Freelance artist Rupert Cefai talks to Marie Benoit about his art, Argentinian tango and his next event at the Hotel Phoenicia

Rupert was born in a military hospital in 1971 and raised in St Julian’s. Art has always been present in his life. Painting is what he does, it is how he expresses himself and interprets life; some people talk, others write or compose music, he uses colour. The canvas is his little universe. He starts from a void space and generates something, like a little god creating in his little cosmos. It’s this creative process that keeps him focused, it gives him the liberty and freedom which art gives the artist, the power of creation. Art satisfies his need to be creative with minimal constraints, he explains. It gives him the freedom to express himself; it is a medium to channel his creativity.

His father worked at the department of culture and so, when he was a child he was lucky enough to be exposed to numerous art exhibitions. Slowly but increasingly, as he got older he became more interested in art and at secondary school level he had a number of local artists teaching him the subject, most importantly painter Harry Alden and ceramicists Paul Haber and Joe Grima. Later on he also had the privilege to study under Alfred Chircop. Harry Alden taught him what painting is; he taught him that it is not enough to know how to paint but you need to know your media; the paints, the canvasses, the materials and tools you use. Chircop infected him with something different, a virus called passion. He taught him that technique is not enough, art needs passion.

Rupert’s work reflects his own enjoyment of all subjects ranging from the human figure through to abstracts and landscapes. He is fascinated with that blend and balance in art that stands on the line between the real and the abstract, trying his utmost to portray this in his work.

Before he decided to become a freelance artist he spent 14 years as an interior designer until he finally said he had had enough.

His working hours are quite long and he generally starts at about 7:30-8am and stops painting at 6 or 7pm. Work includes maintaining/updating his own websites, research on projects he is working on at the time, marketing, dealing with art galleries and painting. Most people just see the romantic side of art, the creative part, he comments. But to make a living out of it you need to spend long hours working on boring stuff like marketing and administration. A teacher once told him art is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. He thinks this observation is true.

Rupert has a passion for Argentinian tango, plays a game or two of football a week and tries to visit the gym at least twice a week.

A collaborative event between Jazz musician/singer David Paquette and

Rupert will take place on on Thursday 22, Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September from 8pm to 10.30pm. David and Rupert will be performing live, David on his piano and Rupert interpreting David’s jazz using paint and canvas. The event will be held at Palm Court Lounge, Hotel Phoenicia, Floriana. Entrance is free. For more information please visit http://rupertcefaiblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/spirtupront-translating-jazz-into.html

I have Dorothy, my life partner, my father Robert, mother Monica, sister Simone, niece and nephew Rachelle and Jean-Pierre and a companion on four legs Knots.

I love eating … I love eating! Nothing else to add!

When I have some time to spare I enjoy dancing Tango.

My favourite holiday destination is Rome for the history, London for contemporary art.

One living person I admire is artist Gabriel Orozco, (born April 27, 1962) the Mexican artist, who in 1998 was called ‘one of the most influential artists of this decade, and probably the next one too.’

A character in fiction I like very much is Fantozzi, there’s a Fantozzi in each and every one of us.

If I could change one thing about myself it would be to be less passionate, especially about frivolous things.

The writers I like best are Douglas Adams, Jim Crace, Alessandro Baricco, Umberto Eco, Pierre J. Mejlak... the list is too long.

My dream job is doing what I do.

My kind of music is anything – from classical to alternative rock, from Jazz to 1930s and 40s Tango.

If I won the lottery I would travel the world.

My motto is ‘Live and let Live’.