Danae Kyriakou, is a Greek-Painter and a Musician, who plays 19 instruments, she talks about her arts, music, and how her painting once went viral all over Greece.
18-years old Danae, is not just a prolific painter, but a musician too. She has been playing instruments, since she was a kid, she has a great ability to play 19 instruments as of now.
She once made a painting for an ‘Acid survivor’, which went viral and she got appreciation from everyone all over the internet.
Danae Kyriakou, feels that art has a lot of power in it, it can express the real feelings within us directly, and she felt that when her painting was in the national media in Greece.
In a brief Interview with Asiana Times, Danae Kyriakou, spoke about her art, music, and how artificial intelligence is taking over the real art in today’s age :
You are a painter and a musician too, how do you consider yourself what you like the most ?
Well, I don’t see it as any kind of ‘competition’ between the two, they are both a part of me so I don’t have a favourite. I try to practise both music and drawing every day, combined with all the other daily tasks, tho it’s a bit exhausting, you should never stop putting in the work. Outwork your past self everyday!
When did you realize that you have an ability to play lots of musical instruments and at the same time paint ?
Since I was very young, I’d say… I remember my dad trying to teach me how to get a proper rhythm in percussion and my mom showing me how to take proportions when drawing. They then let me do my own thing. Growing up in a family that supports art can be a huge privilege for a child. It’s all the result of hard work. When I was 8, I asked to attend music lessons but found myself getting bored pretty quickly because he was teaching me kids’ songs and I wanted to instantly ‘dive in deep waters’, so I quit and started to teach myself how to play by ear, as I didn’t know how to read music notes. I then found it easy to learn on my own and begun selling drawings to friends and family in order to buy musical instruments. Same thing with painting, a lot of practise, many sleepless nights and again practise.
Which artists have appreciated your paintings ?
A couple of Youtubers, journalists, singers from around the world, but the biggest one was Hollywood celebrity Salma Hayat, she appreciated my art and shared my painting on her Instagram story.
How did you feel when your painting was appreciated by Salma Hayek and other celebrities ?
I was excited. As a 15-year-old from Greece and amateur artist it feels strange to see yourself and your artwork being posted by an artist so important and globally known as Salma. It was hard to reach her with all those millions of followers but the right people helped and she managed to see and post the drawing. She was so sweet and down to earth and gave me some very humble compliments! When I draw someone, I don’t check their social status first, I rarely draw celebrities but if their story and their personality inspires me, I’ll surely do it.
How do you deal with the pressure of giving something fresh and unique, while working and how much does it affect your creative process?
To be honest, the pressure of presenting something unique exists and affects every artist in every field. Sometimes it takes a toll on you… Mostly because you don’t want to disappoint. When I find an inspiring person that I want to dedicate a whole painting about, the idea comes right in my mind without pressure. I have to make sure that I give them something they deserve so I put pressure on my self to give 110% for them while keeping a balance.In the digital era of artificial intelligence, the traditional art is diminishing.
What do you think will the future hold for arts & painting In this ‘Artificial intelligence‘ era will people still be buying physical painting in this upcoming era?
Physical painting or else traditional art never stopped being created and sold. New digital art is also created by talented artists who have put in the work to create a masterpiece in their own way. Of course there’s a difference in the way it’s created but it is still a beautiful art piece. Old and new forms of art can coexist and they are both successful in sales and human appreciation. ‘AI Can Never Take Away The True Essence Of Art’.
You started early, but many people are locked in their careers and want to pursue something meaningful but they are too afraid to take a risk and actually start to do what they like, something like you did. So, what message do you want to give out to those people?
Have confidence in your abilities and work hard. Doesn’t matter if you have talent, because work beats talent. The one who works more will be the most successful and outwork everybody else. To be able to stand out, you have to do something that nobody else does. So if you’ve found what you really want, go for it, present something unique, have confidence in your skills, outwork everybody, be humble, have respect and earn with your worth everything you deserve. No one can determine your value except you!
Do you feel privileged to be able to play 19 musical instruments and along with that being a phenomenal painter?
In a sense, yeah, it feels like a major privilege. Art in every form sharpens your mind and builds your character. So to answer your question, I thank God everyday for giving me everything I have. It’s a true blessing.You made a painting for an acid attack survivor and it went viral. You got a lot of news coverage all over Greece.
When did you get to know about the news of the Acid Attack that shocked the whole Greece and decided to make a painting for the women, who suffered in this tragic incident ?
I didn’t have in mind, at that time, that it would go viral. I just wanted the painting to reach its destination and when that happened I considered it a success. It has a big and unique backstory that I won’t mention but I started the painting as soon as I heard the news. Somehow the image with the flowers came straight to my mind and when I finished it, I had to figure out a way to send it to her fast before she sees herself in the mirror cause in my mind the flowers replace the wounds and at that difficult time I wanted to make sure she remembers how beautiful she will be. I was in a different city miles away. Then, a young man I didn’t know, messaged me out of the blue, his name was Angel, and he offered to deliver the painting himself, I trusted him, sent him the painting, he walked to the hospital, gave the painting and as he was returning, he called me crying and said ‘Be prepared cause this will be on the news soon’. I laughed it off but it actually happened. I’m grateful for all the love that the painting received, but mostly grateful for the progress that this woman made. I’m proud of her!
What is the message behind the painting you made for the women ?
The picture i made is trying to send a message that, she’s beautiful as long as she sees the flowers on her mirror, no-one can tell her otherwise. her wounds will heal and she will be more beautiful than before.
What is your last message?
There are people all over the world that bury their dreams just because they’re too afraid to fail. Failures are the best lessons. If you have a dream and can’t stop thinking about it, start praying about it. Have humble confidence and go for it, you will need to sacrifice your peace for a while but it will be worth the final result.
