1. Which qualities of personality help an artist to make art and which hinder?

It helps me to believe that I am doing something important and necessary for myself - for today and for my inner child, to whom I owe everything for the creativity in my life. When I paint, I have a clear sense that I am doing what I am meant to do. Out of this belief comes diligence, patience and a desire to develop.

The doubts that arise in the absence of faith get in the way. They are always linked to the fear of evaluation, of losing financial security. For me, the presence of doubt is the best marker that there is something wrong with my inner state right now. Of course, this has a negative impact on the quantity, and more importantly, the quality, of my work.

'At the moment I am sure that faith is not a condition, but a quality which is exactly what I need in order to make art. I try to nurture it in myself.'

2. What is your favorite pastime besides art?

I really like boxing and running. Both are great for letting off steam, releasing various toxic emotions and thoughts. When I box or run, I rarely have any thoughts running through my head, and I love that.

3. Have you ever had a situation in your life that influenced your art positively/negatively? Or greatly changed your views on what you do?

Probably the first time a person directly connected to the art world bought a work from me. For me it was an important feedback, a signal that I have some commercial potential.


4. Who would you like to talk to of any person who have ever lived or are living now? Why this person in particular?

Probably with Willem de Kooning. I was always amazed at the way he approached the process of creating work. I would ask him how he knew the work was ready, that nothing more needed to be added (I read once that he had difficulty with this, and I have at times, too). 

5. How does your art change the world, the culture, yourself?

I think there is a lot of resentment in my life from wanting to change the world or anyone but myself. That's why I don't consider such a function in my art. I hope that in my paintings someone can consider themselves, learn something about themselves. That's the kind of comments I get, sometimes.

My works can definitely have an impact on people on a sensual level. Sometimes I find that people see something in my work that is emotionally meaningful to them today. Perhaps they can be a point of reflection of some sort. But that's by choice!


6. What do you think about the future of contemporary art?

It seems to me that such areas as performance art will gain momentum. The direct participation of live people (performers) is often important, as is the presence of the viewer in a real place and time. I think this is more important now than ever before.

'I also hope that Instagram* will become a place where artists can meet and become friends, where a kind of community will emerge. I follow a lot of different contemporary artists, I even communicate with some of them, which I'm very thankful for on social media. It's easier now.'

7. What do you think about the ups and downs of NFT? Do you have any NFT projects?

I am happy to admit that it all passed me by. Conceptually it's not close to me, because the living process of creating work is what attracts me to art. Doing something on a computer, selling my work so that it could hang not on the wall, but on the Internet - that's not my thing these days. It also seemed to me, for some reason, that most of the people who did NFT did it when there was money to be made on it and weren't very interested in art in general. At least I got that impression.


8. What is the most valuable thing for you (in the world, in life, in creativity)?

For me, the most valuable thing right now is accepting that the changes that occur in my life often do not depend on me at all. It allows me to focus on what I can still affect, to be helpful where I'm really needed.