My Story
Beginnings
I first picked up drawing in 2014 under the guidance of Jeremy Caniglia. At the time, I thought little of it, but I was drawn to his enthusiastic approach to life. In 2015, I began painting for the first time.
After embarking on a six-month-long project, I finally understood Caniglia’s obsession—why he never wanted to leave the studio and why he would greet me with, “I love the smell of turpentine in the morning.” I, too, became hooked on the craft.
But it wasn’t because I was naturally talented or found it easy—quite the opposite! I struggled terribly with my first painting, and that’s exactly why I fell in love with it. The challenge of persisting through the struggle and seeing incremental improvements kept me coming back. I found it incredible how Caniglia could complete a portrait in just 30 minutes while I spent months just trying to mix a shadow color.
Thanks to Caniglia’s spirit and approach, I felt at home in his studio. Over the next three years, his guidance on painting and philosophy completely altered my path. By 2017, I wholeheartedly committed to painting as a lifelong pursuit and began taking my practice much more seriously.
The Nerdrum School
My Time at Odd Nerdrum's Studio
In 2018, I entered Odd Nerdrum’s studio for the first time. Stepping into his studio was like opening the door to Narnia—a magical new world unfolded before me. I greatly admired his work, though I didn’t yet understand the underpinnings of his philosophy, known as “kitsch.”
While I was initially extremely intimidated, Nerdrum’s compassion and generosity quickly put me at ease. His work and personality was not just a facade, as is so often the case; it was deeply rooted in his soul, radiating a rare quality—sincerity.
Painting alongside Nerdrum, and so many other talented pupils, led to a greater transformation than I could have ever anticipated. In just a few months, I progressed more than I had in years. The immersive experience, combined with the total obsession for painting was unparalleled. I found myself painting during all waking hours.
From 2018 to 2021, during my time at Nerdrum’s studios, I was introduced to philosophical principles that profoundly changed my life and led to an entirely new approach to painting. I also absorbed countless techniques and processes that are invaluable to my work to this day.
My Mission
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Contact
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