With my work, I hope to communicate the feeling of preserving warmth and hope through creativity and self-expression, despite the feeling of unshakable melancholy. I hope to convey the feeling that as long as there is at least a small spark of creativity and hope alive in me, I could always recover and blossom anew.

Although I have been creating art my entire life, oil paints were a medium that intimidated me. It seemed like there were so many tools, chemicals, brushes, mediums, solvents, and techniques that it felt overwhelming. I didn’t start using oils until the Covid 19 pandemic. As soon as I started painting, I realized that I had been missing out on a very satisfying and rewarding medium. I know I could be a much better painter now if I started years earlier when I had the first inclinations.

I would have been happy to receive at the beginning of my artistic journey the advice to listen more to my inner voice and less to the voices of different people who tried to help me navigate my path forward and influence my choices. During my current state, I believe that it is of great significance for each artist to turn the spotlight on creating art he truly connects with and not let other considerations become disturbing noises. This is of great importance in fueling the artist's passion and maximizing his creative potential.

In my view, it is important for artists to maintain a curated list of galleries, residencies, art prizes, and grants that resonate with their artistic practice. By doing so, artists can align their aspirations and intentions with these opportunities. It is crucial to embrace the application process without being discouraged by the outcome. I think ultimately, the journey of creating art and deepening one's understanding of their own practice is the true essence of artistic pursuit. 

Definitely do your research. There are so many opportunities out there and it’s really easy to spend a lot of money on them if you apply to everything you see without properly checking it out first. For example, take a look at the artists that have been successful previously. If they’re all producing large, modern abstracts and you’re producing miniature drawings, perhaps this isn’t the opportunity for you. Other than being selective about what you put yourself forward for, my main advice would be to believe in yourself. Never hold back from applying because you think you’re not good enough, or that you haven’t got enough experience.

I wish I had realized earlier that my potential is limitless and the biggest obstacle in the way is myself. I learned over time, and am continuing to learn, that I need to get my life in order and not let fear be a ruler over me. If I lack certain knowledge or skills, I can’t pretend they aren’t important to develop or wait around for someone to give them to me. I have to go out, hunt it down, and struggle until they becomes a part of me. 

My journey has been a circuitous one, but it has provided me with a wealth of experiences, spiritual insights, and a heightened desire to create art that connects with others. With each stroke of the brush, I strive to reach the depths of human emotions and touch the souls of those who encounter my work.

Embrace failure, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, and don’t be so hard on yourself.

I think the advice I would give them would be not to give up, maybe it sounds like something very common but in the end life is about not giving up and art is not an exception. There will be difficult moments. Moments in which you will want to abandon everything but you must persist and hold on to your beliefs and what you want to achieve

Understand the ‘why’ for making your art. Not only will it increase your chances, but you will measure your own success by your own rubric, and not someone else’s. So when awards and competitions and residencies do not come, you understand if is not for the sake of them that you make.

Not everyone is cut out to be an artist. It depends on talent and ability. And prepare for a life of poverty. If you decide to go down this path, you must maintain a good attitude and belief.

Introduce yourself to people who are smarter and more talented than you and steal all their secrets. This will save time and you might even make friends. Consult people who you can trust to be honest when critiquing your work. Consuming a lot of art can help you to develop your personal taste, which is just as useful as developing your technique.

Creating art is a highly personal endeavor, and there's no single approach that will work for everyone. While it's important to draw inspiration from other artists, it's equally important to stay true to yourself and your own unique creative vision. Don't try to mimic other artists, instead embrace your own individual style, message, and creative processes.

If I were to give advice to other artists, I’d say have faith in yourself and your vision, and don’t be afraid to put the time in. Creating art takes dedication.

The art world you fall in love with in museums isn’t the one you live in. You’ll have to convince people that what you do is important–it doesn’t come in neatly packaged linear timelines with museum scholarship explaining your contributions. You’ll have to do the best you can to keep making work you think is important, and oftentimes this means making slow, steady progress towards your goals instead of burning out.

We are all at different points in our artistic journey and that is okay. Comparison is the killer of motivation and inspiration. Make time to celebrate your own successes no matter how small they may seem.

 I wanted to show there is quality of life after 90 years of age. My mother enjoyed the funny pages, drinking coffee from porcelain cups, she loved babies, her dog, knitting and sewing. I used the things she loved doing in this series, and I also did some paintings of her more somber moments. 

Speaking from experience, find a space to make work and dedicate as much time as you can to your art practice. While also setting aside some time to really research why you want to make the work and how it can help/affect others. Find your passion and what excites you on a deeper soul level, because chances are that's what your purpose is. Don’t let the opinion of others, including awards, steer you away from your inner calling.

Creativity is a process of exploration and discovery, and it requires a willingness to take risks, to experiment, and to learn from failure. It's also important to seek out inspiration and to engage with other artists and communities, whether through exhibitions, workshops, or online forums. By staying engaged and connected, we can continue to grow and evolve as artists and to make meaningful contributions to the world around us. 

Choose to be successful. Success and failure aren’t things that happen to you, they’re a decision you make when an obstacle is placed in front of you. Stay focused and driven. And remember, not all practice is deliberate practice. Challenge yourself with every work you do, and you will improve. If you aren’t feeling challenged, you’re not getting better.