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Talented 16-Year-Old Artist Turns Her Wildest Dreams Into Paintings
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Talented 16-Year-Old Artist Turns Her Wildest Dreams Into Paintings

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These beautiful paintings are the work of 16-year-old Dimitra Milan, who started painting just four years ago. Daughter to two artists, Milan was exposed to art from a young age, and even chose to be homeschooled so that she could dedicate more time to polish her painting techniques. Now an early high-school graduate and professional painter, Milan shared some of her thoughts about her parents:

“My parents have given me a lot of advice about painting and the creative process,” Milan told Bored Panda. “They have taught me work ethic, and about my identity as an artist. They taught me to be defined from the inside, not the outside. That I find my identity in God, and not what the world or people think about me. I know that beauty starts from within before it manifests where it can be seen.

Concerning the creative process, they have taught me that hitting a wall is a natural part of growth as an artist. When you get stuck or frustrated, you take risks and push through until you break through the wall, and find a discovery. This has helped me get out of my comfort zone and increase my skills rapidly.”

Read the rest of our interview with the gifted child below her colorful paintings!

More info: dimitramilan.com | Facebook | Instagram (h/t: mymodernmet)

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Interview with Dimitra Milan:

“I am the oldest of my three other siblings. I have two sisters and a brother. My parents who were high school sweethearts are also established, professional artists. My heritage is part Greek. I lived in Greece for a year, and I went to kindergarten there. I have a deep connection and love for that country. I have lived in Arizona my whole life, and have always loved animals. My parents say that I have asked them for a farm since I could talk. Now I have a horse, a dairy goat, a cockatiel, dogs, cats, and chickens. How I got started with my surreal paintings, is my parents opened an art school, and I began taking all of the classes. I was 12 when I became interested in painting. After I got over a few hurdles, I picked it up quickly.”

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“My parents have given me a lot of advice about creating beautiful art and the creative process. They have taught me a work ethic, and about my identity as an artist. They taught me to be defined from the inside, not the outside. That I find my identity in God, and not what the world or people think about me. I know that beauty starts from within before it manifests where it can be seen. Concerning the creative process, they have taught me that hitting a wall is a natural part of growth as an artist. When you get stuck or frustrated, you take risks and push through until you break through the wall, and find a discovery. This has helped me get out of my comfort zone and increase my skills rapidly.”

“I paint what I see as beautiful, noble, true, and worthy. I paint women because they are beautiful, and they represent how I feel. I paint animals as symbols and believe they represent a deeper meaning. I’m not always aware of their meaning. I paint what I am attracted to at the moment from an inner need to see what my image looks on the canvas. The painting tells me what it means like there is a divine voice inside of it that tells me its mysteries. Sometimes what I paint is from what I have dreamt at night. Lately, I have dreamt of being underwater and seeing glistening light sparkling above me. Below me were hundreds of stingrays with red and black backs. Like Vincent Van Gogh, “I paint my dreams, and I dream my surreal paintings.”

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“My process is a classical foundation with contemporary techniques. I aim to make my paintings look free and effortless; loose, not tight and over-labored. I want the forms to be rendered and anatomically correct but fading into abstract brushstrokes. I have learned about the frequency of color and how some pigments move away and some come forward. I try to create depth, beauty, and emotion through different frequencies of pigments. I love colors that are soft and atmospheric. I paint from my sketches and several photographs. I love to draw with inks and discover new ways to make marks.”

“I hope that viewers feel invited to live inside the paintings and encounter a presence of beauty. I want them to feel that anything is possible, empowered, and free. I want them to get a sense of divine love and find a dreamy realm where they are inspired and uplifted.”

Bored Panda would like to thank Dimitra Milan for taking the time to answer our questions!

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cheryl avatar
Cheryl
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are very talented, Dimitra. Love the colors and your perspective. Keep livin' the dream :)

ameliamartin_1 avatar
Amelia Martin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are amazing! I can't believe i didn't click on this article before! I have had the Wolf Self-Portrait first image as a background on my phone/laptop on and off for years!!! Inspirational!

hilariomonzon avatar
Hilario Monzon
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

En tu magnífica ínter pretacion es un ejemplo más del maravilloso mundo que se vive en el interior de cada ser. Y gracias a ti que nos das la maravilla de verlo.

send_it_here avatar
AshleighJohnson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous. I'd like to use the wolf painting as my Facebook icon, but it that seems like it would be doing it a disservice. I may just have to buy the one (if it's up for sale)!

lilian_hinn avatar
LolyHinn
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg this is amazing i will see then every day to the rest of my life love them

ant1 avatar
Ant1
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sublimissime !!! CONGRATULATIONS ! I want one of these paints (the Girl and the Tiger) !

musicvisionsound avatar
Michelle
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely stunning artwork https://www.riffsy.com/view/caption/neAiBWUb7U4H

steve_sheets_73 avatar
SteveSheets
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like it. What talent! What an imagination. What a connection to our environment.

bapriga avatar
bapriga
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her artwork is beautiful, but I would prefer to see some without the female subject. Some how the female element makes the art too commercial. They [females] are too "glam". Perhaps human subjects that are children or the elderly could add an element of innocence or wisdom. That said, I still love the talent this artist shares with us.

mecatteame avatar
ThunderTeaSleepBooks
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are a great inspiration to young artists such as yourself. Be proud! :)

smileyrie avatar
SmileyRie
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Talented artist. Love seeing art that hasn't been constrained by others teachings

kipoteam42 avatar
NehraLee
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you are quite the inspiration i needed to move on ♥·♥ In 22 Jan i turned 16 (^-^) i hope one day i would be able to paint my imaginations like you♥·♥ Great work!!

cheryl avatar
Cheryl
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are very talented, Dimitra. Love the colors and your perspective. Keep livin' the dream :)

ameliamartin_1 avatar
Amelia Martin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are amazing! I can't believe i didn't click on this article before! I have had the Wolf Self-Portrait first image as a background on my phone/laptop on and off for years!!! Inspirational!

hilariomonzon avatar
Hilario Monzon
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

En tu magnífica ínter pretacion es un ejemplo más del maravilloso mundo que se vive en el interior de cada ser. Y gracias a ti que nos das la maravilla de verlo.

send_it_here avatar
AshleighJohnson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous. I'd like to use the wolf painting as my Facebook icon, but it that seems like it would be doing it a disservice. I may just have to buy the one (if it's up for sale)!

lilian_hinn avatar
LolyHinn
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg this is amazing i will see then every day to the rest of my life love them

ant1 avatar
Ant1
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sublimissime !!! CONGRATULATIONS ! I want one of these paints (the Girl and the Tiger) !

musicvisionsound avatar
Michelle
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely stunning artwork https://www.riffsy.com/view/caption/neAiBWUb7U4H

steve_sheets_73 avatar
SteveSheets
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like it. What talent! What an imagination. What a connection to our environment.

bapriga avatar
bapriga
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her artwork is beautiful, but I would prefer to see some without the female subject. Some how the female element makes the art too commercial. They [females] are too "glam". Perhaps human subjects that are children or the elderly could add an element of innocence or wisdom. That said, I still love the talent this artist shares with us.

mecatteame avatar
ThunderTeaSleepBooks
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are a great inspiration to young artists such as yourself. Be proud! :)

smileyrie avatar
SmileyRie
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Talented artist. Love seeing art that hasn't been constrained by others teachings

kipoteam42 avatar
NehraLee
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you are quite the inspiration i needed to move on ♥·♥ In 22 Jan i turned 16 (^-^) i hope one day i would be able to paint my imaginations like you♥·♥ Great work!!

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