10 Questions with Snow Dollkinson

Snow's artistic journey is deeply rooted in her European heritage and an early fascination with the natural world. From a young age, she became captivated by the intricacies of life, observing the unpredictable nature of people, objects, and events—ranging from the delightful and captivating to the bitter and spiritual. Snow embraces the energy that surrounds us, drawing strength from both the positive and challenging aspects of life.

Her artwork delves into the tension between the personal and intimate and the raw and exposed. Whether portraying the natural world or abstract concepts, Snow's paintings highlight the simplicity of everyday life, capturing moments that speak to the essence of human experience.

Snow's work reflects her deep connection to nature, beauty, and love. It encompasses a journey of discovery that spans from the moment of birth to the unexpected paths that reveal themselves, offering a wide range of sensations, from lightness to depth. Her paintings showcase the remarkable power of simplicity, inviting not just a visual experience but an emotional response that resonates deeply with the viewer.

The geometric and organic elements in Snow's compositions symbolize life's unpredictable beauty and joy. Her artwork reflects the dynamic forces that shape existence, with all its chaos, reflection, action, and stillness. Through her pieces, Snow explores the complex relationships between people, the earth, and all living things, influenced by the moods, chemistry, and emotional depth shared between individuals.

A key feature of Snow's paintings is the prominent use of white and gold, which represents her view of the universe as a mystery filled with positive energy, spiritual power, and shared dreams. This use of white encourages confidence, conviction, and strength of character, empowering both the present and the future. Through her work, Snow fosters clarity and openness, igniting creativity and inspiring the discovery of new ideas that were once beyond our imagination.

Above all, Snow's artistic aim is to express sensitivity and transparency in thought, infusing each piece with a sense of authenticity and depth.

snowartwork.portfoliobox.net | @snowdollkinson

ARTIST STATEMENT

Snow's work is a visual exploration of life's dualities—the delicate balance between simplicity and complexity, beauty and chaos. With her early connections to the natural world, she has always been fascinated by the layers of unpredictability in both people and the world around us. Her art is a reflection of this fascination: a delicate dance between the personal and the universal, the intimate and the exposed.

Through her use of geometric and organic forms and the subtle yet powerful presence of white and gold, she represents the mystery and positive force of the universe—a place of possibility, creativity, and shared dreams. The simplicity of her compositions serves as a conduit for profound emotional depth, inviting viewers to experience not just the visual but the emotional undercurrents of her work.

Snow's art captures the essence of human experience—the lightness and depth, the quiet moments, the unexpected twists in the journey of life. Her pieces serve as reminders that beauty and meaning can be found in the most fleeting moments and that life itself is an unpredictable force worth embracing in all its rawness and complexity.

At the heart of Snow's artistic practice is a commitment to transparency and authenticity. She aims not only to create work that is visually striking but to connect on a deeper level with those who encounter it—inviting them into a space of introspection, discovery, and emotional resonance.

INTERVIEW

First of all, tell us a little more about your background. How did you begin making art? 

Like all kids, I expressed myself with forms and colors without knowing the meaning of art. My father, who often created beautiful calligraphy, drawings, and paintings, introduced me to several mediums, letting me discover what inspired me the most.

When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist?

As a teenager, I started to travel the world and, of course, never separate myself from my “Carnets De voyage”… the people that I currently met during my journey, were essentially artists: designers, stylists, photographers, movie directors… and feedback I receive from them, each time they discover a sketch or a painting that I was doing during my spare time, convinced me that I had to explore, not only crafting artworks but to also explore the encounter of art with the world, the people of the world.

You work primarily with painting; why did you choose this medium, specifically? What does it represent for you, and how does it help you convey your message? 

Painting was the first tool I had in hand to tell my story, to express my feelings, fears, and joys. It is a bridge between me and the unknown, the always-wanting-to-be-known.

Your work reflects a deep connection to nature and the unpredictable aspects of life. How do you translate this fascination with unpredictability into your creative process? 

The process of artistic creation is, by itself, driven by the inner forces of our mind, the deepest places of our soul, that are by nature unpredictable; we are just the witness of ourselves. Are we wise enough to understand, or at least to translate those elements into our art, to let them pass through us, us, walking as blinds in this ocean of creation?… someone, sometimes, somewhere, will open and read the message in the bottle.

In your paintings, you balance both geometric and organic elements. Can you tell us how these forms represent the beauty and chaos of life, and how you decide which elements to incorporate into each piece? 

In the big cities of the world, everything we see and everything we touch is man-made; at least, even if the origin is natural, our surroundings have been processed, tuned, mixed, built, assembled, and twisted by man. We have projected on this world that it could be seen as random and chaotic, but in fact, it is “the essence of perfection,” our vision and our understanding, following a kind of simplistic, Manichean pattern. But nature always finds its way. Nothing is as far from perfection as our sense of perfection. Life is a patchwork of sensations, vibrations, and energy that are unpredictable and uncontrollable. The only option we have is to drown ourselves in the flow and hope to emerge.  I leave the flow guiding me at each moment of my creative process, but a coaction between the elements is always there, every organic piece incorporates a geometrical and conceptual structure and every geometrical and conceptual piece incorporate, through its fragile textures and lines, an organic vibe; we are not strangers to the world even if some days we go apart.

Your use of white and gold is a prominent feature in your work. How do these colors represent your view of the universe and influence the emotional tone of your pieces?

White seems pure and neutral, but all the colors are in white. A white page left our imagination unfolded perspectives. Gold is found in artworks from all continents and civilizations, from the Egyptians to Gustave Klint. In popular imagery, gold is the sun, the unique sun that lights all forms of life, rare; this absolute force is the symbol of our singularity, and its shine opposes the darkness, the positivity that drives us to achieve all our dreams.

Many of your compositions explore the tension between the personal and the universal. How do you translate personal experiences into something that resonates universally with viewers? 

Each of us, being part of the universe, is himself, an allegorical image of the universe through his personality, through his life. It is like a copycat, a DNA code, more than a link, a mirror from the personal to the universal. From the infinitely big to the infinitely small, everything repeats always the same, and always different, letting pass through me and my brush the energy, the undeniable influences, evoking my journey and my emotions, is my duty as an artist, being just a tool, the viewers are also part of the process.

Your work often invites introspection and discovery. What do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your paintings, both visually and emotionally? 

Harmony, peace. Let yourself be guided by the flow to find a place to meet with yourself and redefine yourself and your image. This is how I feel when I paint, and I hope that is what my paintings give away.

Looking forward, what are some future themes or directions you’re excited to explore in your art? Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re particularly excited about?

The themes impose themselves on me each moment, each day. It is like a book; I turn the pages and discover. As an artist, exposing your work can be considered an achievement. It is just the beginning, again and again. The next step is already behind us.

Lastly, where do you see yourself and your work five years from now? 

Me painting, and my work on your wall.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.