"Art Begins with Freedom"

When I was around 8 years old, I drew all over the walls of my bedroom with markers, while my grandparents were away. My grandmother was, to put it mildly, very upset with my masterpiece, but my grandfather saved me, jokingly or seriously saying that I would become an artist. And so, I was saved...

Another unforgettable moment in my journey occurred when I was expelled from school in the 8th grade due to poor performance and behavioral issues, and I was no longer welcome there. However, my art teacher invited me to her classes, giving me the opportunity to further develop my skills. It turned out I wasn’t as hopeless as I thought...

Hello and welcome!

My name is Raimond Kukuškin. I was born on September 22, 1983, in the city of Kohtla-Järve, Estonia. I’m a workaholic who sometimes learns how to rest. I am constantly searching because I don’t believe in boundaries. I love to paint, write, sing, and do anything related to creativity. In life, I don’t choose the easy paths.

One day, I will open my own observatory of meditative art to show you the cosmos within yourself.

As you may have guessed, this text is about my creative journey, which is deeply influenced by my complex character and views. These constantly push me toward self-expression, seeking opportunities to evolve, because, for many things, I struggle to adapt. But when something sparks my interest, I can’t stop working on it-tearing apart drafts, sketching endlessly, until I get it right.

I hope to support those already engaged in art and those who doubt they have a creative soul within them. Trust me, we all have it, and if I can do it, so can you! Starting is like walking into the gym for the first time, where it feels like everyone is watching you with a judgmental eye, but in reality, they’ve all started from the same place. What they’re really thinking is: how long can you keep this up?

So, let me share a little about my journey:

I’ve been drawing since I can remember. In school, I doodled in every lesson (probably because all the other subjects were dry and taught without enthusiasm, failing to captivate my attention). I drew in notebooks, diaries, on the arms of classmates, on the walls at home, and in stairwells (yes, a bit of vandalism too)…

Actually, I’ve done other things in my life besides drawing. As a child, I worked with my grandfather on the farm-everything from herding cattle to mucking out stables, in a meat factory, chopping wood, changing tires, working in an office, and even on construction sites as a laborer, and at a metal recycling point. All of that was so interesting that I could sleep through it all and just give up. The consequences weren’t exemplary...

But thankfully, my lifeline was the pencil and pen. I drew a lot, and eventually, I decided to finish 12th grade to pursue art at an academy. Though I haven’t made it to an art academy yet, I’ve created opportunities for myself.

Later, by fate’s hand, tattooing entered my life, and it gradually encouraged me to experiment and develop in different techniques and styles. Around 2012, I discovered acrylic paints. The hardest part was getting used to a paintbrush after being so accustomed to pens and pencils, which felt more precise and obedient under my hand.

At some point, everything in my head became a blur-crises, overwork, self-searching, and other factors that eventually led me to a psychology course, yoga, and meditative music therapy. I’m truly grateful to everyone and everything that brought me here. This is how I found a new artistic path for myself—meditative art. My work gained a new life and understanding-art begins with freedom.

Freedom, in this sense, means that I just do what comes naturally, trusting the process. I don’t try to meet others' expectations or chase after something external, because that would only take me further away from myself. And this attitude has allowed me to embrace new knowledge, understand myself better, and be more sustainable, exchanging experiences with others who are searching for answers, and above all, being open to something new in myself-to discover a better version of myself.

Through meditative art, one can achieve freedom. By splashing colors, the creator within awakens, allowing themselves to be moody, playful, funny, sad, happy, and most importantly, a dreamer-even when they make mistakes. Turning off the inner critic and being a student, enjoying the process for its own sake. Letting the colors flow as the soul pleases. And in that, there is magic that begins to work inside you…

We often need some form of nudge or affirmation for what is already within us... We just need to find someone who speaks our language. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it helps you achieve better results and believe in yourself. If your intentions are good, there are no boundaries.

I remember when I finished high school, I had to learn the rules of English grammar. I had a goal, and I was determined. But it took three textbooks to understand the rules. The same rule was written in completely different ways in each book. I don’t know who wrote those, but I am thankful for the third chance…

This material is for anyone who is passionate about something-whether as a hobby or professionally. I’ve noticed that answers and inspiration don’t always come from the same field you work in. You might wonder, what do a cook and an artist, an athlete and a bricklayer have in common? Actually, a lot-if you can see the parallel in their approach to something with heart: preparation, guiding thoughts, end results, the process, and once again, intentions...

Let’s try to find the answers within ourselves: am I doing what I love? Does this contribution and unconscious glue, base, or dough have the energetic quality that carries on and reaches the heart, sending out more energy because the right thing cannot be faked? This action calls to you, grabs you, makes your eyes sparkle, helps you grow, inspires others, captivates, and even changes your day or your life…

Considering that life demands its course, schools have their agendas, life requires corrections, and sometimes everything turns upside down, while the material side needs to be satisfied, the question remains: does this all truly make us happy? On a deeper level, all of this affects us, but does it make us sustainable?

Someone once said something like this: Whatever you do, it must reach a level where it becomes a creative and creative process, so that your knowledge and observations can be shared. Only then does it truly benefit the environment you are shaping...

Where do you find the time? Why are you doing this? Does it need long thought or explanation to anyone if you constantly feel that pull? You just need to take a step. A nudge-a film, video, song, a conversation with a friend... A sentence, words from someone who speaks your language, and that's where it all begins (find them! There’s so much information now). It’s like a mission. You have more energy, you smile more, and the time you dedicate to something that feels right makes you feel alive...

You have time every day to do something small, I know!!! Break your task into smaller pieces. Add a little more next week so that fatigue doesn’t steal your desire to keep moving forward.

Drawing one small detail teaches a lot: patience, attention, and gives a positive feeling when you see it coming together.

And remember: minimum equals maximum. Allow yourself to be a student.

With best wishes, Raimond Kukuškin.