Luciano is one of those individuals who never needed to choose his career. Since he was a child he always drew and painted, and it was done with so much ardour and enthusiasm, that he kept doing it ever since. Art chose him. At age 11, he studied art privately, later attended the school of art, until he finally won a scholarship from the Italian government to study art at the Academy of Arts in Florence for four years. Over a long period of time Luciano’s realistic style of painting evolved into one of total abstraction, using bold and colourful compositions. Luciano has designed postage stamps, posters, book covers, trophies and catalogues. He is also well known for his portraits. He has been commissioned to paint various prominent personalities like the President of Malta, the Prime Minister of Malta, Luciano Benetton, Gilberto Benetton, Oliviero Toscani, Ornella Muti and many others. In 1990 he was awarded a fellowship by the Virginia Centre for the Creative Arts in USA, which was followed by another award for an International Visitors Programme visiting various important art institutions throughout the USA. Shortly after, Luciano was invited as an artist-in-residence at Luther College in Iowa, USA. A book was published by the University of Malta in 1993 entitled Luciano Micallef: A study by Kenneth Wain. He has exhibited in museums and private galleries in Europe, Asia and the USA. In 1996 Luciano inaugurated Gallery 5, his own private gallery located in San Pawl Tat-Targa, Malta.

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

Fifty, Scorpio, 1 November 1954.

Significant other? Children?

Chiara, 21 years old.

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

Painting.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

To find a balance between what I desire and what I can afford.

What is your favourite occupation?

Painting.

n What is your greatest fear?

To be stopped from painting, because of some disability.

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Consistency.

How would you like to die?

In front of a canvas with a brush in hand.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Free time, doing nothing.

What is your greatest regret?

None, the present is more concerning.

What is your most treasured possession?

My very own paintings.

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

I always desired to play the piano.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Losing the purpose of living.

Where would you like to live?

Where I already live.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Consistency.

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

All those who dedicate their life to those who are in need.

What is it that you most dislike?

Glorified stupidity.

What is your motto?

What you can do tomorrow, do it immediately.