Interview-Eliran Eran

Q) How did your journey as an artist begin? 

A) My journey as an artist began when I was a small child, around six or seven years old. My grandfather taught me how to draw nature and landscapes using graphite and charcoal, and throughout my childhood and teenage years, I devoted myself to refining those techniques, creating mostly landscape and nature artworks. As a teenager, my creative path expanded - I became a writer and a musician: a guitarist, songwriter, composer, and poet. At the age of twenty-four, my life changed drastically. Due to a rare bone disease, my entire spine was crushed - every single vertebra. Among many other consequences, the injury severely damaged the fine motor skills in my hands. I lost the ability to draw, to play musical instruments, and with them, I believed I had lost my identity as an artist. For nearly ten years, I truly thought that part of my life was gone forever. Then, a few years ago, everything changed again. Through technological advancements, I found my way back into the world of creation. I taught myself new digital skills and techniques that returned to me the ability to create — an ability I had lost for a full decade and honestly believed I would never reclaim. Q) What are the different forms of artworks that you do? A) Today, I work across several artistic disciplines. I am primarily a digital artist, creating original drawings and paintings in digital form. I am also a photographer and videographer, and I actively work in photo and video editing as part of my creative process. I am still a musician and a writer as well. Although I can no longer play the guitar or any physical musical instrument due to my injury, music remains a vital part of my inner world and creative identity. Alongside my visual work, I am currently writing a book that tells the story of my life and my long struggle for survival - nearly two decades of fighting for my life and repeatedly winning over death. Through sharing my story, I hope to inspire others who face physical, emotional, or life-altering challenges, as well as anyone moving through dark or uncertain times. If the last nineteen years have taught me anything,

it is this: no matter how shattered the path may feel, there is always a place for hope - and always a way to rebuild what was broken or thought to be lost. 

Q) Can you tell more about your artworks? 

A) My artworks-primarily digital drawing and painting, which form the core of my creative practice-begin as a kind of emotional therapy. Through them, I express feelings and inner states that are often impossible for me to describe with words alone. Visually, my work blends surrealism with symbolic storytelling, often using light, shadow, and mythic imagery to embody emotional states. Each piece is deeply connected to my personal story, and almost every artwork is accompanied by an original poetic quote or text that adds another emotional layer and offers a direct glimpse into my inner world. Through my art, I am opening a window into my personal landscape of emotions in a way I was never able to do before. 

Q) What is idea behind your art and what does it signifies from a layman perspective? 

A) The main intention behind my art is not only self-expression, but also connection and inspiration-especially for those facing physical, emotional, or life-altering challenges, as well as anyone moving through dark or uncertain periods of life. In this sense, my visual art and the book I am currently writing share the same purpose. For the last nineteen years, I have been fighting to survive. I know from personal experience how much easier that journey could have been if I had encountered this kind of inspiration during my own darkest moments. That is why today, I try to become for others what I once needed myself— to remind them that even in the deepest struggle, hope, rebuilding, and meaning are still possible. Many viewers tell me my work speaks the emotions they could never articulate. If it reaches even one person—if it helps even one soul feel seen-that, to me, is the truest success.

Q)What is that one line of quote that you abide by in your life or you would like others to follow?

 A) The one line I truly live by comes from my artwork "The Man Who Carried the Moon": "Gratitude is the best rebellion against despair." To me, this line holds an entire life philosophy. We all carry our own weight through time. We build armor to survive, only to discover that true strength often begins when that armor cracks. No one can stop us from gathering our broken pieces and rebuilding-except ourselves. Sometimes all it takes is a single moment of courage to bend down, lift what is shattered, and rebuild with love and faith, even when our hands tremble. Even when broken, we are still whole. There is beauty everywhere-even in pain-far more than our eyes were ever meant to comprehend. So l choose to meet the world with gratitude: for life itself, for every morning I am allowed to wake up, for my friends, my family, and for the immeasurable gift of love. 

Q)Please tell us a bit about an artwork of yours which you like the most?

