# Interview surrounded by the concept: World Excellence #
What is excellence to you?
If something touches me in its uniqueness.
If art reflects the intentions of an individual artist.
If an artist can represent his/her intentions in a piece of art.
If one can feel the aura.
If an artwork is alive and not dead.
What do you consider a runway to your success, i.e. what helped you “take off“
I got the opportunity to exhibit my artworks within a group exhibition of an Italian gallery (positions in Venice, Turin, Milan, New York, Abu Dhabi) in Venice in 2018. From this moment on the “taking off” process has started, and I was able to exhibit some of my pieces in Venice, Turin, Milan, Terni, Parma, Greece, Berlin, Innsbruck …
There is also the gallery “Time of Art” by Eleni Sakali (in Kifissia , Greece) where I got to exhibit in 2020 and 2021.
I would like to thank everyone who helped me come so far and enable me to go public with my art, especially in Austria, beginning with my first exhibition at the “Win Win” in Lienz (2012), “die Kulturtage” at the “Pitterl Stadel” in Nussdorf and the exhibitions at the “Vitalalpinum”.
All these chances helped me grow my self-confidence and have kept me going so far.
What do you consider growth?
If there are doors opening for me and I am not afraid to take the next step – either in real life or in my artworks.
What do you consider success?
First, being authentic, to be proud of who and what I have become. I also think it is essential when it comes to success to be true to oneself. I think that is my biggest achievement which therefore helps me fulfil my goals and dreams.
I also try to show that in my pictures. They reflect my personality, my emotions and my soul. I just want to be myself and not copy things from my surroundings which would not enable me to portray my inner self in my pictures anymore. If I am capable to succeed in my authenticity and touch other people’s hearts with my artwork, I consider that as pure success.
What do you consider uniqueness?
First and foremost being yourself and I also think that individuality is important when it comes to success either in real life as well as in art … following one’s path is a great strength and I truly consider that as uniqueness.
Who are the people and why that you could include in a section called “asdonebythebest”?
Each person, each artist has its own qualities which define them and make the individual special and unique. The one who doesn’t hide its individual skills and is even proud of them, adds up to even more positive adjectives, for example authenticity and honesty. I do not only adore these qualities in real life and in the working world, but also in art.
What is your favourite habit that you could include in a second called “diamond pages”?
Talking about myself is really challenging. I think being loyal, warm-hearted, having an open ear for other people, being humble define my personality to a great extent. These aspects are also reflected in my habits. I also believe that life is sometimes hard, but I regard difficult situations as a chance to grow and become better – I believe that I have succeeded in that respect.
What is your favourite city and why?
My favourite city is certainly my hometown ‘die SONNENSTADT Lienz‘ – the most beautiful place on earth. Living here means that I am one with nature in its uniqueness. I am truly gifted with all the precious things Lienz has to offer, particularly a healthy environment.
What kind of landscape around the world would you be able to include in a blue-green world?
One of my favourite landscapes can be found in Sylt, Ellebogen (Baltic Sea), There you can see endless white beaches and deep blue seawater. Moreover, the mesmerizing sunsets are one of my preferred natural scenes which are inspiring because they portray freedom and width for me.
Tuscany in Italy can also be considered as one of my favourite places. There I prefer the antique towns with their rich culture. Furthermore, I admire the mountains and lakes of Austria, especially in East-Tyrol – my home which is both an urban as well as a rural paradise with many possibilities to catch some fresh air and get a lot of sun.
All these places inspire me when it comes to art, and I would include them in a blue-green world.
What is your wish for the planet we live in?
My biggest wishes are respect of animals and people, the environment and especially our planet. Moreover, being able to live in connection with each other no matter where one is from, what culture or skin colour one has got. We are all equal at the end of the day.
TOURMOIL
Our World has c h a n g e d
Losing time creating
TURMOIL
Than growing Love
We all reside on Earth
Different World circles
Yet connected
SAME TRAIN
SAME TRACKS
TURMOIL prevents
SAME DIRECTION BOUND
(„Turmoil“…. text from my book We Share One, from collaboration with Robert Harvey Cook, writer from California).
Andrea Girstmair, Artist, Time of Art Gallery