Ilona Royce Smithkin is a painter, performer and fashion muse based in New York. At 93 years old, Ilona is inspiring the world through her positive attitude to life, style and creativity. She is involved in many creative projects, including “Advanced Style”, created by Ari Seth Cohen. The project celebrates New York fashion and aims to prove that both style and beauty advance with age. Ilona spoke to Stuart Russell B.E.M in July 2013.
What is creativity to you? Creativity is finding the solution to things, inventing ideas and creating concepts.
Is there anyone or anything that influence your drive to be creative? Everything influences my drive to be creative, everything and anything.
Describe your work in three words? Joyful in looks!
Do you think creativity has limits? It has no limits at all.
Colour seems to be a huge part of your image, does colour transcend into the work you create? Of course, colour is a huge part of my life, it definitely transcends into my paintings.
Is feeling free important to you? Absolutely!
What are you doing when you are not being creative? Sleeping!
Do you find inspiration in chaos, or do you need complete calm? The world is chaotic but I do find inspiration in the calm.
Do you have any tips or inspiring words for other creative people out there? Learn. It’s all about working, work at your creativity and study as you go.
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