What is the best thing that I love about my work?

Arts…It allows me to express all of my vivid imagination in a piece. I can add any shape, any color and that it will be considered a piece of art. As an artist, I have the freedom to create in any style, that I am not limited, that I am not inside a cage, that I have no rules to follow, and no laws I have to follow; all I have to do is add my feelings, and my hands will move in the way it wants. 

My art is not the only thing I enjoy doing. I also like to participate in exhibitions. As a result, my art takes on a different shape, has a different meaning, and I also get to meet new people and socialize with them. Discover new talents and surround yourself with artists like me.

As a result, I’m very proud when an artwork I made is sold and I know that from that day it will warm a house and will be admired every day by people living there and their guests as well.

What is my idea of happiness?

The definition of happiness varies from person to person. Happiness to me is like a puzzle, and if there is a piece missing that prevents me from fully enjoying it. So what’s make me feel happy? 

The first thing that makes me happy is hearing my kids laugh. Another thing that makes me happy is the lack of needs… If you wake up without worrying about whether you have enough money for new clothes, or money for an expensive new technology, it’s because you don’t really need that staff. To me is being prefect happy is to not have worries about economical problems and health problems too. That’s one stage of my life and if I have it made it correctly and then i can think of the other part of happiness, which means to be lucy to be surrounded with good friends a great family. Also a very big piece of my happiness’s puzzles is the trips, where I can exchange cultures, meet new people, discover new things and see different kind of art. 

What is my greatest fear?

As a parent, friend, or partner, I fear that I will be perceived as a bad person in the end. Throughout my life, I have tried to do the best for my family and my greatest fear is to lose them or to be considered wrong… As far as my art career is concerned, I don’t have any fears.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? 

Going back in time and overthinking the past, saying maybe I did it wrong, maybe I said the wrong thing…situations that from one side I know I was right and correct. Are you better off being right and losing a friend after that, than not proving it and remaining friends? 

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

Feliks K   and  Will Harmuth  I’m and in love with their landscapes style. 

The artist Feliks K is very strong for his age, very young and very successful. What I love in him the most that he is not only very talented but he knows also very well how to promote his art, you can see it in the each video he create about his paintings, they are all so different. 

About Will Harmouth I can say that I love a lot the vivid colors he adds in his landscapes… city scape and beachscapes. 

What is my greatest extravagance?

Well i think is the curiosity and languages. I’m very curious to discover the things are going on around me, and this is how i reach to speak well 5 languages and 2 more languages fluently. I feel very attracted to the people that doesn’t talk my language and i always try to make new friends from a different country and try to get into his/her culture, history and language.

On what occasion would I lie?

In case there’s a risk to hurt someone, or to loose.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

That people prefer to buy prints instead of real paintings…. I consider that if you want a real piece of art, you have to purchase something real, to feel the smell of paint, and touch its surface feel the structure, brushes strokes and palette knives texture. 

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I’m always happy when my artworks are appreciated by collectioners and I’m always happy when the collectioner buy the artwork without negotiating the price…this it is shows me that the person really respect me, respect the time I used to create this painting and doesn’t depreciate the piece he/she is going to have in his/her house. 

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I have self-doubt. I have problems believing in what I can do. I tried solving this by constantly doing things impulsively, because I know if I hesitate for a moment, I wouldn’t go through with them. It’s benefited me in many ways, a few times it was a mistake. I refused many times great opportunities just for that reasons of self-doubt…I had the opportunity to teach the kids to create art, I refused it because of thinking I’m not good enough. 

If I can just erase my self-doubt and mentally be one of those “go for it because it’s worth it” type of people all the time, I imagine I would be at a much better place financially.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

Well, I wouldn’t say that I have so many achievements…except those few awards at international Art Contests, I’m also very proud that few of my artworks were published between the top hundred Greek and Cypriots artists. Which helps me to feel connected with the country I live in and not feel so immigrant after all. 

Where would I most like to live? 

At the moment I live in Cyprus for about 15 years here. I love Cyprus a lot, but if one day I would be obligated to move somewhere else, that I will probably choose a tropical country, Somewhere in Asia, Africa or any of Latins country. And of course is going to be because of the nature. 

What is my most treasured possession?

In my case is the talent, because all my works are 70% talent and 30% work, practicing and improving daily. 

What is my most marked characteristic?

A very hard working person. Mine is probably that I’m a big dreamer. Nothing is too hard, all I need to do is work hard and I’ll eventually reach my goal. Nobody can ruin my dreams. At least, that’s what I tell myself and it’s working fine right now!

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? 

I have many favorites’ places for inspiration. Recently I moved to one location, out of the center, and I discovered a new place for me, called Oroclini hill. From the top of this hill, every evening we have amazing sunsets. Such of vivid sky I never seen before, no where. 

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

Well, that depends if we speak about sea food, meat or something else. If we speak about Seafood, than i love Zephiros, is a great tavern where we can eat with all the family, and my kids adore it. If is for meat, then i love Hobos steak house, cause they do amazing steaks… 

What books influenced my life and how?

Well , I haven’t read so many books in my life,  ( not a fact to be proud ) , but one book from the few I had read, made me understand many things that I was searching for answers. The book is called Surrounded by psychopaths written by Thomas Erikson. 

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

I am a fan of all kind of music… but I guess before dying I would prefer to listen my favorites’ folklore music from my country, a song made by Surorile Osoianu and Lupii lui Calancea, called La portita la Gheorgita. And a second song I love a lot is Spring waltz by Chopin. most of the times when I create my art I listen one of these 2 songs… as a inspiration on the background.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

The mentalist

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My husbands parent!  Because they educate him well.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Irreductible (french movie) 

What role play stories in my life and work?

A big role! They help me to create more art, to insert my feelings into an artwork.  Stories bring my creativity to an another level. Of course everything depends on the story, if is sad, then my art will have some sad notes for the future few works, maybe cold colors, maybe your will see a set of frustrations on some of my portraits. If the story has a happy side then everything will be in bright colors, you will feel the happiness in my artworks. 

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

To the be your own storyteller of your own life, means to me somehow… you built your reality around you. You write your plans, you follow them, you become that reality you dreamed of. Now there’s a new trend of social media. You have to be strong story teller to make your blog, or bossiness to work… you must think about the story of each post you will share, or plan what content to share, by doing all that it rest so little time to create the real art! And then we wonder why some of the artists are so famous and some are not… is it the “storytelling issue or is its art fault?

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My husband and my kids. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

Hhhhm not so difficult. I think I would like to join a group exhibition in the gallery “Exhibit 8 Gallery” whenever the gallery will have some group exhibitions. I will do my best to see my art on their walls. 

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I’m planning to start to create something big, to try to create a big series of Spontaneous realism of some public persons i love.

Where can you see me or my work?

On my facebook page JanushCreations  link here (https://www.facebook.com/CEeugeniachicu/) 

On my instagram       janushcreations_original                       ( https://www.instagram.com/janushcreations_original/ )

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Means everything to me. Passion doesn’t have an expire date… in my case Art is in my blood, as long will circulate inside me, so long I will create! 

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? 

I recommend this artist Katerina Parpa, cause I would like to know more about her , too. 

Her Instagram contact  is katerinaparpa_art .