“I believe that creativity must be trained in developing and applying the skill. Also it’s important to have the courage to let it fly and put it out there. No fear allowed.” Artist and actress Ella Jazz speaks to us about if there is a shortcut to success, the reason for the lips reappearing in her collages and the ethics she lives by. And we have some stunning images to show shot by her photographer boyfriend Viktor Vauthier.

So many people call themselves artist or creative nowadays. What makes someone a real artist in your eyes?

Behind every great success and achievement there’s hard work, dedication and sacrifice. A real artist is someone whose work can be recognised before seeing any signature. There’s no shortcut to success.

Is creativity something we are born with or we pick it up from our upbringing?

Humans are born with the ability to be creative but we live in a world where often creativity is mostly discouraged. I believe that creativity must be trained in developing and applying the skill. Also it’s important to have the courage to let it fly and put it out there. No fear allowed. Your entourage it’s very important in my opinion, if you are surrounded by creative people there are more chances of being creative.

On all your collages there are lips appearing. Why?

I love doing collages since I’m a little girl but at the time I didn’t really find my style. One day I was working, my studio was an ocean of images, I cut a mouth and play with it on one of my favourites photos and created an abstract face. I loved it so I continued doing more and more and then it became my signature.

You show a lot of them upside down. Visual fun or a reason behind that?

The reason behind is to let people to play with their imagination when they see my collages. I see abstract faces everyday everywhere and its so much fun.

Favorite artist for you?

I don’t have one favourite artist only. The people I surround myself with are the ones who inspired me. I also have other artists that I admire but there are so many I can’t name them all :).

You also model. Amusement or real passion?

I don’t consider myself a model. I’m the muse of the photographer Viktor Vauthier since we met. But apart from my art work, my real passion is acting. I’ve been doing it from a very early age. I’ve always loved cinema. Not everybody knows that I was a child actor. I’ve stopped for few years but I’m back on acting.

Sometimes it´s an awkward feeling to see ourselves on images. Does a model feel like that as well sometimes?

As I said I’m not a model but an actress and yes, sometimes it’s awkward to see myself on the screen. As a child and teenager I was never watching myself but nowadays as I’m more mature it’s easier as I accept that it’s my job. However sometimes is still a little awkward :).

Are there any ethics you live by?

Think positive. Live in the moment. Be healthy. Be grateful. Be good to others. I’m a true believer of Karma.

Collages by Ella Jazz
Photography by Viktor Vauthier