Elena Tsigaridou, visual artist

Published by Leonardo Calcagno

Who are you :

I am Elena Tsigaridou, a visual artist.

Your current job :

My greatest passion is my work as visual artist. I also work as an art tutor at the private school American Academy in Larnaca and I am very proud to be managing the Art and Design School Ispirazione in the Afternoon.

In which city are you located?

I am located in Athienou and Larnaca in the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus.

A word to define what kind of worker you are :

Curious. Curious of all the possible outcomes that a piece of work can have. During the creative process I try so many different solutions, compositions and even media. I have long conversations with friend artists whose opinion I value, I do lots of research and I only stop when the outcome feels right. Usually it is after endless hours of work because my style is very detailed.

What does your office space look like?

I have a great love for my work space. Huge windows with plenty of natural light, lots of plants and lots of positive energy.

What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?

Most of the time I work in silence. Sometimes though I like to listen to jazz or motivational videos.

Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?

I wish! Let’s say I am working on it…

What tips would you give to improve productivity?

I believe you can improve productivity if you manage to stay focused. One of my greatest goals is to ‘discipline’ my attention!

You’re better than your colleagues to :

I see uniqueness in everyone and believe it is unfair to compare things that are different. I can identify my strong points but I could not compare myself to my colleagues.

What is the best advice anyone has given you?

I feel blessed to have met really inspiring people who have offered me so much but the first that comes to my mind is what my grandfather used to say. I very vividly remember him telling me how important it is to know yourself. As we Greeks say ‘Γνώθι Σ’εαυτόν’- ‘Know yourself’. It took me a lot of years to understand his words and I am still learning!

What is your best tip for saving time ?

First decide on what is important for each day and then actually focus on what is important. It is a real challenge.

What is your routine start and end of the day?

I wake up at 6, usually have breakfast in the car on my way to the American Academy. I am usually home at 14.30 for lunch. Until 5 it is family time with my 2 boys. On some afternoons I manage the Art and Design School Ispirazione. Usually have family dinner at 20.00. I read bedtime stories to my boys and then it is time to focus on me.

I spend long hours painting, reading, researching sometimes I even do ‘nothing’.