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WHY I PAINT

I paint because there is no other language that speaks so directly from within. Painting is not my way of representing the world; it is how I step into it. I am not interested in fixed forms or clear narratives. I am drawn to what lies between: emotion, memory, tension.

I work with color because it resists control. It moves, collides, blends, and disappears—just like thoughts, like time, like sensation. When I paint, I enter a state of presence. There is no plan, no script, only the encounter between material and surface. What matters is not the subject itself, but how it dissolves into the act of making. Color becomes space. Line becomes rhythm. Surface becomes experience.

My paintings are built in layers. Each one holds a fragment of the moment, like a still held in memory. These are not illustrations, but traces of perception...accumulated, overlapping impressions that capture the movement of thought and feeling across time. I do not try to explain what they are. I let them remain open, unresolved, alive.

I paint to search for freedom. Not to follow rules, but to break them. The act of painting is not about perfection or clarity. It is about listening inward, responding honestly, and trusting the unknown. I do not need a reason to paint. I need the space, the color, and the permission to let go.

I paint because it is the most truthful way I have to be in the world.

Discover the entire 'Mixed Feelings' collection here.

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MIXED FEELINGS

The 'Mixed Feelings' series by Ivan Gette captures the full range of emotions that define his art. This collection blends calm and chaos, order and disorder, reflecting the unpredictable process Gette calls "Abstract Nihilism." Each artwork in the series features broken shapes and bold colors, creating a sense of tension and contrast. 'Mixed Feelings' is more than just visual; it’s a look into Gette’s inner world, expressing the emotions and stories that shape his unique style. Through this series, Gette turns his complex experiences into art, inviting viewers to connect with the feelings behind his work.

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“Ivan Gette, artist and founder of Notagallery, is known for pushing boundaries and initiating new artistic dialogues.”