Interviews

Up, Close and artsy with Troy Brooks

Published

3 years ago

March 11, 2015

The art I make is completely self-indulgent. I don’t do commissions and I never make compromises. And yet, people seem to be interested.

-Troy Brooks

Times of Youth: For those who don’t know about you and your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Southern Ontario, Canada. My mother was a painter, although not a very good one. She made small watercolor paintings as an afternoon hobby and I was instantly fascinated. I started drawing before I could talk. I was convinced I was born the wrong sex when I was little and I made pictures of powerful, domineering women as a way of resolving feelings of humiliation. I taught myself to paint and never went to art school, which I am grateful for because they would have improved my terrible proportion. I always made my faces too long and they probably would have fixed that.

Times of Youth: How would you describe your work to someone who has never known about it?

I am Franz Kafka as a drag queen, spilled onto a canvas.

Times of Youth: What sparked your initial interest in arts?

I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t hunched over an image of a woman. But I do remember asking my mother to draw me pictures of Wonder Woman when I was very little. I have vivid memories of laughing out loud as I watched her draw a female figure because I was so thrilled by it. It actually tickled me in my chest and I would burst out laughing. Later on, as a teenager, art became a life saver because it was my only safe form of expression.

Times of Youth: At what age did you start doing all this work? Has your family always been supportive of this choice of career?

My family is very supportive, even though my mother is disturbed by the women in my work. They encouraged me to go to art school, but I didn’t. Gauguin said that an artist’s life was “one long martyrdom.” It just seemed like a nightmare to me. But you are what you are and my life was an absolute disaster until I finally focused on the work I was meant to do. I started exhibiting in 2010. My first show “Virago” almost sold out and allowed me to focus entirely on my girls.

Times of Youth: If not this, what else would you have taken up as your 2nd career of choice and why?

Music, because it’s not so lonely. It’s immediate and accessible. But that’s why everyone is doing it now and the industry is saturated with people who are only interested in using it for self advertising.

Times of Youth: Do tell us how has your experience been in your current field so far.

It’s been spectacular and incredibly fortunate. I really never thought people would be interested in my girls. The art I make is completely self-indulgent. I don’t do commissions and I never make compromises. And yet, people seem to be interested.

Times of Youth: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself as an artist, honestly?

Well, that’s a loaded question! Since you asked for honesty, I guess I can refrain from false modesty. I think I am the best at what I do. If I wasn’t, I would just be doing this as a pastime. So my answer would be 10. Don’t hate me.

Times of Youth: Which of your projects are you most proud of and why?

The painting I am probably most proud of is the one called “Daddy”, but I intensely dislike the women who bought it, so it’s safe in assuming that I’ll never lay eyes on it again. I love that piece because it’s a lifetime of a diary in a single image.

Times of Youth: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I’d like to one day find a fabulous Flash dance loft and maybe mentor some younger artists.

Times of Youth: What is one question nobody has ever asked you— that you wish they asked you?

Did Madonna say thank you?

Times of Youth: Any message to your fans or followers via Times of Youth?

Anytime anyone responds with enthusiasm to my girls it’s inspiring because these are pieces that I thought I would have to keep buried my whole life. So if I have any message to admirers of my work, it would be a big warm and sincere thank you.

Times of Youth: Do tell us how can fans can contact you to share their appreciation/feedback/suggestions.

People can contact me directly through my website www.troybrooks.com

Interviews

Exclusive Interview of Osama & Maha

Published

3 years ago

July 11, 2015

Times of Youth

Times of Youth: We’re delighted to know you guys finally. Do tell our readers about your work in brief.

Osama & Maha: Thank you so much for acknowledging us . We are very excited ourselves. We are first cousins and we have always been the crazy ones in the family. Osama has just completed his A ‘levels and I just graduated from the University Of London. We were always into making crazy videos, impersonating people around us and even celebrities. After a couple of silly dubsmash videos we decided to make our own vine page on Facebook that goes by the name of ‘Osama & M vines‘ (for those of you who don’t know us yet). We believe in spreading smiles everywhere and that’s exactly what we do in our videos. For us laughter is priceless and we think that’s what sets us apart as we never made this page with the intention of gaining any monetary benefits from it unlike many other competitors.

Times of Youth: When did you guys decide that comedy was your calling?

Osama & Maha: I think we were into comedy since forever! We were the clowns of our family, always cracking jokes, passing sarcastic remarks, calling each other by crazy names. After innumerable videos we decided we should share them with everyone. Osama came up with the idea of making our own vine page on Facebook. I was a bit skeptical at first. Little did we know and expect the huge amount of overwhelming response that we got on our first few videos. Since then it’s no looking back for us.

Times of Youth: What was the first reaction of your family members when they heard your decision about being comedians?

Osama & Maha: Initially we didn’t inform anybody in the family about this as we ourselves were doubtful. We wanted to post a couple of videos and see the response as we were aware of the existing competition we had to face. A couple of people and friends discouraged us as according to them every Tom, Dick & Harry was doing this on Facebook and nobody had ever done this before in our family . However when we saw such tremendous response to the videos, we took this as a challenge and Alhamdulillah it doesn’t bother us anymore.

