my process

As an artist I get a lot of questions about how I work, so I thought I’d answer some for you here.

what inspires your paintings?

Nothing truly specific: it is more the relationship I have with oil on my hands and a white canvas in front of my face. From there I get lost in emotion; true happiness, pain, love. I paint when my paralysis comes out. I paint when I’m sad. I paint when I’m happy. I paint when I’m lost. I paint because I can. I’ve painted with friends for fun, and encouraged them to express themselves, because when someone paints nothing is wrong, and everything is beautiful. I love to see their emotions come out. Painting is an instrument for me. I paint with my heart.

do you paint with a final product in mind?

No, not necessarily. My artwork comes from emotion. When I’m in love the painting can take the beautiful form of a woman. The colours I use often represent my feelings of pain or survival. Whatever colour calls to me first I use, and then I move on from there. Whatever feelings I’m going through, my paintings embody that. Sometimes I have sip of my favourite portuguese wine.  Sometimes I laugh. Sometimes I cry. Whatever I feel in that moment I express with paint. It just happens. A major theme seems to be water and the ocean, which to me represents freedom. It reminds me of Portugal, reminds me of being a child. Every single piece is very personal.

do you paint commissioned pieces?

I can go to a patron’s home – see the room where they would like the print, see what colours they have in their home. I talk to them, see what inspires them, ask what their favourite colours are. I can also do this via email if they wish. They’re welcome to choose a print from my gallery and I can change the size or colours for them, or they can come into my studio. I just want them to smile and love it. That’s the most important thing.

what do you charge?

Prices vary based on size and thickness of canvas, and amount of colours used. Each commission piece is priced accordingly.

what inspires your paintings?

Nothing truly specific: it is more the relationship I have with oil on my hands and a white canvas in front of my face. From there I get lost in emotion; true happiness, pain, love. I paint when my paralysis comes out. I paint when I’m sad. I paint when I’m happy. I paint when I’m lost. I paint because I can. I’ve painted with friends for fun, and encouraged them to express themselves, because when someone paints nothing is wrong, and everything is beautiful. I love to see their emotions come out. Painting is an instrument for me. I paint with my heart.

do you paint with a final product in mind?

No, not necessarily. My artwork comes from emotion. When I’m in love the painting can take the beautiful form of a woman. The colours I use often represent my feelings of pain or survival. Whatever colour calls to me first I use, and then I move on from there. Whatever feelings I’m going through, my paintings embody that. Sometimes I have sip of my favourite portuguese wine.  Sometimes I laugh. Sometimes I cry. Whatever I feel in that moment I express with paint. It just happens. A major theme seems to be water and the ocean, which to me represents freedom. It reminds me of Portugal, reminds me of being a child. Every single piece is very personal.

do you paint commissioned pieces?

I just started recently. I can go to a patron’s home – see the room where they would like the print, see what colours they have in their home. I talk to them, see what inspires them, ask what their favourite colours are. I can also do this via email if they wish. They’re welcome to choose a print from my gallery and I can change the size or colours for them, or they can come into my studio. I just want them to smile and love it. That’s the most important thing.

what do you charge?

Prices vary based on size and thickness of canvas, and amount of colours used. Each commission piece is priced accordingly.

commission VZV for artwork