A painter’s view
Full of pastels, strokes of watercolour and hints of shimmer, Alina Buffiere’s designs capture the beauty of simplicity.
Hello, who are you?
Hi! I am Alina, the artist and designer behind Alina Buffiere Studio. When I paint, I like to combine various traditional media, but I also draw digitally on iPad. I love both techniques for their own unique magic. When I’m not creating or running my small business, I enjoy simple and cosy things: warm drinks, quiet moments, chunky knits and fluffy animals (including, but not limited to, my two cats Mishka and Alpha).
When did you start painting?
My journey to creativity wasn’t very straightforward. As a child I was really into painting and drawing, often spending my afternoons creating something in kids’ art club or doodling at home. However, slowly over time arts got pushed aside by seemingly more career appropriate sciences. I focused heavily on chemistry in high school, went on to study engineering, then continued with research at a university. Twelve years and a PhD later, it just didn’t fulfil me anymore… I was ready to turn the page, but to do what? Surprisingly, all I really wanted was to paint, draw and create again! That’s how my studio started in 2018.
You’ve lived in seven countries in 10 years. Have the different countries you’ve lived in each inspired your work?
You might find this quite silly, but for the longest time I was convinced that my creative process is not very inspired by my surroundings. That was until my husband pointed out that I illustrated Scandinavian Hygge cards when we lived in Sweden, painted mountain landscapes in southern Germany, and drew abstract waterscapes just before our move to the Dutch seaside. So yes, the countries I’ve lived in have definitely shaped my work, even if some influences are more subtle than others.
What’s been your inspiration lately?
This shouldn’t come as a big surprise, but definitely the Netherlands! The vastness and tranquility of the landscapes and their lush greenery. The striking contrast of sandy dunes against the deep blues of the sea. The long and unbelievably colourful sunsets over the water. At the moment I am discovering this new country and soaking in all its beauty.
Talk us through your creative process. How do you get to a finished piece?
My creative process usually goes one of two ways – easy, or super hard. It sounds dramatic, but there really is no middle ground! The easy way happens when I get a vision or an idea for a piece or even entire collection. It appears very clearly in my mind and stays there, almost bothering me, until it’s out on paper or canvas. That’s the best possible scenario for any artist, but unfortunately it doesn’t always happen like this. For all the other times, I do it the hard way – sitting at my desk with not even the slightest idea in my head. When this happens I know that I just have to persevere, try new things and techniques, look for inspiration around me. Soon enough something will spark an idea.
What’s your favourite medium to work with?
I love using several different media and playing with finishes, textures, and even shine! The uncontrollable magic of watercolour, the chalky opacity of gouache, the bold richness of acrylics, the delicate shimmer of gold leaf – they all are so special to me. Curiosity makes me try new materials and colours all the time, so my friends and family know better than to leave me alone in art supply shops for too long! But if I really had to pick just one to use for the rest of my life, that would probably be watercolour. I love how it can be both transparent and very bold, and has a mind of its own sometimes.
What does the average day look like for you?
My days depend a lot on what tasks I have at hand at the moment. At times it’s the glorious freedom of painting and creating, other times it’s the good old, boring admin work on my computer. But that’s what I love most about being not just an artist, but also a small business owner. I get to wear many different hats – writer, designer, marketer, advertiser, photographer, accountant. You name it, I probably do it! To be honest, though, I do struggle sometimes with dedicating more time to creating and less to the business side of things.
How long will you sit with a piece before it’s ‘finished’?
I usually work quickly and try to finish paintings within a day or two, before losing the feel and the idea I was going for. At the same time I often work in series and have several pieces on the go. But I’ve also noticed that it’s good to take a break from each piece for a few hours, or, better yet, overnight. Looking at a painting with fresh eyes the next day makes you notice new things – both good and bad.
Do you have any tips and tricks you’d like to share for other creatives wanting to start their own small business?
I have a small trick that comes in very handy sometimes. On my computer there is a file called ‘The Good Stuff’. It’s where I record all the good things that have happened to my art and business. Kind reviews, sales milestones, and good news of any kind all goes in there. On the days when motivation runs low, or I start to question myself, I open this file, scroll through and instantly feel a little better.
Follow along with Alina on Intstagram – @alinabuffiere
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
