Art is a language spoken by the heart. For an artist whose roots delve deep into the rich culture and traditions of Greece, creativity becomes not only a means of self-expression but also a bridge between the past and the present. In this interview, we delve into the world of portrait painting, exploring how Greek heritage and contemporary trends shape a unique style and approach to art.
How does Greek culture and tradition influence your creativity and choice of themes for your work?
My Greek heritage has a profound impact on my art. I draw inspiration from the world around me—the beauty, the people, and the scents of this wonderful country, Greece. The traditions and mythology I absorbed from childhood permeate my work, adding depth and meaning. The architecture of ancient temples, the vibrant colors of nature, and Greece's rich history are reflected in my paintings. I strive to convey not only the visual beauty but also the spirit of Greek culture, its philosophy, and values, which shape my worldview and creative process.
What attracts you to creating portraits and what emotions do you seek to convey through them? How do you approach the process of creating a portrait, from the idea to the final touches?
Beauty, the expression of every face, the gaze — these are some of the characteristics that attract me to create portraits. Each face must have something unique that “clicks” with me, making me want to create its portrait and convey the emotions that the person is experiencing at that specific moment, whether it is joy, sadness, or anxiety. I enjoy working from photographs, ensuring I have obtained written permission from the person I want to portray. Once I photograph them, I begin working on their portrait. I start with the sketch and gradually add color, tones, lights, and shadows. Finally, I include the details. My goal is to make the work as realistic as possible.
What moments in your career do you find most meaningful and why?
Some of the most significant moments in my career include being awarded in New York in June 2022 as an artist for my portraits and my pebble creations. This was an extraordinary and rare event, truly unbelievable. Another pivotal moment in my career was in January 2024 when I won first place and the top prize in the Portrait category of the international GoldenTime Talent competition with my work Joyful Smile. This award is very significant for any artist because this international competition was extremely challenging, and I never expected that my work would win first place and the top prize.
How has participating in international exhibitions and competitions influenced your art and career?
Certainly, participating in international exhibitions and competitions helps you gain more experience as an artist. You see and learn new things, becoming more open to different ideas. The experiences I’ve had through the international exhibitions and competitions I’ve participated in, as well as the places I’ve visited as an artist, have helped me strive to improve every time, becoming better as an artist and more open-minded and receptive to new ideas about art.
What contemporary trends in art inspire or interest you?
I’m interested in digital painting. I’ve started taking some lessons, but I haven’t completed them yet. I believe digital painting is very intriguing, and I’ve always wanted to explore it.
How do you use light and shadows in your work to emphasize the character and emotions of the model?
For me, everything in painting revolves around light and shadow. I always work on my pieces using photographs I’ve taken myself. I pay special attention to light and shadow, examining every detail in the photograph to accurately and realistically render the light and shadow.
Do you have a favorite portrait you have created and what makes it special to you?
One of my favorite portraits is The Boy from Aswan. This work, created with graphite pencil, depicts a real boy from Aswan, Egypt. It holds a special place in my heart because it was my first portrait.
How do you see your art developing in the future, and are there any new directions you would like to explore?
I believe that in a few years, I will be even better as an artist. My technique continuously improves with persistent work, and my pieces are becoming more and more realistic. I would like to explore digital painting further. I find it fascinating and have seen exceptional and highly realistic digital works by various artists. I would also like to try this, without, of course, losing touch with the traditional materials I currently use as a painter. The feeling of paper, the variety of materials in painting, the colors, and the entire creative process of making a piece are irreplaceable and cannot be compared to digital painting in any way.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to excel in portraiture?
Advice for aspiring portrait artists: I would tell them to be authentic, to love the process of creating a piece — especially a portrait — and to pay attention to every detail. Every person is unique, and the features of each individual are one-of-a-kind. I would also emphasize that the portrait must closely resemble the person for whom it is being created, not just a vague resemblance. This is why even the smallest detail matters. The process of creating a realistic portrait is complex and requires time to accurately capture a person’s features and expressiveness. Only then can we say with confidence that the portrait closely resembles the person it represents.
What projects or ideas are you planning to realize in the near future?
Future plans: In the near future, I plan to create a portrait of a very dear person who is no longer alive—a person I deeply miss: my beloved mother.
