Biografia

 Croatian artist Mauro Zaraj sees himself as a cosmic/galactic art channeler, whose co-creation partners are the suns, stars, planets and galaxies known and unknown, close and far distant.  

"On the wings of solar storms, winds and other celestial events I receive inspiration for creating beautifully orchestrated harmonies of colors, shapes, images and symbols.  

 Pure magic brilliant vision and good vibes can be directly felt. Through my hands I am channeling beautiful artwork mostly attributed to be perfect. From the deepest level of myself I am diving for the pearls of love, wisdom and power".  

 

What initially drew you towards becoming an artist?  

 

Defining myself as an artist would be too limited because my creative activity is just a piece of that beautiful puzzle we call LIFE. “Artist Of Life” better suits me and it is from this lifestyle that my creativity in the form of paintings become manifested. My mission is to bring “heaven on earth” by way of showing a new level of beauty, harmony and balance through my artworks. It is from my deep urge to make this world a better place that all good things spring from my heart.  

 How would you describe your own personal style?  

 “Cosmic Art” is the name I gave to my style and it is dedicated to people who are on the path of awakening to their inner truth. The artworks always reflect the artists inner world and it is because of my way of living that I always manage to “download” on to the canvas the best version of me. The version of me who is living with a heart full of love, power, wisdom, beauty, freedom, peace & harmony. Saying that my artworks reflect the inner truth and potential of humanity would be the best way to describe what I am achieving as an artist of life. When a person with an open heart observes my paintings, their conclusion is that these paintings are not empty but that they have something special infused inside which can be felt directly. What they are sensing is the love energy, the good vibes and the true power ( not the power over others but the power over self ).  

 

What pushed you in that direction and how can you see your work evolving in the future?  

 I am blessed with the ability to create such artworks and I leave the “river of life” to bring whatever it has in plan for me. As a popular song is saying “Don’t you worry child, the heaven has a plan for you”.  

 

What inspires you in your work, is there a driving factor that draws you to the easel?  

 My day starts and ends with a meditation activity. Not to mention that during the day I am always aware of the inner connection with the source of life, from where all good things come to us. I create exactly and only from this place, the place where my inner intelligence is guiding me in every step of my creativity efforts. I am receiving feelings and visions on the ways I should create and I have full faith in the process, knowing that at the end I will admire a masterpiece which came through these hands, yet not achievable without this beautiful fulfilling inner connection.  

 

Are there particular individuals who have encouraged / inspired you along the way, friends, family, teachers, maybe even other artists?  

 My beloved wife Katarina with whom I share this “life journey”. We are an amazing team.  

 When it comes to creating your work, do you have a preferred medium, certain types of brushes or tools you love to use?  

 I love to combine oil & acrylic colours, especially those which have a vivid & shinning effects inside. Besides that, some of my artworks are encrusted with Swarovski and Preciosa crystals. I mostly painting on canvas and from time to time on wood, but I am sure my creativity will bring me other amazing elements to be included. However, the key element for all my artworks is LOVE. With LOVE magic happens.  

 

When it comes to the subject matter of your work, what draws you to those themes?  

 We are living in times of big changes with big transformation processes occurring. A big shift is upon earth and currently there are two streams of humanity. Those who prepared themselves for this moment and who will surf the waves of changes effortlessly and with passion, deeply knowing and having faith that the waves will bring them a new & better quality of life. These ones have a good balance between masculine and feminine energy and a respect for mother earth and all sentient beings upon this amazing planet. These are the new human angels. Therefore women (feminine energy), spirit animals, angels & mandalas are my favourite themes.  

 

  Could you describe the process behind your art? How do you get from concept to execution?  

Doing everything step by step. Turning my focus inwardly and listening to my true self. Then with full faith in the message I received going outwardly and starting to create. So it is this exchange of focus, this asking for inner consultation, advice and guidance and putting it into action that always brings me great satisfaction and fulfillment. I just allow the “river of life” to flow through me and manifest a perfection.  

 

Could you describe your normal day as an artist? Have you set routines and rituals or is a more a case of when the moment is right you work?  

 My inner connection is the main focus of my daily activities, because it is from here that I receive all that I need in my life, included the inspiration for painting. Beside that, with my lovely wife I spend lots of time in nature; swimming in the cold sea water during winter times, mountain trail running, collecting self grown food, eating only organic food etc... all puzzles of a happy and healthy lifestyle. And this set of rituals are those that make a good basis for creating artworks with positive vibes.  

 

When you work, do you focus on one piece at a time until completion or are you working on multiple pieces at the same time?  

 Each artwork requires my deep concentration because there are multiple dimensions, myriad of details, lots of geometric shapes, objects, figures, symbols and colours, that at the end need to reflect harmony, beauty & balance. It is exactly this requirement that takes me a long time to finish the artwork, from several weeks to months. But the end result is what gives me the sense of fulfillment.  

 

How has your art evolved to be where it is today?  

 It is continuously evolving, in quantum leaps. As I evolve as a person so are the artworks reflecting that. The mirror effect.  

 

Which of your artworks are you most proud off?  

 I am proud of myself, of my perseverance, focus and devotion to create artworks that brings positive inspiration and energies.  

 

Is there a fellow artist alive today that you admire? If so, why?  

 Most probably yes, but from the future times.  

  

If you could travel back in time, is there a particular artistic period / era that you would like to have been involved in?  

 I am travelling forward in time and meeting my future self. I leave the past where it should remain.  

 

What challenges do you feel the 21st century artist has to overcome?  

 To become responsible for his creation. In the near future the idea of what is art will change. The value will not go to a branded painting but to the true effect of the painting on our well-being.  

 

What advice would you give to a young aspiring artist currently studying art?  

 Find your true self / the best version of yourself and then you will find your unique artistic style which only you can express.  

 

Despite having developed your own distinctive style, is there another style of art that you are immediately drawn towards and admire? Why?  

 I respect all styles but follow my own path.  

 

We have all heard of the unfinished masterpiece, even Da Vinci laboured away at the Mona Lisa for years and years, have you works that are in a continual process of evolution? When working on an artwork do you find it hard to let go? Knowing when enough is enough?  

 There is a threshold point in the process of painting which I call “fine tuning”. At that point I start to work on correcting small details which nobody can see but myself and of course there is a feeling of completion at the end of each artwork. A feeling that this is exactly how I imagined the artwork with my inner vision.  

 

Many people see artists as storytellers or advocates for a cause, do you believe that it is an artist’s responsibility to shine a light on a particular subject / theme, or do you create purely for the sake of expression your creative nature?  

 True Art comes from the HeArt and therefore has the element of Love inside.  

 

What are you working on at the moment?  

The name of the painting I am currently working on is “COSMIC RING OF FIRE / COSMIC RECREATION ” and it is a part of my “Amazing Spirit Animal” collection. In this case with the mythical animal, OUROBOROS.  

 

“The ouroboros or uroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail ... The Ouroboros has been said to have a meaning of infinity or wholeness.”  

 

Have you ever been part of an artistic group / movement? How did your work benefit from that experience?  

 I am part of the great planetary awakening movement.  

 

When is your next exhibition? Is it a solo or group exhibition? Could you tell us a little about the exhibition, when and where it is?  

 All my artworks are, all the times, exhibited in my gallery in Opatija, Croatia, where you can view them in person.  

 

 

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