The Greatest Artist Of All Time – Michelangelo Buonarroti, was born in the quaint and idyllic town of Caprese in the picturesque region of Tuscany.

But this is not my tale.

My journey begins in the charming and picturesque village of Kosic, nestled amidst the rugged and majestic mountains of Montenegro. These untamed behemoths, with their melodic and rushing streams, treacherous and thorny roads, and mysterious and dense forests, have been an endless source of inspiration for both myself and my art.

The winters in Montenegro were incredibly rainy and tempestuous as if the clouds above us were engaged in a never-ending sobbing contest. My friends didn’t mind frolicking in the endless deluge, but I wasn’t the type of child who relished “dancing in the rain.”

Instead, I preferred to “warm” myself by studying anatomy and devouring the pages of “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas, even though the ancient and creaky wood-burning stove in our home provided only a modicum of warmth. I would stay up late into the night as long as there were still embers glowing in the oven.

My parents surrounded my siblings and me with towering piles of Disney movies and comics, and I spent countless hours drawing and creating fantastical worlds, never tiring of this passion. It was through this that I discovered my true talent.

As a teenager, I still recall my grandmother who spent the entire summer perched on the sun-drenched porch in front of our house. She rarely spoke, and when she did, her words were always succinct. Every time I approached her, she would whisper:

 “Nothing else matters, one day we’re all going to die.”

I’m not certain how she knew, but her words had a profound impact on me, and I began to think, “If I’m going to die one day, then I must cherish and appreciate every moment of time that I have ahead of me.” This is how I learned to use my time wisely.

Practice and persistence are the mother and father of every skilled craftsman.

_W.Wilovski

My passion for comics was the spark that ignited my love for animation. It was during this time that I discovered a small, yet bustling animation studio nestled in the heart of Podgorica. Here, I dove headfirst into the world of 2D animation, and it quickly became my new hobby. As I delved deeper into the craft, I realized that animation was not just about creating art, but also about the importance of teamwork. The rule of 24 drawings per second was a daunting task, but it only fueled my determination to master it.

Though patience was not a trait I possessed naturally, I found myself becoming more and more enamored with the process of animation. Each day spent in the studio was a joyous occasion, surrounded by a team of like-minded and equally passionate individuals. Together, we crafted a few films that went on to win awards at various animation festivals.

It was during this time that I stopped counting my drawings and instead, began to focus on the beauty of movement. And that’s when I truly learned the power of persistence. I learned to appreciate every moment, every line and every frame, and it was this love and dedication that ultimately led me to become the artist I am today.

If you were a bird, you’d know how to sing by default. But since you’re not, you must keep practicing.

_W.Wilovski

Because I wanted to please my parents, I began studying civil engineering. However, during this time, my grandmother passed away, and I realized she was right about the importance of living and dying. If you wait long enough, death is inevitable. I knew I needed to do something meaningful with my life. So, I dropped out of university and devoted myself fully to my passion. I realized that if I had to make a living, I wanted to do something that I was not just good at, but exceptional at.

The civil war in former Yugoslavia changed my plans and dreams, and I was forced to leave my hometown. In order to make ends meet, I had to lead a double life. By day, I was a concept artist, and by night, I was a baker.

Through this experience, I learned the importance of patience and humility. I learned that sometimes, life may not go as planned, but it’s important to adapt and make the most of the situation.

Before and during the war, something truly remarkable happened deep within me. I discovered the meaning of my existence. I met someone who changed me from within, someone who goes by many names, but I prefer to call him “I am who I am.” He is someone who cannot be described in words or pictures, a friend and a guide who led me through the chaos around me. I came to understand that I did not give life and that I do not have the right to take it away. I was declared a deserter and the military police were searching for me. But, after nine long years, I was pardoned.

This experience taught me the true meaning of belief and gratitude. I came to understand the importance of standing by my convictions and being thankful for the opportunities life presents, even in the darkest of times.

Today, I am living and working in the beautiful country of Austria. The truth is, I do not have a specific style of drawing or painting. Like a man with a hundred faces, or a chameleon with a wide range of colors, I adapt my style from project to project. I am unsure if this is good or not, but I am content with it. It is a great privilege to be able to live my childhood dream.

This experience taught me that changes are not always bad. My artistic influences in this industry include Alex Raymond, Harold Foster, John Buscema, Frank Frazetta, Bayard Wu, and all of my friends who encouraged me to chase my dreams. After all these years, I still believe in miracles, and I believe that you stopping by to read these words is one of them. Coincidence? I think not.

Have a great day or night,

Yours, Wlad