 A) One of the artworks most meaningful to me is "Beyond the Reaper's Grip." I created it earlier this year to mark the nineteenth anniversary of the first time I lost my breath completely, went through CPR, and returned to life. I was born with asthma, but nineteen years ago its severity changed dramatically. Since then, I have faced countless near-fatal attacks that required emergency intubation and mechanical ventilation. Twice, I stopped breathing entirely and had to be resuscitated. "Beyond the Reaper's Grip" is my way of honoring those nineteen years of fighting for my life - and surviving. In the artwork, I depict death, the Grim Reaper himself, as a frail, weakened figure confined to a wheelchair: sick, frustrated, and powerless. In many ways, I portrayed him exactly as I had been during my worst battles, turning my own vulnerability into a symbol of triumph. In this piece, death is the one who is defeated. It is my visual declaration that every time life tried to end, I found a way to rise again.

Q)How have you been keeping up during the pandemic and what are the new things that you have started? 

A) The pandemic years were extremely difficult for me. Because I suffer from a severe, life-threatening form of asthma, I had to be extraordinarily careful. I could not leave my home except for unavoidable emergencies, and I had to distance myself completely from my support circle - my family and friends — since many of them contracted COVID-19 multiple times. For me, catching the virus would have meant almost certain death. The most painful experience during that time was losing my grandmother. She became ill very suddenly and passed away only two months later. She wasn't just my grandmother - she was my closest friend, the person who raised me with love, and in many ways, the mother figure I never truly had. Because of the immense risk to my life, I couldn't visit her during those months, not even once. Although she always understood my medical condition, in her final weeks she was no longer fully coherent and couldn't understand why I wasn't there. Knowing she felt hurt - even out of confusion - is something that still weighs heavily on me today. At the same time, I was still undergoing a long surgical and rehabilitation process. I wasn't in a place, physically or emotionally, to begin anything new. Those years were about survival, grief, and holding on. 

Q) What are the challenges you face while working on any artwork?

 A) I face two main challenges whenever I work on an artwork - one physical and one emotional. 1. Physical Challenges: As I mentioned earlier, my spinal injury and rare bone condition severely damaged the fine motor skills in my hands. This makes precise drawing and detailed work extremely difficult. In addition, the injuries to my spine and bones cause intense, sometimes paralyzing pain that can last for days or even weeks. When the pain peaks, any creative process becomes nearly impossible, and l am forced to pause my work until my body allows me to continue. 2. Emotional Challenges: Many of my artworks require me to confront memories, emotions, and inner experiences that are painful or deeply personal. Even with the best intentions, facing these feelings can be overwhelming. I often need to step away and return to the same piece over many days - sometimes weeks or even months - before I am emotionally ready to finish it. I usually try to process as much as I can during the planning stage, but some emotions only emerge once I begin creating. What helps me the most in overcoming these emotional challenges is the unwavering support of my beloved partner. Her presence and encouragement are the reason I found my way back into the world of art in the first place, and she continues to be my greatest source of strength.

Q) What is the thought process while choosing your next artwork? 

A) My process for choosing the subject of my next artwork is not a traditional one. I rarely sit down and plan a piece in advance. Instead, my inspiration usually arises from an emotional necessity - an overwhelming feeling, whether painful or uplifting, that I need to express in order to understand or process it. At other times, I choose a subject because there is a specific memory or life experience I want to translate into art, especially when I feel it may offer inspiration or strength to others. In either case, my process almost always begins with writing. I start by capturing the emotions I'm feeling in that moment, or the emotions remember from the experience I want to portray. I write notes, fragments, and poetic reflections that eventually evolve into the quote or text accompanying the artwork. This writing phase helps me confront and navigate the emotional challenges before I even begin the visual creation. When needed, I talk through the concept with my partner, whose emotional support — and professional insight as a graphic designer and artist - often helps me clarify my vision. Once I feel I have processed the emotional weight of the subject through writing and reflection, I move on to the visual stage and begin shaping the artwork itself.

 Q)What are the best resources that have helped you in your way? 

A) The greatest resource that helped me return to the world of visual art has been technology. In the years when I was confined to bed and unable to draw traditionally, a high-end tablet became my gateway back into creativity. It allowed me to explore digital art despite my physical Limitations. Over time, as digital tools, software, and hardware continued to evolve, my creative possibilities expanded with them. The combination of modern devices and advanced art software gradually made it possible for me to create again - in ways I once believed were lost to me forever.

 Q) What advice would you give to a young artist following in your steps? 

A) The best advice I can offer to a young artist following a path like mine is this: never accept physical or emotional limitations as the end of your artistic journey. For ten years, I believed my life as an artist was over — until I discovered new forms of creation I never imagined were possible.

