Students attending our recent Reach Higher lunchtime talk were treated to an engaging and hands-on exploration of creativity with local abstract artist Ginte Zacharini.
Ginte creates atmospheric abstract landscapes that evoke calm and tranquillity, alongside handmade ceramic vessels inspired by organic forms in nature. During her talk, Making, Messing, and Mastering: My Artist Way, she shared how her personal style developed over time, as well as how experimentation, persistence, and self-discovery sit at the heart of her creative practice.
After moving to the UK from Lithuania, Ginte encountered an art teacher whose abstract landscapes sparked her curiosity. What began as experimentation gradually evolved into a style of art that both suited her taste and appealed to people looking to buy her work. Bringing both older works and unfinished pieces, she gave students a rare glimpse into how her paintings develop from early ideas to resolved compositions.
Central to her process is what she describes as a “recipe” for building a painting. She explained that each work combines five to ten core elements — including horizon lines, mark-making, tonal contrasts, and abstracted shapes suggesting clouds, trees, or landforms. Students followed along on paper as she demonstrated how simple marks and shapes can be layered to create rhythm, depth, and atmosphere.
Ginte discussed how the same forms can be translated using paint, pen, tissue paper, wallpaper, and even nail varnish, each producing distinctive textures and effects. She encouraged students to explore widely in order to discover their own “signature mark-making style” – the visual language that makes an artist recognisable.
Ginte also discussed her transition from acrylics to oils, explaining how oils allow greater blending and luminosity, particularly in the subtle shifts of light within her skies. Her reflections offered students insight into how material choices shape both technique and mood.
The session then turned to her ceramic practice. Students were fascinated by her tactile, nature-inspired vases and enjoyed handling examples at different stages of completion. Ginte explained the journey from a simple pinch pot to an evolved sculptural form, describing clay types, drying and firing processes, and glazing techniques that transform a porous matte surface into a glossy, finished piece.
In the final part of the talk, Ginte spoke about the commercial realities of working as an artist. She emphasised the importance of finding a balance between personal expression and what audiences are drawn to, as well as understanding pricing, marketing, competition, and the role of social media in reaching buyers. Her practical insights helped students see art not only as a means of expression, but also as a viable professional pathway.
Her visit perfectly embodied the aims of the Reach Higher programme — encouraging students to explore, take creative risks, and recognise that artistic identity develops through practice, reflection, and persistence over time.
We are very grateful to Ginte for sharing her process and for giving students a thoughtful and inspiring insight into life as a practising artist.
Article written by Mr Lax, Head of Art & Photography