Artist Stories. Irina Forrester
Recording Life In Colour
What media of art do you work in?
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.
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.
How do you hope viewers interpret your artwork?
I hope viewers would look beyond a surface likeness and engage with the mood, atmosphere, and feeling within the work — approaching it with curiosity and sensitivity, and allowing their own perceptions and life experiences to interpret what they see
What is your favorite praise you have received from a client/viewer 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.
Outside of being an artist, what are some other things/hobbies you enjoy?
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.
Tell us 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.
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