Never tell yourself "I can't." Never treat failure as final. As long as the desire to create is alive within you, the only true obstacle is the one you place in front of yourself. Even if you face physical limitations, as I do, technology today offers countless ways to adapt, reinvent, and continue creating. And even if a solution doesn't exist yet, it may exist in the future. I waited a full decade before the tools I needed finally appeared. Patience, hope, and persistence matter. It's also important to mention something | learned the hard way: for many years, I doubted myself and didn't give myself the credit I deserved. Those doubts limited me far more than my physical condition ever did. As I often say, "No one can stop us from gathering our pieces and rebuilding - except ourselves." We are often our own biggest obstacle. If you want others to believe in your talent, you must first believe in yourself. No one can do that part for you. 

Q) Who is your Inspiration? 

A) Unfortunately, I never had an artistic source of inspiration-especially not one that reflected my physical condition or the challenges I faced. I'm not saying such artists don't exist, but if they do, I never knew about them. And I wish I had, because having someone to look up to who shared a similar struggle would have made my path much easier, particularly on an emotional level. That absence is one of the main reasons I try to become a source of inspiration myself. I know firsthand how essential it is to feel seen, understood, and encouraged when your circumstances make you feel isolated. While I didn't have an artistic role model, I did have powerful emotional sources of inspiration. The first is my beloved father, who also experienced severe, life-changing physical injuries-different from mine, but similar in the depth of their impact. His strength shaped my own. The second is my partner, whose love, our story together, and her unwavering support continually inspire my creativity and my resilience. And finally, my own survival story inspires me every day. It reminds me of the battles I've fought, the life I've reclaimed, and the responsibility I feel to pass that strength onward.

Q)Would you like to tell about your achievements?

 A) I see myself as standing at the beginning of my renewed artistic path, so I don't feel that I have major artistic achievements yet in the traditional sense. But returning to art after a decade of believing it was impossible is already a deeply personal milestone. My hope is that my first public or professional achievements will come soon - and more importantly, that my work will reach and inspire others. For me, that will be the achievement that matters most. 

Q)Can you tell us about the process of making your artwork in short?

 A) My creative process always begins with emotion and memory. My life from age 17 to 37 has been a continuous journey of physical and emotional survival, and my artworks often emerge from an overwhelming feeling I want to express - whether from the present or from a difficult chapter in my past. Before anything visual happens, I process the emotions connected to the subject. Over the years l've learned to understand my feelings deeply, whether through therapy, personal reflection, or conversations with loved ones. I begin by writing everything: the emotions I feel, the memories I carry, and the message I want the artwork to convey. From these notes, I shape a poetic text that becomes the emotional core of the piece. Sometimes, the subject is too heavy and I need days, weeks, or even months before I'm ready to portray it visually. When needed, I talk about it with my partner, whose emotional and artistic support helps me clarify my direction. Once l am ready, I move to the visual stage. I usually try to complete the artwork in one continuous flow, because my strongest inspiration comes from the emotions of that moment. If I pause midway, I sometimes lose that intensity - which is why certain pieces take longer to finish. In the final step, I return to my written text and refine it into a poetic story, poem, or poetic quote. This adds a deeper emotional dimension to the artwork and opens a window for the viewer into my inner thoughts and feelings, allowing them to experience not only the image but the emotional 

truth behind it. In short: I write first, feel deeply, process the story behind the emotion, create visually from that truth, and finally give the artwork its poetic voice. 

Q)What's coming up for you ,what are you working on? 

A) Right now, I'm focused on building my name and identity as an artist while continually refining and expanding my creative techniques. I'm also preparing for my first art exhibition, which I hope will be the beginning of many more opportunities to share my work with the world. I hope to develop a series exhibition exploring the BelliranER universe in depth. Alongside my visual art, I'm working on the most significant project of my life: a book about my personal journey of survival, resilience, and rediscovery. This book is not only a reflection of my past, but also an extension of my mission as an artist. Ultimately, my goal is to reach people worldwide - not for personal recognition alone, but to offer the inspiration and hope that I desperately needed in my darkest years but could never find. If my art, my story, or my book can help even one person feel less alone or find strength to continue, I will consider that my greatest success. That is the achievement I strive for above all.