What inspired you to be an artist? “When I was eight or nine years old, I used to visit a local children’s studio where kids were supposed to study the basics of classical drawing. But the teacher thought that I was gifted, so rather than drawing still-lifes and landscapes, I was allowed to draw UFOs, dinosaur battles, monster flowers, aliens, spiders, and tripods from War of the Worlds (pictured) burning down buildings. I also was allowed to draw with my hands and to use any materials I wanted. I already considered myself an artist by that time, but it was very inspiring and maybe that experience helped me to choose my way.”