What role does vulnerability play in your creative process, and how does it influence the outcome of your work?
Vulnerability is at the heart of my creative process, even though in life I tend to guard that side of myself. I’m naturally a stoic person, and showing my vulnerability can be a real internal battle. But it’s within this tension that my creative ideas begin to take shape. By embracing vulnerability, I’m able to dive deeper into the subject matter, often using symbolism to express the underlying emotions or themes within my work. I find myself affected by judgement and injustice, which often drives the subjects that I choose to explore. When something resonates with me on a profound level, I feel compelled to address it through my art. For me, art should carry deep meaning and feeling, and I rely on symbolism to communicate my thoughts and feelings. This connection to vulnerability allows my work to come from an authentic place, creating a powerful link between my inner world and the art that I share.
In what ways does your creative process reflect your personality or worldview? Are there elements of your work that you intentionally infuse with your own beliefs or values?
My art is a true reflection of my personality and worldview. I like to spark meaningful conversations, even around taboo subjects, by embedding the values I hold dear into my work, allowing those dialogues to unfold naturally. For me, creating art is always intentional and never just about aesthetics. It must carry meaning or it’s simply not worth doing. I enjoy layering my pieces with symbolism and allegory, inviting the audience to uncover the deeper emotions and messages within. People often recognize value only when it’s attached to a price tag, so I use this approach to capture attention. However, the true value lies in the subject itself, not just in its price. My “Pearl Royale” chess set exemplifies this. In the design I sought to humanize the characters of chess and highlight the real importance of the game. Chess is a universal, timeless pursuit played by millions of people from diverse cultures, bringing them together in peace and harmony. Through this piece, I wanted to emphasize chess’s role as more than just a game, but a symbol of unity, strategy, and shared human experience. That’s the real value, far beyond the expensive price tag of the artwork itself.
How do you approach capturing emotions in your work? Are there specific techniques or methods you use to convey feelings through your images?
My creative process is rooted in a three-step approach: observe, reflect, and express. This method allows me to fully immerse myself in each piece, ensuring that I bring out the most authentic representation of my ideas. Each phase evokes different emotions. Observation brings awareness, reflection fosters a deeper understanding, and expression allows these feelings to materialize in the final piece. This process not only shapes the evolution of my work, but also keeps it true to the emotions and concepts I seek to convey. My “Treasure the Erotic” collection embodies the powerful emotions tied to our core human experience, sexuality. In this collection, I sought to bring these feelings to life, expressing the depth, variety, and significance of our sensual nature. While each piece carries its own distinct message, the overarching theme is to celebrate and honor the value of our sexuality.
In what ways has your personal growth or life experiences influenced the evolution of your artistic style and themes?
My art is a direct reflection of my personal growth and life experiences. I’ve had the privilege of traveling the world, immersing myself in diverse cultures and practices, all of which have profoundly influenced my work. Early in my career, I started in electroplating and metal finishing, which eventually led me into the fine jewelry world. This experience enabled me to establish my own businesses, creating and selling artistic jewelry pieces in many different countries. Over time, my techniques have evolved, shaped by these varied experiences, and continue to expand as I explore new forms and ideas within my artistic journey. Today, I focus solely on creating art, using the skills and knowledge I’ve developed over the years. These life experiences have become the foundation of my creative process, allowing me to combine high-quality materials with concepts and ideas that are deeply rooted in my personal journey.
How do you recharge your creative energy after a period of burnout or creative block?
I’m really fortunate to have never experienced creative block. In fact, I often have more ideas than I can bring to life. My real challenge now is time. As a late-career artist, I feel a sense of urgency to get my work out there and seen by a wider global audience, one that’s eager to engage and explore my art. Over the past two years, I’ve been working on a new series of contemporary artworks that not only reflect my personal experiences but also delve into issues and events that have impacted the world. I feel this body of work will raise awareness about the injustices I observe and resonate with everyday people who are navigating life, trying to make sense of our shared existence and the complexities of the world around us. I’m excited and looking forward to showcase this new work in a solo exhibition in Los Angeles in 2025.
Can you describe a moment when you felt completely in tune with your creative intuition?
I believe that creating great art hinges on being in tune with your creative intuition. I often find myself in deep thought, which enables me to access that space regularly. A standout moment for me was conceptualizing my “Treasure the Erotic” collection. During that process, I felt completely aligned with my creative instincts as I reflected on my observations and experiences. I had been exploring various concepts of sexuality and human connection, particularly how society can often diminish and degrade sexuality. My overall objective was to elevate sexuality in my work, symbolizing its significance and high value to humanity. Essentially, creating the message to celebrate, not denigrate, our sexuality.
