What is the best thing that I love about my work? Creating Worlds, characters and stories

What is my idea of perfect happiness? Being able to make a living from my art/stories

What is my greatest fear? Not being able to make art physically or mentally

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I can be pretty impatient

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? Adrian Smith (artist) , Karl Kopinski, Marko djurdjevic

What is my greatest extravagance? Caring little about what other could think about my work, but instead of that making the art i like. I believe that the most personal art is the best art anyway and from experience it shows in people’s reactions.

On what occasion would I lie? If it wouldnt hurt someone too much

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Needing to promote yourself constantly and hunt for jobs all the time.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When i reached a professional quality, with this piece: http://joelchaimholtzman.com/gawain.html

If I could, what would I change about myself? Being more proactive with social events.conventions, especially outside the Netherlands

What is my greatest achievement in work? Reaching a professional quality in a relative short time, due to hard work and external mentorship.

What do the words ‘The Financial Freedom to Create’ mean to me? Not worry about rent, doing recreational stuff once in a while and being able to make art constantly.

Where would I most like to live? Netherlands, at the edge of Alphen a/d Rijn where its the most quiet.

What is my most treasured possession? My pc and my tablet, my tools to paint.

What is my most marked characteristic? I do not care too much about what other people could think about the work that i will make, i just do it. I dig deep enough to see what i find and make just make it.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The center, an ideal place to take a stroll, listen music, watch people and just daydream

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? Délifrance, Alphen a.d Rijn

What books influenced my life and how? ”De Magister” by ”Guus Houtzager”. A simple book i found in a flea market and it guided my creative life a lot. It blurs the lines between the bible, mythology and history to create something new through short
stories. All these things i utilize in my own work as well.

Who are my favorite writers? George RR Martin, Alan Moore, Frank Miller

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
”Moth” by Audioslave. A song about a metaphorical moth who attempts to reach the fire time and time again, each time falling down in the process.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Walter White, from Breaking Bad. because he pursues his goals at all cost.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Vincent van Gogh because he pursues his artistic goal despite his harsh situation, Genghis Khan because
he managed to become the most powerful man ever from mere nothing, and Adrian Smith/Karl Kopinski, Fenghua Zhong because they mastered the artistic direction i aim to pursue.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? The Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowsky. A Superdetailed spiritual trip with a deeper meaning to
think about for days to come.

What role plays art in my life and work? To me the lines are blurred between the 3.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My Parents

Whom would I like to work with in 2017? Wizards of the Coast

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017? Stephen Silver. He makes completely different art than me, but i respect his way of thinking and doing.

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on? My own Intellectual property from my own fantasyworld

Where can you see me or my work in 2017? 29 juli i have an opening of an exposition at the American Book Center in the Hague. The expo’s duration is 1 month.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Being able to, when it comes to me make things that are aligned with your passion for the rest of your life

Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story? Hendrik Visser, a pal of mine with some great artistic skills.

How can you contact me?
http://www.joelchaimholtzman.com
https://www.facebook.com/joel.holtzman.9