Meet Orna Feinstein | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Orna Feinstein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Orna, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
In the beginning it’s always hard. When you start your business, or start a new career, you want to give 100% of yourself. Success is the goal, and you work hard, day and night, to achieve success in your dream activity.

I began my artistic career twenty five years ago. I remember that many times I spent endless time in the studio, way more than the 9-5 standard. There were many weekends I spent in the studio, as well as many evenings working at home.

As things changed thru the years, and my artistic career achieved a certain pattern of activity and success, I am more flexible with my time, and I learned to re- balance my work/life rythem. I have more time to spend with family and friends, as well as more time to travel.

At this stage of my career, I feel that the new balance enriches my work, and all of my other fields of interest. I know that staying away from the studio when I am traveling, makes me more eager to go back to it. And when I am tired working, I find it fun and refreshing to go out with friends and spend time with the family.

It’s not easy to find the right balance, but when you achieve it, it’s rewarding, and guaranteed to last.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I spend many hours a day in the studio, working with new ideas, and exploring new materials to convey the same subject matter in different ways. The experimental nature of my practice leads to some disappointments, but many successes as well. My scientific approach, mixed with artistic freedom and inspiration, generates new works with endless opportunities for additional discoveries.

I work on many artworks simultaneously, and move from one process to another as I see fit for the day. The sculpture area of my studio is separated from the print and painting area, so I am able to appropriate the right space for the right process.

I still make monoprints, using the same process I did 20 years ago. In addition, I am working on large-scale canvases, mixed media and concrete sculptures.

I am proud of my achievement in innovating in the field of printmaking, and inspiring many young and old artists to explore printmaking.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my dedication, hard work, discipline, extreme passion and my experimental, almost scientific approach to art making.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I feel lucky to live in Houston, the most diversified city in the US. So when friends visit. I take them to different ethnic restaurants in town. Some of my favorites are LemonGrass in Bellaire, Songkram in Uptown. Doris metropolitan and others. A visit to few of the different food market is also a treat. Some of the market that I like include Hong Kong market in Chinatown, Phoenicia Mediterranean market on Westheimer, and few Indian markets on Hillcroft.

No visit is complete without a trip to the Menil Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. And if we still have energy, I will take my guest to the opera or Stages Theatre.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In an artistic career that lasts decades, it’s hard to single out someone who deserve more recognition than other. I know that every gallery that ever represented me, exhibited my work, and sent press releases to all the publication, deserve a lot of credit. There are numerous museum curators who included my work in solo and group exhibitions around the country.

Also all the art writers who came to my studio, and exhibitions, interviewed me and published it all in numerous art magazines and publications. The collectors who come to my exhibitions and keep adding more of my art works to their collections.

Website: orna@ornafeinstein.com

Instagram: @ornafeinstein

Linkedin: Orna Feinstein

Facebook: Orna Feinstein

Youtube: Orna Feinstein

Image Credits
Rick Wells – Photographer