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1. What's been the most defining moment in your career so far? My most defining moment was in 2020. For years, the pace of my freelance design work was stressful and, between work and other commitments, I was left with little time for anything else. I have always found that for me, painting requires a specific span of time; focus and planning that I simply couldn't find before. When the pandemic drastically slowed my design work, rather than giving in to uncertainty, my husband encouraged me to pick up my brushes again after a long hiatus. These past few years have been a consolidation of my creative identity and with that shared support, I haven't looked back. 2. As an artist, how do you navigate the world and speed of social media? To be honest, I find social media's pace quite challenging to keep up with, so I truly admire those who can balance a constant online presence with their craft. Social media has certainly become a core part of contem- porary artists' lives. I have tried to be more consistent with posting in the past. I'm not resisting it, but at this point in time, it simply doesn't align with my natural workflow. I use it as a fantastic tool for connecting with family, friends, fellow art lovers globally, and for keeping my eyes on the times. While I may not be active every day, I prefer to share work when it feels right, hoping that when I do post, it truly resonates with those who see it. 3. Do you consider artificial intelligence a threat to your career, or an opportunity? In reality, creators have been using AI-assisted technology long before the sudden surge of recent years. Just look at photography software and the general digital world. In terms of artworks, as long as it doesn't infringe on copyright, I don't think it takes away from the value of a real, physical painting. It might also make people want authentic pieces even more now that AI is everywhere. I know it might sound a bit controversial coming from a traditional artist, but artists can collaborate with AI in so many forms, and I find it fascinating to see how these can be combined. I like living in times where everyone is given the tools to materialise their ideas. It's an amazing tool for expanding an artist's vision as long as it's done with honesty and not for the easy cash. To me, having more people able to bring their visions to life only adds to the beauty of the world. It's just a different way of being a creator; a new type of visual art can just add to beauty, not a detriment to another. My big worries about AI have little to do with art. 4. How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during tough times or when the work feels hard? Life often makes it difficult to stay motivated and inspired. There are times when tragedy, or difficult physical and emotional phases, can freeze the creative process, making the work feel impossible. Personally, in those moments, rather than forcing a painting, it becomes about respecting that silence and allowing creativity to reset naturally. Motivation then comes from being open to a support system and eventually, finding inspiration in the very experiences that once left you frozen. 5. How do you balance your creative instincts with the expectations of your audience or collaborators? In my art, I don't need to guess what people want to see, as I had to do with graphic de- sign work. I am free to experiment and work on my own aesthetic vision; paradoxically, I've found that when I am simply myself, people seem to connect deeply with my work, both my paintings and also my music. I believe it is important to be open to others' views, always, as that is what makes you grow, whether you take them on board or not, it's another story. Through my music duo, Tryst Arcane, my husband and I have collaborated with other artists, contributing to their albums and inviting them to play on ours. Working with others allows for that collective energy and the back-and-forth of ideas, which is something I find really exciting. I don't see my painting and music as separate worlds; it's all part of the same journey, and I'm also very excited about expanding its collabo- rative aspect. It's about finding the balance between that shared creative energy and my own solitary process. 6.How do you approach a new project? Do you have a specific process or routine you follow? My approach depends on the nature of the project. Some pieces are born purely from imagination, where I allow my vision to lead and the work to evolve freely on the canvas. Others are more conceptual and require thought and research, as the paintings in my upcoming exhibition, The Nectar Of Sleep. When a project is conceptual, I do many pre- liminary sketches. This allows me to develop the idea and arrive at a version very close to what I want to translate onto the canvas. It may still change a lot from the sketch, but with a shaped composition at hand, the flow of my work on the canvas becomes much more enjoyable and fluid. Regardless of the starting point, I need plenty of days as most pieces have many thin layers of paint. I like to let them simmer for a while so I can look at them with a fresh eye; some pieces don't make it to the gallery for that reason. If I see that a piece of work has 'strong bones' but isn't quite there with the execution or how it's turning out, I will start it afresh until I am truly happy with the result. 7. Can you let us in on some of the future projects, works? The upcoming solo is a very significant mo- ment for me. Having the support of a curator like Melanie Erixon, who encouraged me to believe in my work when I was doubting and having my husband literally frame my vision makes this collection feel very personal. This collection was particularly challenging as I needed to break some technical and emotional boundaries that saw me at my very lowest; for that, I have to thank my hus- band for his patience and for bearing with my "lunatic moments" during the process. Until I broke that wall, there were moments when the pain was real. But the effort was worth it, as it has taken me out of my comfort zone and given me more confidence in my abilities. It has been a rewarding process of pushing through those uncertainties to see everything come together. The Nectar Of Sleep will run from 20 September to 4 October, 2026, at Il-Kamra ta' Fuq, Mqabba. I am really excited to see how viewers receive this new collection; it is a bit dark and mys- terious, reflecting the specific theme I chose to portray, and I'm looking forward to finally sharing this world with the public. Looking ahead, I am already thinking of a new series of paintings and although my current pieces favour neutral, earthy tones, I never rule out some change; my process is very much about following where my curiosity leads me. Once my workspace is cleared and converted into a space that can accommodate large paintings, I might be tempted to go for larger-scale canvases that explore the themes that move me. With Tryst Arcane, we are working on new material that continues to bridge the gap between sound and visual art, perhaps even looking into ways to bring those two worlds together in a more immersive way in the future. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 Theatre The men playing The Maids ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON BY LAURA CALLEJA suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt The Q & A ALEXIA BALDACCHINO 7 questions for... Extra round Who are your biggest influences, and how have they shaped your work? I've always been drawn to the aesthetics of music subcultures, classical art, and 19th century movements, with a subconscious lean toward Turner's atmospheric, earthy tones. The work of Nicola Samorì resonates deeply. His art embodies these different worlds through sombre aesthetics and in a contemporary key. Multidisciplinary Maltese artist creating ethereal works of her own inner impressions. Her upcoming solo exhibition, The Nectar of Sleep, at Il-Kamra ta' Fuq, features 15 paintings that explore sleep's transition from a biological necessity to modern-day anxiety and the longing for the kind of rest that only a good night's sleep can provide. For more information related to her work, please find her at www.alexiabaldacchino.com Art Framed in Focus: ADHD Women - Giving lived ADHD experience a voice PAGES 2-3 PAGE 8 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta