Marco Brown has recently returned from a trip to Moscow, where he was invited to be a juror on a panel at a televised national children’s art and talent competition in which some of his artwork was awarded to the first prizewinner and runners-up. He was delighted at having been given this opportunity to work with youngsters with psychological problems, some of which had even been involved in the Beslan terrorist attack. Marco is over the moon with his visit where he also set up an exhibition in the Russian capital, which is ongoing for the next two months. His summer schedule, in spite of the heat has been a very busy one as he is involved in joint ongoing exhibitions at the Royal Malta Yacht Club at Manoel Island, which will go on well into September. He is also currently participating together with another five artists in a collective exhibition titled Mélange at Cleland and Souchet, Portomaso until the end of this month. There is every possibility of a final summer exhibition on the island at Camilleri Paris Mode in Sliema before he leaves to spend a few months in the United Kingdom

n How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

I am 35, born on 10 December 1969, just about a child of the 1960s.

n Significant other? Children?

Still not married although I am living with my partner in a long-term relationship.

n What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

I’d like to have opened my own art gallery in one of my favourite cities and have opened a café/library bar by the sea where visitors can read, enjoy artwork, discuss and debate over mint tea and oriental pastries.

n What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Feeling free without time restrictions and deadlines and living life to the full.

n What is your favourite occupation?

Painting to good music with a good glass of wine by my side.

n What is your greatest fear?

Having my life taken away from me for no reason.

n What is it that you most value in your friends?

Honesty, understanding and trust.

n How would you like to die?

In my bed overlooking the sea at a summer dawn or dusk.

n What is your greatest extravagance?

Going on holiday to Paris and just spontaneously jetting off to Tel Aviv for the weekend but that was not to show off but to go and see my partner who was over there. We were to have met up in Paris but he couldn’t make it.

n What is your greatest regret?

Leaving my dog Nam Noum in Scotland when I went over there to help a friend in distress.

n What is your most treasured possession?

My mehkavah, which is a lucky charm. I wear it around my neck and never leaves me.

n Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

I would love to be able to play the drums, especially the darbuka. I’m hoping to take it up this summer.

n What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being homeless, hungry and poor in an unknown

environment without the support of friends must be ghastly.

n Where would you like to live?

In a small house overlooking the sea, on a cliff or hill… possibly in a place like Essaourira in Morocco or on a small Greek island and I would need to have a large terrace on which I would paint in the open air.

n What is your most marked characteristic?

Being passionate and extreme but then again what do you expect of an artist?

n Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

Those unsung heroes and heroines who fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination.

n What is it that you most dislike?

Intolerance and hypocrisy and those who take others for a ride intentionally.

n What is your motto?

Well I like an expression in French, which roughly translates in “it is better to be alone than in bad company” but as a well known motto I’d have to go for “live and let live”.