Inner Canvas – A Journey of Vulnerability and Cosmic Strength

Interview with Indira Gasanin

1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.

I was born in Sarajevo in 1990, a city marked by both beauty and scars. Growing up in an environment shaped by conflict taught me very early that fragility and resilience can coexist. That duality has always stayed with me and eventually found its way onto my canvases. Even though my professional path led me first to journalism and later to nursing – two fields that also revolve around people’s stories and healing – painting was the constant that never left me. Since the age of ten, the canvas has been the place where my inner world found its form.

2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.

A normal day as an artist rarely looks “normal.” There are days when inspiration bursts like a storm, and I can work for hours, forgetting time and place. Other days are quiet, almost still, when I only prepare a canvas, mix colors, or simply look at my previous works. Those pauses are equally important. They remind me that art is not only about producing but also about listening – to myself, to the silence, and to the world around me.

3. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?

The main themes in my art revolve around femininity, identity, and cosmic energy. Works like Cosmic Woman (2025) celebrate the feminine as infinite, radiant, and eternal – a body that carries both vulnerability and cosmic strength. I often use strong contrasts: deep blues and blacks as a backdrop of mystery, neon pinks and greens as energy bursts, and gold leaf to highlight sacredness and resilience. The female figure in my paintings is not passive. She is a force, simultaneously fragile and unbreakable.

4. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?

Art inevitably shapes every other part of my life. It makes me more attentive, more patient, and more open to paradoxes. Just like in painting, where two seemingly opposite colors can create harmony, in life I have learned that pain and joy, loss and growth, can coexist.

5. Could you share any difficulties and hardships you had to face in life and how or if you managed/overcame them?

Of course, the artistic journey is not without difficulties. Self-doubt has been my most persistent challenge. There are moments when I feel invisible, when I question if my art has a place in the larger world. Balancing work, financial responsibilities, and creative expression is never easy. Yet, every time I stand in front of a blank canvas, I remember why I began: because painting is not something I do, it is something I am. Overcoming hardships for me has always meant returning to that truth.

6. Tell us about your best experience in the art world so far.

My best experience in the art world so far has been the moment I allowed myself to share my works publicly. Submitting my portfolio, engaging in conversations about my art, and being considered for exhibitions in Munich and beyond – these moments confirmed not only my artistic path but also my courage to show up.

7. Share your worst experience in the art world.

As for the “worst experience,” I would say it is simply the silence that sometimes follows submissions, when no feedback is given. But I don’t take it personally – for me, it’s just part of the process. It’s not an end, but rather a sign that the next opportunity might be a better fit for my work.

8. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?

If I could give one piece of advice to fellow artists, it would be: protect your inner canvas. The art world can sometimes feel competitive and harsh, but your creative space should remain sacred. Don’t measure your worth by acceptance or rejection. Measure it by the truth you put into your work.

9. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Is the artist’s life lonely? At times, yes. There are long hours of solitude, and the vulnerability of exposing your soul on a canvas can feel isolating. But loneliness is also fertile ground. It creates space for honesty and deep connection – first with yourself, and then with others who resonate with your art. In my case, painting has given me a sense of belonging that transcends physical place.

10. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?

Currently, I am continuing my Inner Canvas series, expanding it with works that explore the tension between silence and impulse, fragility and power. I am also preparing to apply for exhibitions where my pieces, such as Between Impulses and Nightly Impulse, can meet a wider audience. My vision is to keep creating art that not only reflects my inner journey but also invites others to recognize fragments of themselves within it.

E-Mail: indira.gasanin@live.com

Instagram: @inner_canvas_by_i