How did you start with art?
When I was a kid, in 1968, there were some illustrated western magazines, with cowboys and horse-drawn carriages. Hanging out with an older kid in elementary school, we would draw together the cowboys we saw and other subjects that our teacher asked us.
So at some point I had painted a carriage with horses and it was noticed by a priest who had a painting workshop in Thessaloniki. He, as soon as he saw it, decided to talk to my father and ask him to take me with him to teach me hagiography. He believed that I would become a great painter.
So, when I went to Thessaloniki, I started hagiography lessons and at the same time I started to deal with painting, copying the works of great painters that I saw in various art books.
In many of my works, I choose the natural landscape, as it gives me a feeling that cannot be described in words
What artists or movements have had an impact on you?
Mainly, I was influenced by some great realist artists, as they had a good knowledge of design and color. I was also quite influenced by the expressionists, who made their appearance in the 19th century.
These artists left the painting workshops, took their easels and paints and started creating works outside in nature. From there I got the flame and the passion to go out into the outdoors and paint people's lives.
What themes come up in your art and do the memories and personal experiences reflect?
Great experience, almost fifty years, has been given to me by my personal work, which is dealing with Byzantine art and the decoration of holy temples.
Some of the subjects or my works are the old mansions of my city, through which the history of another era that has been lost is presented. Also, in many of my works, I choose the natural landscape, as it gives me a feeling that cannot be described in words.
The material and color of a work are of great importance, as they can convey the feelings of the artist
What is the significance of material and color?
The material and color of a work are of great importance, as they can convey the feelings of the artist. When I paint old buildings I use acrylic paints and when I do works related to still life I use oils and acrylics.
Who or what are some of your artistic inspirations?
My artistic inspiration is the natural landscape. When I start painting from nature, I feel like I become a part of nature and I am filled with joy and fulfillment.
Also, the history of a place makes me curious about the habits or people from another era that are lost in time.
What are you working on right now and what is next?
At the moment, I am dealing with works of art that have as their subjects old professions that have disappeared or are about to disappear over time. Afterwards, I will deal more with portraits of famous people or everyday people.
What is your favorite art accident?
Recently, I wanted to create for a fine art exhibition of work about the eradication of Greek people in 1922. While creating the project, I drew something other than what I ultimately wanted to do.
I call this a happy accident of art.
What do you consider the role of an artist today?
In the past, the role of the artist was simply to carry out various commissions with ecclesiastical or other subjects that were requested of him.
Today, the artist captures in his works his own experiences as well as his personal opinion on current events and various social issues.