Times of Youth: Which was your first funny video? How was the response to it?

Osama & Maha: As I mentioned before we have made innumerable videos but on our page our first funny video goes by the name of “ desi aunty interrogations.” It’s a video about desi aunties harassing you with their endless questions over the phone and always wanting you to get married. This video was entirely based on our own personal experience. The response was great as a lot of people related to it. This video really boosted our morale as it was one of our first videos and we plan to come up with more of such videos in future.

Times of Youth: Any particular work of yours that you cherish the most ?

Osama & Maha: Honestly every video we have made so far is special in its own way. As all our videos are based on what we experience in daily life. Sometimes we sit together, watch our videos and laugh thinking what the people we impersonate would do if they find out its them: p. There are however 2 videos that are very very special to us . The first is our ‘Babu Rao” dusbsmash as he had a great laugh while making it and it was also selected by the’Express Tribune as top 10 dubsmash videos from all over the Pakistan or the world if I’m not wrong. This was really huge for us and very encouraging. The second video goes by the name of “ annoying desi sisters” as we both are the youngest amongst siblings hence, this we were really excited to portray our feelings. By far this video has the most likes and the comments are so much fun to read as literally everyone has related to it and acknowledged our work.

Times of Youth: On a scale of 1-10, how would you guys rate yourself as an entertainer.

Osama & Maha: UMM somewhere between 7.5-8 . As we have just started and have a long way to go . We really appreciate the positive criticism that we receive from our followers. In sha Allah we will strive to get better and better each time!

Times of Youth: Has making fun of others ever backfired for you?

Osama & Maha: Haha oh yes it has! We are strong believers of Karma and yes it has struck back many times. Lol, we have experienced a lot but still laugh it out, haha.

Times of Youth: who’s sense of humor have you admired the most in your life?

Osama & Maha: Each other’s I guess lol. Well to be honest we didn’t really follow anybody’s work religiously. I guess we were too busy polishing our own. Jokes apart we believe in taking inspiration from anything or anyone we like or whatever makes us laugh hysterically. We have seen and taken inspiration and ideas from a lot of people. So far I think the biggest inspiration has been our lives. Every day we come across such weird people who we eventually end up imitating in our videos. So we can say our life and everyone around us have a pretty good sense of humor that we admire.

Times of Youth: what is one question nobody has ever asked you—that you wished they asked you?

Maha: Who are you when no one is watching?
Osama: Would you like yourself if you meet you?

Times of Youth: So which are the your new projects that we should be looking out for ?

Osama & Maha: We have recently put up a video called “an interview with meera jee.” (Part 1). We will continue making its sequels as we think this is something almost everybody enjoys no matter how many people have already made similar videos. Our ideas are original and we don’t believe in copying other people’s work so we really hope our fans enjoy. Alhamdulillah we are also working on the content and visual quality of our videos .Moreover, countless crazy videos are coming your way so be prepared to laugh uncontrollably.

Times of Youth: Has your work ever been criticized? How did you handle it?

Osama & Maha: Yes numerous times infact! We don’t let it act as a setback for us. As we are still amateurs and this is just a way for us to learn. We take it as positive criticism and work towards achieving what we lack in our videos. However when the criticism gets a bit nasty we just laugh it off! Haters gonna hate eh?

Times of Youth: what is the first word that comes to mind when you read the following

Facebook:

Maha – A great platform for everyone! Which doesn’t include updating everything you do during the day * pun intended* And too addictive!

Osama – Ever ready to do crazy stuff , addictive but more like scrolling down and posting occasionally.

Vines:

Maha & Osama – US

Entertainment:

Maha – entertainment & entertainment!

Osama – laughter and entertaining.

Future:

Maha – A long and successful journey insha Allah!

Osama –looking for more succesfull opportunities and well planned future In sha Allah!

Interviews

Up Close and Artsy with Yuri Kabisher

Published

3 years ago

March 17, 2015

Times of Youth

Times of Youth: For those who don’t know about you and your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Yuri Kabisher: I was born in Vitebsk (Belarus) in 1976 in the family of an artist Igor Kabisher. Since my early childhood, I was surrounded by an atmosphere of painting and creativity.
In 1987, I entered the art school of the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. Later I received an MFA degree as stage designer. Currently I work as a stage designer, an illustrator and a fine artist.

Times of Youth: How would you describe your work to someone who has never known about it?

Yuri Kabisher: The purpose of my art is to gain the ability to combine this multi-layered perception with the daily life within contemporary human society without changing the settled lifestyle artificially. I believe that contemporary society has to go through a major change, however it can only happen as a result of comprehending the detailed structure of our “mind-machines”. My ultimate goal is to help people who come across my art to expand the boundaries of their consciousness.

Times of Youth: What sparked your initial interest in arts?

Yuri Kabisher: I don’t think it needs to be sparked. it simply happens, my duty is only to help the creativity to come to actual being.

