The journey through life brings us to unexpected halts where we find ourselves at new junctures which are overwhelming. It is in those uncertain moments do we pause and reflect, and little do we realize that in the darkness we have created light which ignites the soul and awakens our deepest dreams, plans and ideas? Rudy Von Kronstadt is one such talented Romanian Artist who created magic from absolutely nothing. He is a visual explorer who is not limited to one form of art or medium. On his interview, Rudy, speaks of his love for art, his passions and plans for the future. Let us find out more about his adventures through Art!

How long have you been painting and who are your greatest influencers?

I have been painting since I was 15 years old. I am now 37 years old, so I have been creating art for the past 21 years. My family moved cities when I was young, and I had to leave my friends behind. We had quite a large apartment and as I had no acquaintances I began to paint, to let out my boredom and fill my loneliness. The canvas was the blank walls. It is then that I realized I could draw or create. My mum is a painter and my grandfather made sculptures, so I believe I have inherited some of their genes J.

Did you have a formal education on art and painting or are you self-taught?

I am a make of both, I self-taught myself for about 10 years and have formal education of 5 years from Slovenia and Bucharest.

Do you have a particular style? How did you become so passionate of this style?

I have 4 to 5 different styles of painting. Abstract, concrete, and Archetypal expressionism to name a few. I will elaborate on one of my styles, which is Archetypal Expressionism. It's a paradigm developed by the painter and writer Constantin Severin, a well-known Romanian artist. Archetypal expressionism refers to a kind of art situated between abstract and realist art. It is the art of symbols, folk art, cave inspired painting, shamanic art. I prefer not to be identified by the style of Art.

What are your other passions other than art? How have they contributed for you to become the artist you are today?

I am an avid reader, my passions are to learn psychology, paganism, Alchemy to name a few. I also watch movies. I must note that I do not have hobbies. I only have passions! J. All these elements have helped me to become who I am today. I recreate what I read and watch through and read through art so that I understand what I have learnt. Some people do art to understand the world, some to express a thought or a message. It is a beautiful medium of expression!

Could you walk us through your process? Percentage wise, how much time do you spend preparing for the painting and how much time on the actual painting itself? Is preparation an important part of your process?

Well, if we take abstract art, it is very spontaneous. If I am engaged in a different style such as expressionism, then I have to prepare the medium, the paint etc. If It is an installation, then I need to prepare the required apparatus. So yes depending on the style, preparation is vital. I paint at a stretch for about 12 hours, until all my ideas are brought to life. And then I might be silent for about 2 months, during which I replenish my mind. It is an amazing journey.

Are you engaged in new artistic adventures? How is an artistic exploration important to you as an artist and to your process? How do you then decide what to incorporate into your style and what to leave as pure fun?

Yes, I am always looking for new adventures. After the Christmas Holidays I will be trying out shamanic sculptures. It's absolutely important to try out different styles of art as I learn and develop my skills. I am able to create 2 different paintings using 2 styles in a day which I believe is a skill one must learn. I need to be psychologically prepared to shift from one form to another.

Was there a particular moment where you could tell that your skills had just crossed over in to being an exceptionally good painter instead of a rather good painter? What did you do to make that leap?

Once I graduated college after studying Art for almost 7 years, I realized that painting, understanding techniques, choosing colors became easier. I gradually developed on those to become what I am today. I think the formal education helped me build myself.

How do you push yourself? Do you set goals for yourself? And if so, what are those goals? Do you think setting goals is important for an artist in his/her artistic journey? If so why?

For me, I always think I am going to end up great. That is my goal and all what I work on now is to reach that. Without one, I will have no purpose of waking up in the morning. I know I am talented, and It is my choice if I want to just let it be or make something out of what I possess. I strive to perfect my styles so that my Art will be visible on the art market, to display my creations at Art Galleries, Museums. I think one cannot be a professional artist without goals!

How is your experience working with Aartzy? Do you think it is a useful platform for artists?

Janaka, the Director is a good friend. He is very accommodating and helpful. My paintings are on the Aartzy platform since April and I believe it gives Artists like me a good exposure. I look forward to a more fruitful future for both myself and Aartzy.

Rudy's exclusive collection can be found at https://www.aartzy.com/artist/rudy-von-kronstadt