Q: How are you inspired to create the powerful and compelling art you are known for?
A: A story. Story always comes first.
It is never for decorative purposes or to simply paint something that is beautiful.
History plays a huge role in my art, as does the physiological behaviour of the human species. When I do research for a project, I always discover interesting facts and stories that relate to me. Stories of power particularly intrigue me and I try to portray this in my paintings which include images that evoke an emotional response from the viewer.
Emotional responses are a very powerful tool, it can change your entire mindset and if I can inspire just one person with my art- I’m on the right path.
Also I always believed that “to tell the story you-must become the story”.
Q: What inspired the post-editing that turns your models into marionette dolls?
A: When I started doing research for my next project, which would become “Shakespeare’s Temple- Out of the Shadows” things were not adding up. We all know of Shakespeare’s ability to play with human emotions in a profoundly eloquent manner. But I discovered more behind the “curtains” through intensive searching. Was he trying to tell us something? I’m not sure, but the marionettes in my paintings represent the characters in his playwrights as puppets of the world.
Q: Do you begin with a theme in mind, or does it emerge while you are working?
Does your inspiration come more from internal or external sources?
A: From the moment a person is born, they are constantly influenced by factors in their external environment. To some degree it’s important to be influenced by others, because it challenges you and inspires you to push yourself and get out of your bubble. As a result, I have a deep desire to understand the current that flows between and connects the external and internal. My work leans towards escapism but at the same time quite a lot of it deals with timeless issues and mind states that remain current. I tend to gravitate towards what’s under the rock, so I would say that most of my inspirations come from within. The unknown pushes me to dive deep into the world of the mysteries of the universe and that involves: astrology, spirituality and religion.
I’d rather see a work that takes me to another place but also shows me another perspective.
I am forever trying to interpret what comes from within onto my paintings. That’s about as honest as I can get. The work has to reflect my mental state at a certain period of time.
Q: Did your family support your art or encourage you? Or was there anyone special in your life who encouraged your talent?
A: My family definitely encouraged my artistic endeavours, if it wasn’t for my mother, I think I would still be working in the hectic fashion industry as a designer. It was an extremely fast based workplace and although I love fashion it wasn’t a place to express my creativity – it was too commercial for me. Creating immersive experiences through art is more important to me and I want to express any ideas through art. Working as a fashion designer didn’t allow me to do this.
Q: Do you need to have the right environment or setting to create your art?
If so, what preparations do you make to prepare the surroundings you work in?
A: Wow, that’s a really great question! I really need the right environment to create.
I do my best when I exclude myself from the world. For me, it’s important to limit my social media and stimulus intake, such as podcasts, news feeds etc. I make sure to give myself long periods of thoughts about the piece I’m composing, it also helps when I’m thinking of new ideas.. It’s always a great plan to document your ideas, either with writing, drawing or moquettes. If the right thought for a painting doesn’t come to me immediately, I’ll file the image away and return to it later. In general, silence is what helps me discover what I want to create but don’t get me wrong my mind is always chaotic.
Q: Are you inspired by films or music? If so what in particular do you love?
A: I love both film and music. I’m working on a short film about my journey as an artist and the struggles I’ve had to overcome. I think I push myself to the limit sometimes just to get the achieved results and it hasn’t always been easy so I wanted to show this in a creative film. I’ve had to teach myself filmmaking just to bring forth these ideas. I’m sure most artists will relate to this film.
Q: As an artist, what do you feel indicates success? Is it financial, or a good
review, the inclusion in exhibitions, a solo show, publication? Does the bar continue to rise?
Or do you feel that success is more internal, confidence in your craft, a degree of self-satisfaction?
A: I think the ability to express ideas and manifest them into reality successfully surpasses any material success. The ability to immerse myself in my passion everyday is truly fulfilling. If you create something out of love for the creation itself, you will be happy regardless. At the same time, it’s important to have your art in exhibitions and publications to be successful as artist of course because attaining financial success is what makes the world go round, right?
A: If you had the power to change the world, to create a new beginning, what would it be, what would you change?
Q: If you had the power to change the world, to create a new beginning, what would it be, what would you change?
A: I would suggest this: free thinking leads to a better understanding of the world which will help to make our world a better place.
Q: What advice do you have for young artists just starting out?
A:Struggle and challenge is where true artists thrive. Challenge yourself, continually surpass your expectations, experiment like a mad scientist, constantly study the great artists that inspire you with a magnifying glass. Unprecedented positive change is only a result after a great disaster. So if you continue long enough and stay patient even after several failures and practice religiously, results will eventually start to show. I only succeed a little bit, because I fail many more times. If there is anything more obvious of human wisdom over our entire history, we seem only to learn from our mistakes the most.
Q: If you could have a conversation with anyone from our past, any era, who would it be and why?
A: It would be a tie between Isaac Newton and Beethoven. But if I had to pick only one I think it would be Issaac Newton. This was an intensely mysterious man with a secret world of his own that we know little about. He invented a new branch of math called calculus, figured out the composition of light, and gave us the laws of gravity and motion of the universe. I would want to know more about his private thoughts, what his real intentions were, and why he preferred to be alone most of his life. It seemed that he was completely obsessed with religion and was devoted to the occult. These are the exact themes that have always fascinated me.
I would probably ask him a million questions about his secret life but knowing his character it would bother him so the next best bet would be just to observe him at work- that is if he allowed me to do so.
Website: cirius-s.com
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