My Photo Bio Interview

What is the meaning of this photograph?

I am a follower of the French ‘Art de Vivre’ philosophy.

A great conversation with friends in a little caffe around the corner.

A little humor and good food and vine.

Being focused on enjoying the present, and making each moment special.

These are my perfect days.

Sunshine

The idea to pack my belongings and travel the world, came to me at the age of 4, and this photograph is a living proof. I was ready to leave my parents, and my father captured the moment.

Don’t ask me why I was dressed like this.

Good Laughter

Who are the people that influenced you?

My mother Vera Hadzic, a women of many talents, who gave be the eye to create good photographs, beautiful ceramics and paintings, and much more. Most of all, she gave me unconditional love.

My grandfather, Svetozar Hadzic, the old Serbian General, who showed me that averything is possible, no mater what age you are.

He was 80 when I was born and we had many great moments together.

My Uncle Borivoje Simonovic, a man of many talents, including being fluent in 6 languages. He lived in Paris, and with amazing stories, introduced me to the City of Light.

I fell in love, revisited Paris many times, and after 30 year of seeing it for the first time, I’ve made it my home.

What are the things that matters to you?

For me, the connection to the place came from all of the hidden parts of life, that are not apparent until you have spent significant amounts of time there.

In Kenya I’ve spent a year and was able to peel back the layers that tourists are exposed to.

There are many other places that are simply magical, but I believe the common thread that makes them special, is spending enough time to truly experience the place, make friends.

Travel is my passion and I have visited more than 70 countries around the world and lived in 5 countries on 3 continents that had offered me beautiful landscapes, art and architecture, history, traditions, fantastic food, music, festivities and wonderful new friendships.

Now Paris has been my home since 2009. Paris and its unique multicultural ambience, have had a significant impact on my life, ever since I’ve visited it in 1979.

Name some of the places you’ve traveled where you feel like you made a connection, visually, either with the culture, the architecture, or the landscape.

What is for you a perfect day?

Can you describe your painting process?

"Fun", "celebration" and “humor" are the words that I have in mind when I paint. This is the only time when I don’t think about anything else.

I use imagination, and my passion for bright colors, to create many moods on my paintings. I love the fact that they are unpredictable and the end result is unknown to me until its own mystery unfolds.

Each painting has several layers, and is transformed many times using everything from brushes and sponges, to rollers and credit cards, fingers and nails, scrapers and toothbrushes.

What does Svetlana means in your language?

Svetlo means light, in English it’s probably the equivalent to Claire?