Lilian Kebudi Interview | Respect the Artist
This interview was curated by START Shows
New York City-based contemporary artist Lilian Kebudi was born in Brazil and moved to the US in 1997. She has been painting since childhood and is a former graphic designer for the fashion industry in NYC where she worked for over 18 years. She now spends most of her time painting and working at an Arts school, helping families with children with Special Education. Her goal is to connect with people through her art, share emotions and thoughts, and spread much-needed positive energy in the world. Lilian believes in the power of community and in creating more empathy through the arts.
(Source: Artist)
How did you get into creating?
I've been drawing and painting since I've known myself. I was probably 6 or 7 years old when I was gifted an easel and I still remember the happy feeling of receiving my first art case that I've got full of brushes, paints, and pencils. I've been creating since then.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, and have been living in the US, mostly in NY, for more than half of my life now.
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
Rio is a beautiful and lively city, but also a city with huge socio-economic contrast. I think my friendly and easy-going personality is the Brazilian instilled in me. My sense of social justice it was also cultivated there - seeing kids on the streets asking for money instead of being in school was never something I knew quite how to deal with, constantly feeling powerless in the face of so much inequality.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
I had my parents' support, I feel lucky in that sense. My mom, no matter how far it was, used to take me to art classes after school. I then went on to study Fashion Design in Rio. When I moved to the US, I went back to school for Fine Arts and Fashion. In NY, I enrolled in Continued Education at Cooper Union, and just kept painting. I’ve worked for many years in the Fashion Industry in NY as a graphic designer, where I had room to be creative but within parameters.
What does your current setup look like?
My studio is a small corner in my apartment where I live with my husband and kids. They are tired of me making a mess and want me to move out! ;-)
Who inspires you?
I'm surrounded by amazing women from family to friends, starting with my mom. They prove to be resilient, determined, confident, wise and sensitive no matter the circumstances.
What is your goal when you create?
My goal when creating is more related to the process than the final piece. There is a lot to be learned in the process - it involves problem-solving, building confidence, fighting the inner critic, making mistakes, and getting experience. The goal of the final product is sharing and finding a connection with others.
Why do you create?
Starting with me, I create because I need the outlet, and it is the best way I find to communicate with the world. Now it has become bigger than me - I realized that keeping it to myself has no value and that this is my gift to the world. Sharing my paintings and the thoughts and ideas behind the creation has open conversations that touch me and others. Arts create more empathy, and empathy creates a more just world
How has choosing your creative path affected your life?
I’ve always done creative work, I wouldn’t know how to do anything else. But I think the significant change came during the pandemic when I was let go from a full-time and stable job as a graphic designer and decided to dedicate more time to my passion, painting. Financially feels like I took some steps back, but I’ve never been this happy and fulfilled, so I think the rest will come.
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?
I want to be able to allocate more time for painting and have the right space to work. I want to keep sharing with the world and connecting with others through my art. And yes, sell some pieces so I can keep doing all that!
What would you tell someone else with a dream?
I would tell this person to keep going, to remove the noise and negativism that can get stuck on the way. To stay focused and be true to yourself. There are no rules on how to achieve happiness or success; whatever success looks like to you, you have to find your own formula.
Tell us about your most recent release
My latest work is called Inside Out from my Pink Lady series. It’s a woman looking sideways, and inside her, a flowering plant is growing; the flower blooms on the outside of her body. The meaning of this piece is that whatever we plant and cultivate within, putting time and love into, eventually grows, and that becomes what we share with the world and becomes who we are. It’s about self-care, self-awareness, and the power to create something good to share with others.
Check it out: http://www.instagram.com/p/CsOMxVcutT3/
Connect
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/liliankebudiart/
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/liliankebudiart
Website: http://www.liliankebudi.com
Photography credit: Giovanna Caffarelli
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