Notes from the Studio radio interview with David John Dietrich

David:  We are talking about music and painting and how they are related. Why don't you begin by telling us how you got started in the arts.

Ella: I was told by my parents that I began to draw as soon as I could hold a pencil in my hands. I don’t remember that but I remember me drawing and painting at an early age. It was just always important to me. I would bring my drawing and painting utensils with me when we went on vacation. I worked from my imagination but I also began early to draw what I saw in nature or just in my room or the flowers on our balcony etc. I also remember that I created a book when I was about five years old. It was a story about crayons that traveled the world.

David: What opportunities did you have that lead you to success in both your art and your life? 

Ella: My parents did encourage me being an artist and musician. That was probably the most important opportunity. But overall, I mostly went the hard route. I could have made a lot of things differently but I didn’t and I am not looking back. And I never agreed to change my style which especially applies to my musical work. There were opportunities but I wouldn’t have been able to do my own thing.

David: How about hardships.  Is there anything you can tell us about something you had to overcome in order to pursue art?

Ella: I don’t know. I always keep going, keep creating. There were times when I was ill for a long time but I did still create, even when I was in a hospital bed. In fact, I created all works for my diploma in a hospital bed. Or when my first partner died and then years later my second partner. Then my world stood still and it took me a long time to recover. Both times I thought “This is it, I am done, I am too tired to continue, to start over”. But I did continue, I did start over, I continued to create.

David: How does music play a role in your paintings?

Ella: I see and feel rhythm in a painting. Also sounds but it is more about rhythm. And music inspires my work as an artist and vice versa.

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David: Do you have any advice for young artists starting off?

Ella: Do your thing. Don’t expect people to love what you do. Don’t expect success, just create.

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