Some artists chase a brand. Others quietly paint until the work itself runs out of wall space — and that's when something bigger begins. That's the origin story of Blancanvasart Studio, founded by Mariam Zatikyan, an LA-based Armenian artist whose original paintings, fine art prints, and journals all start with the same impulse: an experience, a feeling, a memory worth holding onto.
We sat down with Mariam to talk about how a personal creative outlet became a body of work, why she expanded from canvas into prints and journals, and the painting a stranger reached out about that became part of someone else's story.
Q&A with Mariam Zatikyan, Founder of Blancanvasart Studio
I started painting simply because I loved it. Every piece was tied to an experience, a memory, or a feeling I wanted to capture. Before I knew it, I was running out of space.
That was the moment Blancanvasart Studio began. I realized my artwork wasn't meant to stay hidden in my home — it was meant to be shared. What started as a personal creative outlet became a way to connect with others through stories, emotions, and experiences. Today, whether it's an original painting, a print, or a journal featuring my artwork, the goal is the same: to create something that makes people feel seen and reminds them of their own story.
Art piece featured above, "Nran" by Blancanvasart Studio, Mariam Zatikyan
Every painting starts with an experience, emotion, or idea I want to explore. Sometimes I know exactly what I want to paint, and other times I simply start with a color palette, a mood, or a feeling, and let the piece reveal itself as I go.
Once I begin, I work intuitively. I build layers, create texture, paint over sections, and constantly make adjustments. The process is rarely linear, and I don't always know where a painting is going when I start.
The part nobody sees is how much time is spent experimenting, questioning, and changing direction. Many of my favorite pieces have gone through several versions before becoming what they are. What people see as a finished painting is often the result of trusting the process and allowing the work to evolve on its own.
Original paintings are incredibly special, but I wanted my artwork to have a life beyond a single canvas. Turning my paintings into prints and journals allows the work to be experienced in different ways and become part of someone's everyday life.
Since every painting I create is connected to an experience or feeling, journals felt like a natural extension of my work. The journals are especially meaningful to me because they combine art and storytelling.
Someone may be drawn to the artwork on the cover, but what they choose to fill the pages with becomes part of the story too. I also love that they make thoughtful gifts.
One of the pieces I'm most proud of is Big Red Jeep. A writer reached out to me after discovering my work and asked if I would create a painting inspired by a chapter they had written. After reading the chapter, I created a piece that captured the story and emotions as I experienced them through the author's words.
That experience was incredibly validating because it showed me that my art could extend beyond the canvas and become part of someone else's storytelling.
Art piece featured above, "Seen" by Blancanvasart Studio, Mariam Zatikyan
About the Artist
Mariam Zatikyan is the artist behind Blancanvasart Studio, a collection of original artwork, fine art prints, and journals inspired by emotion, storytelling, and human connection. Her work explores themes of solitude, identity, resilience, and reflection, inviting viewers to find their own experiences within each piece. Based in Los Angeles, she creates art that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
How to Connect with Blancanvasart Studio
Find Blancanvasart Studio on the SupportArmenian directory, or reach Mariam directly:
📞 Phone: (818) 351-9739
✉️ Email: blancanvasartstudio@gmail.com
🌐 Website: blancanvasartstudio.com
Instagram: @blancanvasart
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🎨 Original paintings, fine art prints & journals
