Who is TADEJ? Where do you come from, and where did you study?

I would describe myself as a free-spirited visual coloristic painter. I am originally from Slovenia, and I have lived in Amsterdam since 2016. I studied visual communications at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana (Slovenia). To explore other places and deepen my knowledge of old traditional graphic techniques, I lived and studied in Zagreb (Croatia) at the Academy of Fine Arts. The road ultimately led me to Amsterdam where I work these days in my own studio in the city center.

What is your art style called? How would you define it?

Neo Pop-art / Contemporary Art

What materials, colors, and techniques do you use? How long does it take to create a work?

At the moment, I work in the full spectrum of visual arts; I am multi-skilled. From painting on a canvas to digital animations. For example, I even designed stickers for the Ray-Ban campaign on WeChat in China. Colors play a huge role in all of my works. I love it when a (digital) sketch becomes reality and transforms into a high-end framed artwork in mixed media combining lots of layers, acrylic colors, oil pastels. Recently I also started to play with gold leaves to add high metallic shine, and the effect looks awesome. Playing with new techniques is what I love about my job. And there is always more to explore.

I believe you can train yourself in anything, and maybe some talent helps as well. I am persistent in the things I want to achieve or learn and that makes that I am multi-skilled, and I love the diversity it brings in my daily work.

How or where do you find inspiration?

Moving to the Netherlands was the best thing that happened in my life. The art scene and history here are very rich. And the number of museums and exhibitions there are in the Netherlands… there is so much to see, to expand the mind, and draw inspiration from. I love it! When traveling, I love to go to museums, preferably with modern art, but it can also be historical.

Do your works have a special meaning?

I think everybody is special and can be iconic if they are themselves. I try to bring this to life in my portraits. For example, for the last two years, during the Amsterdam Dance Event, I have organized the DJ Icons exhibition. The theme is, and the exhibition celebrates, diversity in ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, young/old. Because MUSIC IS CONNECTION

Are networks important for your art? Do you work for commissions?

Yes of course and I get a lot of great commission requests through my growing network. It just happens and I am very lucky with that. Some people told me in the past, that I should be or act more like an asshole and that that is the only way to have success in the art scene. I am non of that and respect everybody and will always show my pure interest. It comes from my Slovenian background I think. People are more willing to help each other and think more in we instead of me, compared to a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

What did you do before?

I worked as a Personal Assistant and driver for a quadriplegic person. I started this job in 2016 when I moved to the Netherlands. A bit like Driss from the movie Intouchable;)

How do you create a piece from idea to delivery?

In most cases, the process starts on Instagram and Pinterest. And also after visiting museums. I usually scroll to see all kinds of different color palettes or pictures that inspire me at that particular moment. What attracts me the most are colors. Sometimes I get inspired by a simple walk on the street. Once I have colors and a motif in my mind, I start to sketch on my iPad, which is like searching for the right composition, a balance between color and shape… The time it takes to create one artwork really depends on the day. Sometimes I can produce 3 works a day, sometimes not even one. [laughs] Unfortunately, creativity is not like a light switch.

Future projects or exhibitions?

Many plans and cool projects are coming on my path at the moment. I am working on bigger custom artworks, merchandise of DJ’s and more on iconic products (soon more news about a great product launch in collaboration with an A brand, I cannot talk about it till the end of March, unfortunately). And it would be amazing to travel with the DJ Icons exhibit and one day have a big exhibition on Ibiza, the music island.

How do you see the situation of art in these COVID dates?

My business was just starting to take off at the beginning of 2020. And then all of a sudden, the virus came. I didn't know what to expect. In the end, sales just went up because people started to redecorate their houses, and I also benefited from the fact that people spent more money on nice artwork on the walls. And I got the chance to do a big collaboration with Ray-Ban last year and made artwork related to Corona the iconic Wayfarer. So overall because of Corona I actually had a breakthrough!

What do you do in your free time, and what do you love to do?

I am always busy with art or graphic design-related projects. I love to cook, spend time with my friends, and travel. I also love to go back home to see my family as much as I can since they're all living in Slovenia. And when I go back there, I always like to go into nature or go for a nice, long hike into the mountains. It’s nice to get out of the city now and then and distance yourself from everyone for a bit.

What artists inspire you?

My main inspirational artists are Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and David Hockney. But it doesn't stop there. I have a minor obsession with sculptures by Bernini and some other artists from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Multiple sculptures by Bernini were exhibited in Amsterdam at the beginning of 2020. I was speechless. The way they were carving full-body statues in marble at that time is just so fascinating to me. The details are extraordinary, and he was so young when he made them!

What is the most difficult for you as an artist?

I love creating and love the freedom of being your own boss and making your work flexible as much as you want. But there are so many other tasks, it is not just a post on Instagram. Where shall I start ;) Learning new techniques, website development, marketing, concepts, pricing, fulfillment, accountancy, IP and legal matters, events, PR, etc. People sometimes think everything just happens to me and I can just be creative. Believe me, there is a lot of work in the background going on every day for many hours. I love it and building this business is a dream for me and gives me energy every day. And I am blessed to have an amazing set of people who help me now and then with some tasks.

The quintessential city of art for you?

For now… Amsterdam! This might change after I visit New York :). It was on my agenda, but then corona happened…

What art do you consume?

Unfortunately, all museums are closed for a while and we have to be at home because of all the corona measurements and now even a curfew. It is sad. But at the moment I love watching RuPaul’s Drag Race because it is cult, it is an explosion of colors, creativity, and super artsy. Can’t stop watching it.