continuing to develop his skills with ambitions "to become a full-time artist." Here he talks to The Impartial Reporter about the inspiration behind his art, exhibiting locally and why he likes "painting on the screen."

JC: What is your artistic background?

WW: I have always been into art. As a child I used to look at the illustrations in the children’s books and, all fascinated and inspired, try to recreate those illustrations and add my own twist to them. When I was around 10, I heard about art lessons in a culture and art house in my hometown. I joined the group with my best friend and I started my journey with learning how to draw, paint and take first pictures with analogue and digital cameras and also use a darkroom. I continued to develop new skills and progress in the culture house until my final year in school. I had a break from art for a few years before I moved to Ireland. I started art and design foundation course in South West College in Enniskillen in 2016, where I understood that art is what I want to do for living. I am still in South West College, studying on higher education level and practicing every day to become a full-time artist in the future.

JC: What inspires your art?

WW: My major inspiration is the human body and emotion. I love watching people –– the way we carry ourselves and react to different circumstances is fascinating. I am also very inspired by mental health as it is a big issue nowadays so I think it is very important to make people aware of this problem. I appreciate a good landscape too.

JC: Is there a specific place that you do your work?

WW: I created my own little zen space in my bedroom with a beautiful handmade desk and a lot of aesthetically pleasing objects to inspire me to create more. I am working hard to get my own studio in the future but for now I have to be happy with what I have.

JC: What has been your most ambitious piece to date?

WW: It must be the series of six paintings ('Stranger in the room') I created for the final exhibition for the foundation course I did in South West College. It was highly inspired by mental health and I must say it was a very emotional and eye opening experience to create those. All six paintings were displayed in First Trust Bank in Enniskillen for 12 months, back in 2017.

JC: What different artistic media do you use and which is your favourite?

WW: I specialise in digital painting and it is definitely my favourite artistic medium to use. A lot of people still don’t take it seriously as it is “painting on the screen” and ask me if I can draw with a pencil too – yes I can do that too. I think it’s the new future as we all have the screen that we can look at literally in seconds by taking a phone out of our pockets which means that more people can reach my art without the big hassle of going to the gallery. Of course that doesn’t mean that my art is only digitalised because I print my paintings to get that physical experience too. It's 2019, there are a lot of opportunities and options that allow me to experiment more and have more fun with art.

JC: What are you currently working on?

WW: I am working on a project with a company from Australia that wants to print my pieces on a garment which is very exciting. I am also creating designs for a new project from my course about recycling – and it’s a sculpture, a new skill that I am developing.

JC: Do you exhibit your work anywhere?

WW: I had an opportunity to display my artworks in the Hambly & Hambly art gallery in Enniskillen in 2018. I am also featured on a few online art galleries and all my work is available to view on my social media/my website.

JC: Any new artistic ventures planned for 2019?

WW: I am working on improving my oil painting skills and sculpture which is completely different to what I do everyday. It feels good to get my hands covered with clay or paint, away from my computer or an iPad. On the “electronic” side – I want to learn how to animate my paintings.

JC: What are you up to when you aren’t painting?

WW: I am very interested in fashion and interior design, so I spend a lot of time following all the new trends and searching for “pearls” that suit my aesthetic. I also enjoy exploring different parts of Ireland and days away at the coast – my dog loves it too.

JC: What does your art mean to you?

WW: It helps me to express myself, it's also very therapeutic. If I didn’t have art I’d feel empty and unsatisfied. I wake up and go to bed thinking about new ideas. It's my oxygen, art is my everything.