What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 

I would say the ideas that I have, the way I create a world in my paintings. This is achieved by stylizing reality, perspective, and also including some unusual elements in each painting; things that won't happen in reality. I like to ask myself the question 'Why not?'

When do you feel the most creative? 

When I work. The more I paint or draw, the more ideas come.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received? 

I was in my last semester at Art Center College of Design, when one of my teachers told me that the one person who needs to like my work is myself. That was an excellent advice that came at the right time for me. It seems that it is easier for others to like my work, but I hold myself to a high standard and always want to do better with the next painting. I'm the hardest person to please, and that's how it should be - pushing myself to do better. 

What is something most people don't know about you?

Sometimes people wonder about my last name - I'm Bulgarian and it is actually pretty unique name there, only a couple of families on my dad's side have it. My heritage does influence my paintings - the settings in many of them tend to look more European as I miss the look and feel of Europe.

Where can we learn more about you? 

From my website: www.danyparagouteva.com