“My life is a dream, but somehow I am awake for it.”
Do you have a favorite artist yourself?
Yes, I have many, a few of which include Eugene Delacroix, Camillle Pissarro, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco, Monet, Chuck Close, Banksy, and Jenny Saville.
Are you ever afraid you will run out of inspiration and creativity in your job?
I have never thought about it. I think the only way that could happen is when I am dead. But I still feel that after I have perished I will still be inspired, still have thoughts, still be thinking about my next project in my next life. This has never been a fear of mine.
What is the most difficult thing in your job?
The biggest problem for me right now has been communication and language. My English is very bad. That is why I have had a translator help me with this interview. I am currently studying English at a school in Manhattan, but this communication barrier has not impeded my ability as an artist. As long as my eyes and hands are in good health, I will be painting.
What is the most fun part of your job?
The moment right before creation, the feeling I get when the ideas are flowing and everything is making sense: this feeling is inexplicable.
Do you expect your way of creating artwork to change in the future?
My work is, and always will be, in a constant state of change. My work adapts as the world around me adapts. This is why I am constantly experimenting with different materials and new styles.
Do you embrace the changes in the art industry regarding social media and technology influences?
When I started painting, technology was not a factor. You had to go to museums and galleries to see works; you couldn’t just hop on the internet to view works online. I do embrace this age of media and technology, however, because it gives opportunity for a wider range of people to view artists’ works worldwide.
Do you like art? Do you have any preferences for an artist? And/or for creators of artistic work?
Do I like art? Of course! It is my life! Aside from the artists I have mentioned, those that have inspired me in this category include photographer Tina Modotti; sculptor, painter, and graphic designer Vicente Rojo; businessman Mikhail Khodorovsky (before his arrest in 2005, of course); and cinematographer Luis Buñuel.
If so, why is that? What special qualities do you like in their works or personalities?
I admire their visions, ambitions and their wills to succeed in their respective fields.
Could we feature your favorite artist, author, designer, architect, filmmaker, etc. in our magazine and/or online?
Absolutely. I don’t have a problem with that.
In which way do you think art and design are different and/or similar?
It all depends on the type of the design and the type of art. This can be confusing, however, because I always felt that I design art. I think the differences and similarities are more obvious when the product is accepted by the consumer rather than in its stages of production. In both cases, art and design have much to do with liberal expression and not caring whether or not the product is accepted, but this can be difficult as it depends on what you are creating, for whom, and for what purpose.