Q: How long have you been an artist? Please tell us a little about your chosen medium? Do you do any other creative arts?
A: I started out drawing in painting when I was very young. My mom put me in drawing classes after seeing a potential, and I went to them for years. I started playing with digital illustration and photo-manipulation at the end of high school.
This was before I even picked up a camera. My style developed when I saw that I could manipulate photography digitally, creating surrealistic images. I’ve been working in this technique for more than a decade.
Q: Have you been trained, and if so from what institution? Or are you self-taught?
A: I have a BFA degree in Photography studies from Ryerson University in Toronto. Much of my specific technique was self-taught at first. I worked with other photographers and kept learning from tutorials when I finished school which all informed my work.
Q: You have been featured in Forces of Nature because many of your images depict nature elements, can you tell us a little about why you use them in your art?
A: I have a deep love for traveling and nature. I love being outdoors as much as possible. Whenever I travel to an especially beautiful place, the beauty of it mesmerizes me. I’m inspired by nature’s beauty and how powerful it is. I love seeing how nature pushes through and survives even through so much of our world is conquered by the human presence.
In some of my work, I make the connection between the feminine figure and the natural environment. This takes its roots back to our first god (Mother Nature), whom humans used to worship and respect. At present time, things have taken a turn into a kind of a 180; the natural environment is completely conquered and is being destroyed by our presence. I use the goddess in my images to take her back to her origins and show her as powerful, conquering, and defeating.
Q: Was your family supportive of your artistic endeavors?
A: My family is full of practical people who have brought me to this country (Canada) at a young age for a chance to have better opportunities. I think my parents just want me to be happy and they released me into the world to explore and learn on my own, which I did. I’m grateful to them for not pushing me into a more definitively stable or practical career, because it’s all worked out for the best.
Q: Is there someone special who has encouraged your work and your path as an artist, if yes tell us about this person and how they have influenced your path as an artist?
A: I was always encourages by my teachers along the way which seemed to take a special interest in my work. I think this naturally encouraged me to keep going, keep practicing, and keep getting better. I’m grateful for all my art and photography teachers in my secondary studies as well as throughout university. I think they all contributed to my progress along the way.
Q: What are your hopes and dreams or future goals, where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
A: I want to grow in the direction of global recognition and to be seen as an artist who makes an impact. I want to show my work in museums and acclaimed galleries. I also want my work to be written about by art critiques and the like. I love to keep learning, and then looking back and seeing my improvement.
Q: Tell us your thoughts on the environment and preservation, there are many problems now for the natural environment, endangered species, global climate changes, what concerns you the most and why? As an artist do you feel there is anything you can do?
A: I’ve always had a special place in my heart for nature. Living in a city, I see the impact humans have on it every day. Much of my work has elements of environmental awareness because of this. I’m especially in love with deserts and bodies of water, I think because of nostalgic feelings towards growing up in Israel. I think that as an artist, I can definitely express myself and bring awareness to the natural environment. I hope that my themes and visual language will resonate with the viewers and start a conversation.