Article: Visiting Vivian Benard
IN HER STUDIO, BERLIN
ARTIST AND MODEL
@VIVABENARD
ARE YOU INSPIRED BY OTHER ARTISTS?
Vivian: Yes, a lot! I am especially interested in abstract art, and so many amazing artists out there!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Vivian: A lot of things. Colors, my thoughts or sometimes from quotes. My biggest motivation is the fact that my mind is quiet while I am painting. I am an overthinking person and am always inside my head, so painting is therapy for me.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET INSPIRED?
I don’t have anything specific to do to get inspired. I am very open-minded, and if I see something that inspires me, I take notes and try to incorporate it into my work the next time.
DO YOU WORK QUICKLY, OR DO YOU HAVE A LONG PROCESS BEFORE YOU FINISH A PIECE?
Vivian: Depends. I work intuitively, and sometimes, the painting feels ready by 2 hours, and sometimes, I need weeks or months. I have a lot of unfinished paintings in my studio, but I am quite sure that I will finish them one day.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN CREATIVE?
Vivian: Yes, creativity has always been a part of my life and will always be. I started painting when I was very young, continued with writing, and stopped for a while during my teens.
DO YOU WORK WITH ANY MEDIUM OTHER THEN PAINTING?
Vivian: No.
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
Vivian: Being with my kids, in my studio, or surrounded by my friends.
WHY DO YOU WORK AS AN ARTIST?
Vivian: Because I think I AM an artist. I have no other option but to be creative. So, I think it’s pretty smart to combine it and do what I am passionate about for my work.
DO YOU HAVE A DREAM ABOUT SOMETHING CONCRETE, SUCH AS EXHIBITING IN A CERTAIN PLACE OR COLLABORATING WITH ANOTHER ARTIST?
Vivian: Yes. My biggest dream is to own a gallery in New York Soho someday. I still manifest it.
DOES YOUR WORK MEAN A LOT TO YOU?
Vivian: Yes, it does! I am a perfectionist, and I claim to be the most professional. But what's most important is that my work doesn’t feel like my work, so I really do it with passion.
ARE YOU GOOD AT TAKING TIME OFF?
Vivian: I could definitely be better. I do have off days, but right now I have to get all my private stuff done that I don’t have time for when I work, so I guess not.
IS IT CHALLENGING TO BALANCE LIFE WITH CHILDREN AND YOUR CREATIVE WORKSPACE?
Vivian: No, not really. My kids go to school, so I have the whole morning to do my stuff or work in my studio. And on very long creative days, the father of my children looks after them. I also love bringing them into my studio and being creative with them.
ARE YOU AMBITIOUS?
Vivian: Not really, I think. Mostly, I am very insecure about what I am doing, and when I am insecure, I start to overthink, and when I start to overthink, I give up *haha*. I think at some point I will get back to the unfinished paintings and start them from scratch, but yes, my insecurities usually get in the way.
DO YOU LIKE TO COOK, OR DO YOU MOSTLY EAT OUT?
Vivian: I like both.
DO YOU HAVE A HOBBY BESIDES PAINTING?
Vivian: I love to read books, write poems, or take pictures with my camera.
ARE YOU A FAMILY PERSON?
Vivian: Yes and no. I am a mother of two children and the most thankful person in the world for having them. But it is also very challenging, and sometimes I am quite overwhelmed (as I think many mothers are), and I need a little time for myself. But in general, yes.
DO YOU HOLD DINNER PARTIES FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, OR DO YOU PREFER GOING OUT?
Vivian: I love being with my friends and having dinner parties, but I also appreciate having a delicious dinner at my favorite local restaurant.
DO YOU TRAVEL A LOT?
Vivian: Yes. In addition to art, I work as a model and create a little bit of content for other brands. I have traveled a lot in the last few months, but I also enjoy it. I love to travel and to experience new places.
WHICH BIG CITY DO YOU LIKE THE BEST TO VISIT AND WHY?
Vivian: One of my favorite big cities is New York. I love the vibe, the buildings, and especially the Americans. They are polite and very friendly. Secondly, I would say one of my favorite cities is Copenhagen. For me, it is the most beautiful city to live in, not to mention how stylish the people are.
COULD YOU IMAGINE LIVING SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN BERLIN?
Vivian: Yes, for sure. My first choice would definitely be Copenhagen.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Vivian: Pasta.
DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE?
Vivian: I can’t think of one right now.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU DREAM OF WORKING WITH AS AN ADULT?
Vivian: I always wanted to be a lawyer or a judge but never knew that studying law was such a difficult and long process. What I really don’t like, when I was a kid as well, is injustice. I think this was one of the reasons of it being my dream job.
WHAT QUALITIES MEAN THE MOST TO YOU IN OTHER PEOPLE?
Vivian: Loyalty and honesty. I think everyone makes mistakes, and nobody is perfect. But it depends on how this person handles their issues and communicates them with you.
