Irina Forrester
What media of art do you work in? Painting, ceramics, etc?
I work across a range of mediums, but if I had to choose a favourite, it would be oil. I love its versatility and expressive quality—it allows me to work in layers, blend intuitively, or paint boldly and directly, depending on the mood and subject.
How would you describe your genre of painting?
I mostly paint and draw from life, with a few recent exceptions. My training in Russia placed a strong emphasis on representational accuracy, which gave me a solid foundation. But lately, I’ve been drawn to exploring beyond simply reproducing what I see. I know I can create a lifelike image—but what interests me now is capturing an artistic impression of my surroundings, something that goes beyond technical skill to convey emotion and mood.
Can you describe your creative process? When you begin a painting, do you have an idea of what the end result is? Do you prepare sketches first? Do you know the colors you are going to use?
My process varies depending on the subject. Sometimes I make numerous preparatory sketches—starting with pencil thumbnails, then moving to tonal and colour compositions. Other times I work alla prima, finishing a piece in one sitting without prior studies. This is especially true for plein air work, where I paint directly onto canvas on location and often complete a small piece (around 30 x 40 cm) in 2–3 hours.
What is the message you want people to take away from your artwork?
I see myself as a visual storyteller—I paint my life’s experiences and the things that capture my interest. It’s incredibly rewarding when someone connects with my work and wants to take it home. That moment of shared emotion makes me truly happy.
100 years from now, how do you want people to remember you as an artist?
I don’t worry much about legacy—I try to live in the present. Painting brings me joy, and that’s enough for me right now.
What is your favorite praise you have received from a client or about your work?
A client once said about my painting of roses, “It looks as if they were dancing.” I thought that was a wonderful compliment—unexpected and poetic.
What are your hobbies outside of Art?
I love dancing! Recently, I’ve taken up tap. For an hour and a half each week, I’m completely focused on the rhythm and the steps—it clears my mind and lifts my spirits.
What is an interesting piece of trivia about you that people don’t know?
I also hold a degree in Fashion, which I obtained in Moscow, Russia.
Give me one or two sentences about your family?
We’re a very international family—there is a Russian, an Italian in the family, most of us are multilingual. My sons have studied abroad, one in Italy and one in Spain. It’s a rich cultural mix that keeps life interesting.
What has been your strongest influence in your art career thus far?
I was lucky to have early support in my artistic journey. At the age of eight, my parents enrolled me in local art classes led by two young graduates from the Surikov Moscow State Academic Art Institute. I remember them fondly—Elena Zasimova and Alexei Bobrusov. Sadly, we lost touch, but their influence stayed with me.
Later in life, I’ve been equally fortunate to meet wonderful artists who have mentored me and shaped my practice—Elena Nenastina, Samir Rakhmanov, and Olga Koroleva. I’m deeply grateful for their guidance. I should also mention Maral Klycheva and Matthias Chua who have both helped me in my early stages of coming back to art, when I first came to Singapore.
What is your vision for yourself as an artist 5 years from now?
In five years, I hope to have had my first solo exhibition. Until then, I’m focused on growing as an artist—developing my skills, deepening my ideas, and continuing to explore new possibilities.
Which one is your favorite artwork you have ever done and tell us why? My favourite artwork from my time in Singapore is Colours of Southeast Asia, 2022. I haven’t been able to part with it yet—it holds a very special place in my heart.
Which is one of your most recent works and tell me how you would describe the artwork to a potential buyer.
Mixed media is something I’ve been experimenting with recently. My Mooncake mini-series is an example of that exploration and reflects rich cultural heritage of modern Singapore.