Manjola Ulai is a young Albanian painter living in Montreal, Canada, who on her Facebook page "Manjola Art" became famous by spreading her creativity day by day. In a short conversation for the newspaper "Diaspora Shqiptare", she expresses her satisfaction that the Albanian community in Canada recognizes her creative work…
Manjola, how did your passion for painting come about, or did you inherit your talent?
I also have two sisters who are painters, and I believe we have inherited it for painting, but I also have that feeling that the passion for painting was born with me, and has grown day by day. I love this part, and I can not leave it.
You always post smiling in front of your pictures on social media. How happy is the art of drawing?
Most of all, my family makes me happiest, while I would list the painting second. Since we are talking about painting, I can say that there I get lost among the endless colors and find myself in every work I create. It gives me a lot of pleasure and I can not live without it. I feel lucky that God gave me this talent because I do not know what I would have done next.
Nature and the body are two themes that are mostly reflected in the paintings that you exhibit. What spirit do they convey?
Nature and the body are two details that are closely related to each other. As beautiful as they are, they are unlimited… I like to show the charm of the body and the serenity of nature. Both indiscriminately look very relaxing to the eye, mind and soul…
How many are sold and how many people are interested in paintings?
I believe that the interest in fine arts is increasing day by day, especially in the time of the possibility of communication through social networks, in which case art lovers can see the creation and offer it to the creators in easier forms than before. Prices vary depending on the size and time a painting takes me.
Why did you choose nude as a feature of your art?
In fact, I would like to emphasize that during my years of work and creativity I have been inspired by many different views, such as tranquil nature, portraits, landscapes, and of course I have found myself in modern, abstract, and realistic paintings, etc.… I like to explore with painting. Now at the moment, I find myself more in nudity, which to me remains sacred and infinite. Everybody is beautiful in its shape, and I am happy to be able to create one from my imagination.
What are the world paintings that you would single out as the inspiration for your art?
In fact, there are many painters whose works I have been inspired by, but I would like to mention two: "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo Da Vinci of 1797, and by the great Sandro Botticelli "The birth of Venus" (The birth of Venus) of the year 1485-1486 great works that do not speak but say it all. I believe that everyone loses in themselves when they have before their eyes these wonderful works!
What are you doing now?
I started my studies in Albania, when I moved to Canada I was forced cut off, which I am very sorry I could not finish. I am currently devoting myself to my family and my talent as a painter.
How is a creative day for you?
A creative day is full of life, I start it with pleasure in the morning in my studio, I enjoy every color I put on the picture, and every creation I do afterwards. My little one helps me and enjoys me many times, who takes the paintbrush and throws the colors like her mom on her little board. And so I rejoice in two things at once. Of course I enjoy when at the end of work I get the first praise from my husband, who supports me a lot in the path of art.
Does the Albanian community in Canada recognize your artistic work?
To tell the truth, I do not know how much the Albanian community in Canada knows my work, but I would be happy to know more about it thanks to this interview, and why not take pleasure in my work.
Finally what would you add?