FEATURE 31 TELL US ABOUT THE AREA WHERE YOU LIVE I live in the city of Denizli in Turkey. In this region many places are focused on history and tourism. Denizli, which is my hometown, has many historical and tourist sites. Many people around the world know Pamukkale (the famous white terraces with pools of mineralised water) even though they have never heard of Denizli. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO DRAW CARS, PARTICULARLY MERCEDES- BENZ? I have always admired and dreamed about Mercedes-Benz. It is the brand whose toys I have been playing with since childhood. I think that Mercedes-Benz vehicles never go out of fashion and always look stylish and royal. Mercedes-Benz is like a fashion icon that never loses its classiness and nobility, while most cars of other brands are just a means of transportation. I will never get tired of combining Mercedes-Benz cars with my art. HAVE YOU BEEN DRAWING FOR LONG? When I first started drawing cars I was not even going to school. And I continued to draw only cars right up until I started university. But that’s no longer the case. Because of my job, I’m obliged to do technical drawings and 3D modeling of houses and workplaces along with automotive art. WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU USE? I use 3H, HB and 3B charcoal pencils, different sized black pens, tens of different colored markers and watercolors when I draw. I’m planning on drawing with acrylic paint in the very near future. WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO ART AND WHAT PROCESS DO YOU FOLLOW? For me, art is a form of expression that lives and will continue to live. The best part is that it’s a way to express myself. Sometimes I spend hours thinking only about which colour to use; that’s because colour alone can say a lot about who I am and I don’t like to be misunderstood. I do not include living objects in my art because my works are alive anyway. I believe that the act of making art is purer when it is done through colours and silhouettes. WHAT IS LIFE LIKE THERE AT THE MOMENT? I’m enjoying my life where I live. Here people are happy and spontaneous; they act on emotions. You can see the influence of different cultures that have lived and continue to live in my city and in my country. I like living in a country that is culturally very rich and therefore I invite people to come and experience these cultures. However, I would like to see the whole world and learn about different cultures through direct experience. Travelling and observing are always a must.