Zhanna Martin grew up in a small town in Siberia, Russia. Although she initially pursued a career in architecture, she was always involved in some kind of art hobby. In she moved to the US and worked at architectural firms in the Washington DC area for a few years. In , there was the “great recession” and she got laid off. Zhanna then took clay art classes. From her first contact with clay, she found herself making faces. Over time, her skills and reputation as a sculptor grew. She now considers her sculpting career as a career that she found and happily pursued owing to her circumstances.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Growing up in Russia, I did not have a lot of toys, so my sister and I often made our own dolls and dressed them up. We would always making something out of what we could find around. Now I realize the value of that experience. I also loved painting, drawing, and anything creative. But, at that time I did not fully understand that what I was doing was “Art”. I just understood it as something I loved doing. “Art” was certainly not a professional career path known in my little town.
As a result, I ended up studying Architecture. Sadly this was an unfulfilling career for me. Being laid off from my job as an architect allowed me to pursue something I found fulfilling: Art! I took classes from well established artists and the more I took classes the more I enjoyed letting all sorts of emotions flow through my fingers, allowing me to create wonderful snapshots of human expression. When photos of my work started appearing in magazines and I won some awards, I realized I could professionally pursue my passion in what is known as “Art”.
“People around me. I enjoy creating facial expressions in clay. I also enjoy seeing the emotions and expressions brought out in people when they see my work.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an unde
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Phillipe Faraut Sculpture
Recently, my dad and I had the privilege of attending a figure sculpting class with Phillippe Faraut at The Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota Florida.
From his website bio:
Philippe Faraut received his degree in woodcarving and the construction of French fine furniture from Germain Sommeillier in Annecy, France, his boyhood home. An avid traveler, Philippe's destinations have allowed him the opportunity to study the cultures of many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, thus influencing his work in portraiture sculpting. After establishing residence in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia, he developed an interest in modeling the head in clay. Soon thereafter, he relocated his studio to New York State and began teaching sculpting classes.
The class had 20 or so students who had traveled from all over to attend this class. Some of the students were taking one of Phillippe's classes for the second or third time.
We started by creating clay"sketches". These minute sculptures really helped work on gestural poses and anatomical proportions while becoming familiar with the medium.
I was not used to using the water-based clay.
Because of drying issues, I have always used an oil-based clay.
We started our larger piece by sculpting a lone torso.
No arms, legs, or head yet.
Dad is concentrating on his craft.
The second day we were allowed to proceed with the head and neck as well as the legs and the feet. Before starting a new part of the body, Phillippe gave a great demonstration on how to attack each area. I was surprised at how much of the class concentrated on anatomical lessons. Taking several anatomy classes at SCAD, I thought I knew a lot. I was quickly aware of how much I need to learn.
I really enjoyed learning about how to sculpt feet!
Here, Dad is getting some hands-on help.
On the last day, we added the arms and hands. We also learned Phil
