There will be always place for art in this madness.

Interview with the artist of the week -
Greg Rombel
( http://greg.smyart.com )

When did you start to be interested in art? Why did you choose to draw?

As I remember, I have been always interested in art. However, I started to think about my own art creativity when I met a group of young artists and we organized an art association in my town in 1995. We did plenty of art events and exhibitions, but over all, that was our life style much more than real professionalism. I made a lot of drawings at those time, and also my famous The Tower of Time (1999). A few years later I was suggested to try oil on canvas.

Do you remember your first artwork, what was it like?

My first artwork which made me very proud was a drawing of a yacht with sailors staying on its board, gliding in the air towards a massive swirl. Those artwork has been called The Reminiscences.

What are your favourite topics and why? Is there anything you would not depict?

In my art I try to depict our solitude, pain, hidden fear and phobias. I wish to leave my audience with questions, full of thoughts about our lives. My favourite topics are based on a dark style architecture, abandoned places, alone people.

How education has influenced your creativity and changed your professional way?

My academy education and membership in the art association gave me a lot of inspiration, knowledge and as I would say, deeper conviction to my art creation.

Do you think that nationality has its place in art?

Art has no borders, and that is what I believe for. However, nationality may have its place in art if we are concerned about cultural content, folklore and tradition.

From which authors do you get inspiration?

If I would say about those masters who have inspired me, Zdzislaw Beksinski would be the famous.

What, do you think is the place of visual arts in today's life? Do you think art can influence the public life?

We live at the moment in the world full of disasters, when thousands of people are loosing everything. World of wars, massive genocides, high religion intolerance. This World has been always a wild place to live on, but we need to carry on, like in the show. There will be always place for art in this madness.

Which books are you reading lately?

I love to read historical books, diaries, and poems. I am reading Malcolm's Brown “Tommy Goes to War” at the moment. Very deep, and realistic in its all details history of British WWI soldiers.

Are there any projects you are working on at the moment?

I am working on my new painting, and I did a few sketches. I hope they will find a good audience when finished.

How do you see your future?

I rather try do not think to much about such abstractive things like future. I live basically like my agenda is organized. This could be to imprudent to see some further future in such unpredictable world.

Would you say in one sentence what is the art for you?

Art is my show, show is my art. As long as I live, this show is going on.