An Italian artist paints stunning watercolor designs in her sink to make hand-washing more beautiful

Darcy SchildJun 29, 2020, 01:52 IST

Marta Grossi made the act of hand-washing infinitely more fun with her imaginative creations.Marta Grossi

Marta Grossi is an artist and creative director who was quarantined in Milan, Italy, when she found an innovative way to make hand-washing a magical experience.
Grossi was running low on her traditional painting paper, so she started applying watercolors directly to the sink in her bathroom.
She let each of her sink designs fill the sink for 24 hours before rinsing away the colorful art.
Grossi spoke to Insider about how she turned a dreaded appliance into a way to make fleeting but beautiful pieces of art.

Marta Grossi recalled the day she first picked up her watercolor brush at the bathroom sink — it was the first week of lockdown orders in Milan, Italy, which she described as "apocalyptic."

Grossi painted cherry blossoms with watercolors in her bathroom sink. Marta Grossi

Marta Grossi recalled the day she first picked up her watercolor brush at the bathroom sink — it was the first week of lockdown orders in Milan, Italy, which she described as "apocalyptic."

She said at first, the whimsical pops of color made her feel like she was staying at a hotel or using a fancy restaurant bathroom.

A floral design in Grossi's Milan bathroom. Marta Grossi

The sink also became a canvas of sorts for Grossi, who was starting to run out of her small supply of watercolor paper.

An intricate design by Grossi. Marta Grossi

From animals to nature scenes and quotes, Grossi let her imagination soar.

Grossi painted jellyfish in pinks and purples. Marta Grossi

To create her watercolor masterpieces, Grossi wipes the sink so it's completely dry and uses various brush sizes to create detail.

An undersea design from Grossi. Marta Grossi

After admiring her designs for a day, Grossi turns on the faucet and rinses out the sink, then starts fresh with a new creation.

Grossi says her sink designs are an example of temporary art, which, to her, reflects the importance of cherishing life in the moment.

Grossi injected color in a plain white sink. Marta Grossi

At the very least, the unexpected designs have been one way to make constant hand-washing more enjoyable, Grossi said.

Grossi used 3D effects with paint to create lifelike butterflies. Marta Grossi

Grossi's ideas continue to blossom even though she's now left the apartment where she spent months in quarantine.

Grossi used the same watercolor set for all of her designs. Marta Grossi

"It's not only the story of me painting in my sink, but also of everybody who found new ways of living life," said Grossi.

Grossi wrote quotes and messages to inspire and uplift. Marta Grossi

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An Italian artist paints stunning watercolor designs in her sink to make hand-washing more beautiful

Marta Grossi recalled the day she first picked up her watercolor brush at the bathroom sink — it was the first week of lockdown orders in Milan, Italy, which she described as "apocalyptic."

She said at first, the whimsical pops of color made her feel like she was staying at a hotel or using a fancy restaurant bathroom.

The sink also became a canvas of sorts for Grossi, who was starting to run out of her small supply of watercolor paper.

From animals to nature scenes and quotes, Grossi let her imagination soar.

To create her watercolor masterpieces, Grossi wipes the sink so it's completely dry and uses various brush sizes to create detail.

After admiring her designs for a day, Grossi turns on the faucet and rinses out the sink, then starts fresh with a new creation.

Grossi says her sink designs are an example of temporary art, which, to her, reflects the importance of cherishing life in the moment.

At the very least, the unexpected designs have been one way to make constant hand-washing more enjoyable, Grossi said.

Grossi's ideas continue to blossom even though she's now left the apartment where she spent months in quarantine.

"It's not only the story of me painting in my sink, but also of everybody who found new ways of living life," said Grossi.