Times of Youth: At what age did you start doing all this work? Has your family always been supportive of this choice of career?

Yuri Kabisher: As far as I know I began to paint even before speaking. Later, around age of 19, I began to practice a variety of experimental techniques with an aim to explore different levels of consciousness. Through the series of researches about the inaccessible zones of human consciousness that took place during lucid dreaming, my own consciousness has changed. The center of my consciousness has shifted towards the area of direct nonverbal perceiving of various aspects of the universe and “other worlds”. I share this experience with people through my art and I believe that art as such is a wonderful tool that enables us to dive into the deep layers of consciousness.

Times of Youth: If not this, what else would you have taken up as your 2nd career of choice and why?

Yuri Kabisher: Maybe I’d be a musician.

Times of Youth: Do tell us how has your experience has been in your current field so far.

Yuri Kabisher: Its been like all my life!

Times of Youth: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself as an artist, honestly?

Yuri Kabisher: Art is not a matter of competition.

Times of Youth: Which of your projects are you most proud of and why?

Yuri Kabisher: I simply love whatever I do at that current moment.

Times of Youth: Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?

Yuri Kabisher: I’m not interesting about some theoretical events in a future. ‘Now’ is the ultimate reality!

Times of Youth: What is one question nobody has ever asked you— that you wish they asked you?

Yuri Kabisher: I don’t have such strange wishes.

Times of Youth: Any message to your fans or followers via TIMES OF YOUTH?

Yuri Kabisher: I would prefer to pass without too much traces, anything else is delivered by my work.

Times of Youth: Do tell us how fans & followers can contact you to share their appreciation/feedback/suggestions.

Yuri Kabisher: http://www.kabisher.com/yuri/

Interviews

Up, Close and Artsy with Ester Roi

Published

3 years ago

March 10, 2015

Times of Youth

Times of Youth: For those who don’t know about you and your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Ester Roi: My name is Ester Roi. I was born and raised in Italy. My father, a teacher, always nurtured my love for art and nature. There, I began my formal education with five years of art history, design and drawing. In my early twenties, I immigrated to California, United States where I studied art and graphic design in college.

I’m not a multi-tasker but a person who immerses herself with passion into one activity at a time. After working as a graphic designer, my art career took second place to raising a family. When time was right I returned to art in full force.

I’ve been a professional artist for about 10 years. One of my proudest accomplishments is the invention of the “Icarus Drawing Board”, a portable, electrically-heated board, which eases the blending and manipulation of wax-based drawing media (colored pencil, artist crayon and oil pastel).

I lead a simple life. I spend my days creating art in my studio and running my art related businesses. Whenever possible I take short trips or vacations to merge with nature and be inspired. My favorite hobbies are photography, gardening and playing piano.

Times of Youth: How would you describe your work to someone who has never known about it?

Ester Roi: My art is characterized by brilliant colors and an ongoing fascination with natural objects surrounded or immersed in water. Some of my favorite subjects are the same ones I loved as a child: rocks, flowers and water. Water is purely magical to me; it’s the element that unifies all my work. I study rocks and flowers above and below the surface, and I meticulously record the visual changes that water imparts to their shapes and colors. I strive to capture the interplay between realistic images and their abstracted counterparts and to integrate them harmoniously.

Times of Youth: What sparked your initial interest in arts?

Ester Roi: I grew up in Italy, a country where art is intrinsically connected with culture and history. However, it wasn’t until middle school that I developed a deep interest in art. I had an amazing teacher who was very supportive and inspiring; he really appreciated and encouraged my artistic talent.

Times of Youth: At what age did you start doing all this work? Has your family always been supportive of this choice of career?

Ester Roi: I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t dreaming of being an artist. Yet, it wasn’t until I came to the United States that I began envisioning the possibility of being one. I began working as a graphic designer in my early thirties but, only after raising my children, I became a professional artist. I never wonder why it didn’t happen sooner; I just feel very grateful to be an artist now.

Times of Youth: Which of your projects are you most proud of and why?

Ester Roi: I’m proud of all my projects but especially fond of “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. It’s a very complex artwork that depicts three stages of river pebbles: submerged, wet and dry pebbles.

Times of Youth: Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?

Ester Roi: Right here in my studio making art that hopefully will continue to connect with a growing number of collectors and fans from all over the world.

Times of Youth: What is one question nobody has ever asked you— that you wish they asked you?

Ester Roi: I wish people asked me how much effort I put in my art. There’s a misconception that talent doesn’t require hard work. It’s not true!

Times of Youth: Any message to your fans or followers via TIMES OF YOUTH?

Ester Roi: After diligently developing your artistic skills, the most important thing is to find your own voice. There’s something unique about each human being; find what it is and express it through your art with passion. Once you reach your goals, be generous and kind to your fellow artists.

Times of Youth: Do tell us how fans & followers can contact you to share their appreciation/feedback/suggestions.

Ester Roi: Thank you, Times of Youth, it’s been a pleasure! Feel free to connect through the links below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esterroiart Website: http://esterroi.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/icarusart My invention: http://icarusart.net/