Meet Almudena Fernandez Vicens | Printmaker & Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Almudena Fernandez Vicens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Almudena, how do you think about risk?
Growing up, I was naturally cautious and steered my decisions to minimize potential negative outcomes and to minimize the chances of feeling regret This led me away from choices that carried a higher risk. However, as I entered adulthood, I realized that this strategy, while safe, often limited my opportunities for growth and advancement.
I came to understand that risk is not just a potential for loss, but also a doorway to better outcomes. This insight developed over two decades and needed the input by several people close to me but proved to be pivotal. I began to weigh decisions not just by considering how they might go wrong, but also how they could potentially go right.
For example, when my work was starting to sell, I ended up renting a studio nearby, which was a considerable monthly expense for us. I would not have made that decision myself but received so much support that I went for it. The studio was not just a place to work but it created so many connections and exposed me to the field and gave me a place to show my work, along with access to the association’s gallery.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is unique in two ways. One, is based on the use of different materials (such as plaster, gesso, papers, fibers) transforming them and two, my creative process is based on gradually trimming elements in search of the essence of the piece – leading to minimalist expression, achieved by a monochromatic palette and open spaces.
I take pride in my work evolving and improving over the years, while core elements of my artistic process remain, such as the exploration of materials and ideas, which take me to new bodies of work with ever more depth and meaning.
How I got here? I don’t shy away from hard work and keeping a rigorous work routine with long hours in the studio and taking classes to keep improving. But I also am lucky to have a mentor. Further, my membership in a number of art associations has opened opportunities, grown my skills and led to countless professional connections, Also, taking on the commercial aspect of my job has been important, where I took classes in how to price my work, applying to juried shows, dealing with rejection and doing sprints when the opportunity was there.
Overcoming challenges – dealing with rejection by leveraging my support network to not give up and keep going. Balancing requirements of me from my family vs my art career, where I have a hundred good reasons every week not to go to the studio but I go. I had to convince myself with help of others to keeping taking risks, such the monetary outlay.
The lessons along the way are to trust my instincts more, to accept risks as a part of going after opportunities. To not be discouraged when the career path feels quite lonely at times leading to doubts and long term prospects of my work, but to embrace my support network to keep going.
What the world should know – I made my hobby my career, I went after something I was passionate about but was careful to have a path with some likelihood of success. I got there with hard work, making sure all building blocks are there and most obstacles removed so I could make it happen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in the Connecticut suburbs of New York City, we would do a week of exploration along the CT coast line, ending in New York City. The trip starts in New Haven and Yale’s campus and art gallery and its stunning Beinecke Library. New Haven lunch would have to be in Frank Pepe Pizzeria or Sally’s Apizza, or Modern Apizza.
We would certainly visit some of Connecticut’s quaint towns such as Litchfield, New Canaan with a visit to the Glass House and Grace Farms. Along the coastline, there would be a mandatory lunch at Rowayton Sea Food.
Before heading to NYC, we’d stop at the recently renovated and expanded Bruce Museum in Greenwich, take a stroll along Greenwich Avenue and be sure to spend the afternoon at Todd’s Point, an iconic beach spot in Greenwich with sea views and a wonderful natural park. From there, we’d take the Metro North train into Grand Central Station for its majestic architecture, which makes it a landmark. In New York City, I’d be sure not miss the Frick Collection, Noguchi Museum, the Morgan Library & Museum and of course the MoMa. The trip would include a stroll along the High Line to the Meat Packing District.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Natasha Karpinskaia, whose abstract painting and art class first introduced me to printmaking, a discipline that has become one of my core professional strengths. Natasha encouraged me to apply to a prestigious art association and ushered me through the application process – I would not have done that without her impetus. Her mentorship has been crucial in helping me to develop my skills and expand my professional horizons. She has encouraged me for many years to grow my skills, get out of my comfort zones while understanding and leveraging my strengths which make up my visual language

Website: https://www.afvicens.com/

Instagram: @afvicens

Facebook: almudenafernandezvicens

Image Credits
Almudena Fernandez Vicens