Jelena Bibic - Q&A #2

Miami, Florida USA

Discipline

When painting, I have to be very disciplined, to the point of being selfish. One of my biggest frustrations is outside distractions such as mobile, email, and social media. If possible, I turn off my phone and find a quiet, contemplative space to work without distraction. It's doubtful Divinci could have painted the "Mona Lisa" in a place where constant intrusive pings of incoming texts and newsfeeds were monopolising his concentration.

Blank Canvas

A blank canvas can be very intimidating, so I set myself limitations. I look at an initial idea as a map and don't allow myself to get too bogged down in its validity. Artistically I have learnt to trust my instinct and my creative empathy. So won't rush into things. I subconsciously take time to observe, analyse and perceive visually with my so-called artist's eye.

Inspiration

Inspiration has never been a slow burn. It lurks just beneath the surface, between the mythology and reality & usually comes to me when I am on my own. I liken the process to seeing ghosts: the ideas are always there, half-formed but need a meditational mindset to unify jumbled thoughts into something cohesive that perseverance works.

Tortured Artist

For me, the tortured artist's image is "a destructive myth" – is a stock character and real-life stereotype. Yes, History is full of long-suffering creative geniuses. The list is so long, to the extent that it has become customary to see pain as an essential ingredient for art. But being miserable or in mental torment are not necessary ingredients in the creative quest. Personally speaking, I would say I find the opposite to be true.

New Challenges

I like to embrace new challenges. The cross-pollination of ideas and mediums makes for an exciting outcome. I have taken a deep breath and made a leap of faith in the past, and sometimes it has paid off, and other times not. But sun or shine, I have lost nothing and only grown with the experience. Don't be scared by failure, but focus on learning instead.