Meet Danya Elbaridi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danya Elbaridi.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am an immigrant. The path I chose to become a working artist and business owner wasn’t an orthodox one. Twenty years ago I arrived in the United States after I graduated from the Academy of Applied Arts in Belgrade, Serbia, where I grew up.

When I arrived in the US I had no idea how I was going to make it as an artist but knew I wanted to acquire hands-on experience, gain recognition, and earn a paycheck. For the longest time I considered myself lucky to be able to do what I love and make a living. I was content to work for others, never daring to go on my own because I wanted to play it safe.

Yet, once I had a child this all changed. I knew I had no more excuses. I don’t want to sound cliché but once my little boy came into this world I’ve been braver, more confident, and felt more fulfilled. Having him makes me determined to succeed and reach my full potential. I want to build a community around him, so he can have a sense of his roots since mine have been long lost.

Please tell us about your art.
I work as a decorative painter/muralist, predominantly within residential interior design. I’ve been working in Chicago and Washington D.C. as my two home bases for the past 20 years, but I’ve also worked on many projects all around the country.

I’ve mostly worked on high-end projects side by side with a variety of home design professionals and craftspeople, so I know a thing or two about the entire process of how a home is made.

I can transform any wall, floor or ceiling or refinish a piece of furniture or home accessory so that it best reflects the aesthetic of the client. This entails coordinating with fabric swatches, moldings, architectural details, ceramic tiles and flooring. I also have to keep in mind that I often have to meet deadlines, work with builders and contractors to make sure I am familiar with interior layouts and how I can best achieve my results considering that a lot can go wrong on a job site that has nothing to do with me. A lot of the time, there are constraints as to what can be done that are not monetary but environmental.

My job utilizes the knowledge of traditional painting techniques, the history of Old World art, ancient materials, new and modern trends in art and design, and a lot of MacGuyvering. Every time I finish a project, I am filled with a sense that I have made someone’s living or working space not only beautiful, but that it’s imbued with hundreds or even thousands of years of knowledgeable craftsmanship, artistry and history.

In my spare time, I’m in my studio and work on my own drawings and paintings. I have an illustrative style but am inspired by texture and narrative themes.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I believe that, now more than ever, with the rise of social media, artists all around the world have an opportunity to successfully showcase, sell, and promote their work. I know it’s not easy and it takes work but I have been incredibly inspired by the global art community.

It’s not going to happen for everyone, but a lot more of us are getting noticed and supported. There are many things to consider when you decide to market and monetize your work, but I would say that artists can’t afford not to hustle. So, do whatever it takes, read blogs that help you develop your own strategy to reach clients, buyers, galleries and collectors.

Photograph your work well – I am personally still working on that aspect – and ask other professionals to help you, guide you, and promote you. You have to consider that, as invaluable as your time in the studio is, your time spent doing all the pesky business things is equally important.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I mostly work in private residences, so a lot of my completed jobs are documented in my personal collection that’s available for private viewing, but you can see some recent projects on my IG page as well as basic info on my website.

My ideal client works with an interior designer who then chooses from a variety of my custom samples to build a design theme. I am always happy to work on interesting projects, and in the right situation I can be flexible with different budget limits.

I would love to be able to spend more time in the studio. It would be great if I could achieve a perfect balance between my professional interior painting career and my fine art aspirations to show and sell more of my personal work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studiolunaris.com
• Phone: (773) 887-2830
• Email: artstudiolunaris@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiolunaris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studiolunaris/
• Other: www.elbaridiartanddesign.com

Image Credit:
My own photography, Ana Jeftenic

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