Paintings by an Architect: Colourful, Intricate Works by Maja Wronska

Today I’m delighted to bring you an interview with an artist I have been admiring for a while now, and you probably have too! Maja Wronska is an architect by trade, and she creates beautiful watercolour paintings of cities full of intricate detail and eye-catching colour. 

What inspires you?

First of all I have to say that my greatest inspiration is my Mum. My mum is a great architect in my opinion, and she always was good at drawing too. Of course after graduation she didn’t have much time for drawing, cause she works as an architect and it’s her full time job. She always wanted me to draw well, but she never forced me to do this. When I was a kid she let me color designs of facades, and sometimes she showed those drawings to actual clients! I was so proud when she wasn’t ashamed of my drawings and I have to say that I was only 5 years old. What’s more we always have millions of coloured pencils, all range of paints at home, and I could use them all the time, besides they were meant for professional usage not for 4 or 5 years’ olds.

Now, I don’t have to be inspired to draw. I paint almost every Friday. I just reserve that day for painting, cause it’s a real fun to me. Of course I go to the parties or have a lot of work sometimes, so it’s not every Friday. And besides that, I have to end my drawing before 9, cause after then I reserve my time for TV shows (grey’s, big bang etc).

What is the process behind your work from start to finish?

Actually it’s pretty obvious. I usually look for some photos, (I got millions from my friends) and also search on the Internet. When I like a photo I write to the owner/photographer. If he or she lets me, I paint it. If not I use Google Earth or ask someone else. I always start with a quick sketch, and then I choose the color scheme, and paint the whole painting. I scan it, change colors in photoshop to be as vibrant as in the original painting. (Yes, I know I have old scanner, should buy a bigger one) I usually upload it the next day.

Your paintings are very precise and neat (I’m guessing this comes from you studying architecture), how come you decided to use your skills as an architect to create colourful art works?

I’ve never had to decide to start using it, I just always use it.

Anything else you want to add about your work?

Well, this is all new to me. I don’t consider myself an artist. I’m an architect for a living, and I don’t think that will ever change. I like designing, it’s way more fun than painting. But I assume that nowadays, rendering and design is so popular that it’s difficult to be a recognizable architect. What’s more, for many people art is simpler, they don’t treat architecture this way.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I just want to wish your readers a Happy New Year!

Can’t get enough of Maja’s paintings? Check out her Facebook page!

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