Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546491
1. What's been the most defining mo- ment in your career so far It was the realisation that my success depended not on what others wanted, but on what I wanted to do. That was a game-changer. When you do what you enjoy, things come naturally and opportunities happen organically. You meet people who are on the same wavelength as you which makes the process more enjoyable and easier. 2. As an artist, how do you navigate the world and speed of social media? Social media is a very handy tool for my art. It's a free platform for my work and a good way of communicating with oth- ers and keeping up to date with trends and other artists. However, I don't rely entirely on it, as, over time, I have built a network of clients through other av- enues where I have direct contact with them. I post on my socials when I feel like it or when I have something I actu- ally want to put out there. I don't feel compelled to keep up with algorithms, even though I know it would give me much more exposure. There are times when I need my privacy. Social media exposes you to everyone, which some- times makes me feel uncomfortable. 3. Do you consider artificial intelli- gence a threat to your career, or an opportunity? AI is another amazing tool which I find myself using more frequently. Like any other new discovery, it will over- ride some skills, however I don't feel it is a threat to my career. These last few years I have felt an overwhelming need to go back to doing things by hand. Having worked digitally for so long, I felt a strong urge to return to traditional methods. I use AI to do tasks which I find tedious and which take time away from my creativity. With an ever-increasing growth in AI-generat- ed images, I think people will have a deeper appreciation for hand-made/ human-made art. Rather than reject innovation, I prefer to embrace it and use it to my own advantage. 4. How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during tough times or when the work feels hard? The tough times have often heightened my creativity. Working as a freelance artist has been a journey of resilience and self-discovery. Financially, it has been an uphill struggle most of the time. The system is not designed for artists. With that in mind, I strive to think creatively and find ways of gen- erating an income through my talents while also doing what I love. Also, when I am held accountable for seeing a project through to completion, it spurs me on even if there are moments when I really don't feel like working on it. I accept the fact that it cannot always be easy or plain-sailing. Sometimes being pushed out of my comfort-zone provides me with massive growth- spurts and it opens up opportunities I would never have envisaged. 5. How do you balance your creative instincts with the expectations of your audience or collaborators? When I started out as a freelancer, I would take on jobs I knew I would hate because I needed to pay the bills, how- ever, I reached a point where I made a conscious effort to avoid doing this, and it started to pay off. These days, before accepting any commission I ask myself: a. Will I enjoy it? b. Do I like the people I will be working with, if any? c. Will it be worth my while financially? And d. Do I have enough time and ener- gy to see it through to completion? Experience and instinct have helped me navigate the abstractness of it all. There are times when I lack inspiration, so I just take a step back and wait for it to return, while focusing on other aspects of my life. I always strive to do what I enjoy. Most of the time it is well-received, other times it is not. But that is the nature of the beast. Being an artist is an ongoing evolution and I embrace that. 6. How do you approach a new pro- ject? Do you have a specific process or routine you follow? I make a distinction between commis- sioned work and spontaneous art. I am more structured when it comes to commissioned work, and I tend to use the same formula. Being organized and adhering to a structure helps me stay focused and makes for a better result all round. It ensures that I deliver on time, avoids me being out of pocket, and ensures client satisfaction which, in turn, establishes a good working reputation. When it comes to spontaneous crea- tivity, I allow myself the freedom to go with my instincts and create what I feel inclined to at the time. It gives me the space to experiment and explore new skills and possibilities. The results can sometimes surprise me or frustrate me. However, it is a process that paves the way for new things. It is a vital aspect of my art career as it leaves me room to evolve. 7. Can you let us in on some of the future projects, works? I have recently made some changes to my lifestyle. This last year I have strug- gled to stay in my studio and have felt a huge pull towards painting en plein air. It has made my style much more fluid and spontaneous. As a person who thrives on change, I like this evolution. I am in a time of discovery and ex- perimentation with no concrete plans ahead. I will be designing costumes for a number of theatre productions in the coming season which is always mental- ly stimulating and keeps me grounded. Since I spend a lot of time in my own head, it's healthy to interact with peo- ple and also collaborate and learn from other creatives. I will also be performing in a four-hand- er play in Malta in February 2027. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 SEPTEMBER 2026 Art MSA Members' annual exhibition to open at the Malta Society of Arts ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON BY LAURA CALLEJA suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt The Q & A ISABEL WARRINGTON 7 questions for... Extra round Who are your biggest influences, and how have they shaped your work? The theatre has been a huge source of inspiration for most of my life. These days I draw much of my inspiration from nature, travel and observing people and activities. I am a painter, a crafter, a designer and an actor. My career as an actor, spans four decades, having performed mostly for the stage in comedy, drama and musicals. In tandem with acting, I worked as a graphic designer, starting out in the publishing industry and eventually going freelance and working on diverse projects. In the last decade I have been drawn to creating with my hands and have focused mostly on painting, designing costumes for the stage, exploring textile art and other traditional skills. In 2003 I had my third solo exhibition after a hiatus of 20 years. 2024 saw the launch of my fourth solo and I am currently preparing for my next solo exhibition which should be in 2027 Theatre The Maids opens this October with post-show discussion led by director, and interest groups PAGE 2 PAGE 3 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta