In today’s conversation, we catch up with Victor Seehund Schegin, a Paris-born artist whose journey into art began with graffiti at the age of 15. Over the years, Victor's path has evolved from street art to figurative painting, and his formal studies in Journalism have deeply influenced his artistic practice, refining his visual storytelling. In this interview, Victor shares his thoughts on the role of artists in today’s society, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the unique ability of art to awaken something deeply personal within each of us. With a background in traditional techniques and a passion for self-taught exploration, Victor’s perspective is refreshing and insightful. Let’s dive into this inspiring discussion about creativity, resilience, and the magic of art.

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Contemplate the role and responsibilities of an artist in society today. How do you perceive the role of an artist in today's society? What responsibilities, if any, do you believe artists have towards their communities or the broader public?

Art makes you feel the unexpected, it surprises you and catches you with your guard down. By allowing you to feel and explore these emotions that flow through you, it enables you to rediscover yourself, to question your emotions, and open access to new perspectives in your mind. This sadness this painting ignites in you! The artist is familiar with it. He might not be there with you, but you are not alone – you, and so many other people, share this. Art creates bridges between me and you and it’s a testimony to our humanity.

 

Artists offer the opportunity to escape the struggles of daily life. To wander in your imagination, and take a breath, taking your mind far away from everything that normally keeps it busy. By the time most people have grown up and become adults, creativity is often buried, and so is the magic that comes with it – but art can awaken what’s asleep inside of you.

 

In my experience, schools kill creativity simply because they don’t stimulate it. Most of them in France are not providing alternative paths to students who don’t fit in the one and only mould, marginalising and dismissing those pupils, who have gifts like inspiration or thinking outside the box, that aren’t valued. Staying a child somewhere inside is tough, but art can help revive your inner magic. Because art is magic. It is - simply because: we need more. Art is necessary, just like love; experiencing it reminds people what it is like to do more than just survive. 

Discuss your methods for entering a creative state of mind. What specific techniques or practices do you use to get into the right mindset for creating art? Do you have any rituals, routines, or a particular environment that helps stimulate your creativity?

Creativity needs stimulation: for me, the best way to get inspired is to get to work. My most efficient method is to just start painting: studies on panels, on paper, anything. It doesn’t even have to be good, just to feel good… The point is to take pressure off me, stop overthinking and start doing. It's empowering to do that - not only does it allow me to take back control from blank canvas fear, but it is relieving as well to go with the flow and live in the present – as thinking of a plan might actually just feed anxiety to get started. Then, when I’m in the act, I get ideas along the way.

 

For me, to break that fear of starting, the easiest is to dive into work. If it’s scary to attack a big piece of cold turkey sometimes, a good in-between is to jump into studies that I won’t sacralise as much, and thus put less pressure on me and allow me “to go hard in the paint”. For now, I spend between 2 and 4 hours on my studies. To keep on painting is always so tempting! But stopping is just as important as starting. I plan on tearing into 10-30-minute studies, for quicker warmups and the thrill of respecting a tighter timeframe.

Share your thoughts on pursuing a creative career, despite potential risks, versus more conventional career paths.

It’s always worth making a choice when, without it, you feel like you can’t go on. Maybe that’s why it’s called a calling - once you find it, you can’t escape it. It’s a compulsion, something vital. My calling feels magnetic like love. I have no choice but to follow my heart.

 

If art is just a casual hobby for someone, it might not make sense to step into such an unpredictable career. But for me, it’s different. Art is essential. It’s not about weighing risks and rewards; it’s about necessity. There’s no decision to make - it just feels right, like everything has fallen into place.

 

Pursuing art means navigating that tension between risk, unpredictability and reward. The instability pushes you to grow, adapt, and evolve, just as in the creative process itself. And while the challenges are real, this path offers something no conventional career can do: freedom, authenticity, and adventure. The risks, failures, and doubts don’t diminish the experience—they add depth to it. And I’m not even talking about how rewarding it is to listen to your heart.

 

Choosing a creative career over a conventional one comes with uncertainty, but for me, the risk fades when I realize that the alternative - denying my passion for art - would be far more unbearable. Yes, a predictable job might bring security, but at what price? Living without space for my inner self to fully express. I have to make my dream happen and live in it, because here’s the real risk: living in someone else’s dream. 

Do you believe art can be perceived as pretentious? If so, under what circumstances?

Probably art that’s apparently very low-effort and pretends to be more than it feels like. It also fuels a stereotype that alienates potential new audiences: the cliché that art is reserved for elitist intellectual circles. This is making many people insecure, making them feel art is not for them before they even experience it once. And that’s unfortunate because while buying art is a luxury, its value goes beyond possessing it and the financial. Art is for everyone to experience, and it can profoundly enrich your emotional life, offering depth, connection, and a new way to see the world.

 

Most of the time, the best way to appreciate art is to NOT look for meaning, which essentially ruins it, but experience it with your senses instead. If you look at music, it is much more approachable than visual arts, it is so very inclusive. People just listen and feel. 

 

While cultural and historical references can help clarify technicalities and some context, you won't learn how to appreciate art by reading books, but only by going to actually meet the art and spend time with it. It just takes to have an open heart - well ok that's a lot, but that's it. To appreciate it, just be vulnerable and allow yourself to feel.

 

Paintings are just like people, you won't have a special bond with most of them, but then some are going to make you feel different - and you'll share a meaningful, deep connection. It often takes seconds to know if you have a crush on an artwork. I wish visual arts were as approachable and people-friendly as music in the collective fantasy. Because essentially, it’s the same attitude you should have to enjoy art: let it carry you.

Can art be objectively valued, and what role do you think academic institutions should play in art education?

I mean on one side there’s sentimental value, which will never be objective, and that’s what makes art beautiful: two people look at the same piece but see two different artworks. Some people will think highly of it, others poorly.

 

Then there is the art market: it’s fair to say, that art is worth what people are willing to pay for it, I think that’s as objective as it gets. Of course, value is not permanent: famous or trendy art that gets treated like a financial asset will go up and down in price like a financial asset. However, auction houses, galleries, and influential collectors have dedicated strategies to protect the value of art they own.

 

I think academic institutions play an enormous role in art education since they shape the next generation of artists. I personally didn’t go to art school and I’m glad I didn’t. I didn’t need or want a frame; art school didn’t feel right for me. I had the self-discipline and motivation I needed to go on my own path. I did enroll in public art classes: drawing and oil painting, to learn the skills I wanted with my particular goals in mind. To each their own. Schools can help some people; they provide structure. 

List five key insights or lessons you wish you had known when you started your artistic journey.

✧ Being a full-time artist is NOT making your art all the time! It’s networking, content creation, social media, finding opportunities, getting rejected, trying again, following leads on sales, agents, galleries, brand deals, photographing and filming your work, editing that, trying not to burn out - and finally, making art.

 

✧ Nothing’s worth more, than allowing you to be who you are deep down and listening to your heart.

 

✧ As an artist, you’ll deeply attract people who sense your passion and energy - and crave it, you’ll also meet people who won’t take you seriously, or label you quickly and unfairly.

 

✧ Success is about your journey; don’t obsess over one single goal you defined for yourself.

 

✧ On social media, it is possible to get in touch with artists that you look up to - and they’ll be friendly and treat you like a colleague. The artist community is great.

What are some upcoming projects or plans you are excited about?

I’m preparing for a group exhibition in January in a Paris-based gallery. I’ll share more down the road on my social media accounts.

 

I’m excited about my work, and where I’m going to take it. I’m so enthusiastic about my journey on social media too, where I now have an audience that allows me to make a meaningful difference. I provide artists with opportunities to grow and connect with one another, aiming to foster a sense of unity within the creative community. My goal is to continue using my platform to build spaces where artists can thrive, make connections, and engage in meaningful conversations. I also hope to make the art world a little more approachable by creating open, friendly spaces for dialogue.

 

Also, I’m always so thrilled about hanging out with fellow creative souls in real life. As artists, it’s very important we surround ourselves with other artists.

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Speaking with Victor Seehund Schegin offers a powerful reminder that art is much more than a profession—it’s a calling, one that shapes both the artist and the viewer. Victor’s reflections on art as a bridge between people and as a vital force for staying connected with our inner selves bring a unique dimension to his work. His experiences navigating a creative career, outside the conventional paths, highlight the risks and rewards that come with following one’s passion.

We’re excited to see what’s next for Victor, especially his upcoming group exhibition in Paris! Stay tuned for more of his captivating work, and don’t forget to follow along on his artistic journey.