FAQs
What advice would you give to an aspiring artist who hasn’t had any publications or art shows?
If you are a writer, I recommend that you read as much as possible. If you are a visual artist, I recommend that you express how you feel through colors. Be decisive in determining whether you like, or don’t like, a work of art. Stay physically active (go for daily walks and exercise regularly). Don’t be afraid to disregard what you have made if you end up not liking the final result. You must always fail before you succeed, but practicing and trying will always get you closer to a final result you’ll be pleased with, so never give up, no matter what.
When did you decide that you wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been an artist all my life. I grew up around fine art paintings, was read to, and was affirmed that all tales are very special, emphasizing the communal sense and beauty in sharing them and staying connected. So, being an artist to me is as normal as taking a breath. I never thought, “I want to be an artist.” I just am and have always been.
Who is the author and/or artist who has inspired you the most?
Dante Alighieri and Gustave Doré.
How do you know what to write or paint? Where do your ideas come from?
I follow my intuition. I don’t know where my ideas come from, but I am bombarded with ideas daily, so I never question what I should write or paint next.
What compels you to write or paint?
It’s basically a necessity for me. Out of nowhere, ideas come to me with very specific imagery. If I don’t paint these or write about them, the same ideas continue to surface in my mind day after day, as if they are haunting me, urging me to bring them to life through art. If I don’t write or paint, I am bothered by these ideas and images that will not go away until I make the art that represents them. I have at times resisted my intuition for weeks, and the mental imagery doesn’t go away unless I express it through art. So, making art for me is literally therapeutic, allowing me to express all the things that occur in my imagination, letting me have peace of mind.
Do you know where you’re headed when you’re making art?
I do. I plot and sketch in detail, so I know 90% of what the final result will be before I make it, but there is always that 10% of the work that flourishes naturally that I can’t anticipate.
What do you like to do when you’re not making art?
I love to go out and have dinner with the love of my life.
Can good art be made without emotion?
No, emotion is at the root of all good art.
What work of art or story are you most proud of today?
I would have to say The Silver House series, because I started writing it when I was 11 years old at one of the worst points in my life, and it anchored my mind in knowing that no matter how bad life gets, it can always get better by going back to The Silver House series. So, all of my Silver House writings and artworks are like places I built in my imagination to find refuge and heal.
Should art be relatable?
I think we shouldn’t place art in a box.
How important are creative writing and art education for the everyday person?
Extremely. A lot of psychological issues that everyday people experience can be remedied with art. Also, art is vital in developing sympathy and empathy, both of which are crucial for a functioning civil society.
Considering the current political situation in the country, are you hopeful about the future?
Yes, there is always hope. So long as we have an opportunity to express ourselves and vote, there is an opportunity for things to get better. The day we cannot vote is the day hope dies. In that case, one would have to escape to where there is hope or find a way to re-establish the ability to vote.