When I discovered the amazing visual design work of talented artist Arian Behzadi, I knew I wanted to share his work on my blog. Then, I discovered that he was a student at UC Davis and everything fell into place. My dream is to write about and feature up-and-coming artists, and Arian is exactly that. I find it incredibly inspiring that he’s a pre-med student hoping to become a surgeon, yet creates these amazing mixed-media collages as a hobby. Motivated and talented! To read more about his background, check out my California Aggie profile of him here. And as a treat, below is a fun exclusive interview that Arian agreed to do just for you lovely readers!
What are three words to describe yourself?
“Hungry, lucky, and appreciative.”
What are you inspired by?
“Things on Tumblr and things in old magazines and old books. I do use a lot of female figures in my work– like Peggy Moffitt– so I guess the idea of a woman in that time is kind of represented in my work.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I like to eat good food. I like hanging out with friends. I like listening to music and playing music. I play piano, guitar, a little bit of accordion, a little bit of harmonica, a little bit of ukelele, a little bit of drums.”
What’s your favorite medium to create art with?
“Definitely digital. It’s much easier to mess around with things without completely ruining the stuff you started with.”
What’s your favorite movie? Favorite book?
“I really like The Graduate. That’s always been a favorite of mine. I really like Sum by David Eagleman. It’s really clever.“
What are three things you can’t live without?
“My Macbook Pro, my phone, and food.”

Complete this sentence: Art is _______.
 “Art is art. I like symmetry.”
Words to live by?
“I can’t remember the exact quote, but it’s something like, if you wait for inspiration, it’ll never come, you just have to keep making things and it’ll appear. That’s something that has really worked for me. I keep churning things out and some of them I hate and never show anybody and some of them I really like. So to instill that in a quote, I guess: don’t wait for inspiration.”
Who would you love to collaborate with?
“I really like Neil Krug’s photography.”
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
“In ten years, ideally I will be a surgeon, with kids and a beautiful wife that sells art work on the side and will still be respected in that world.”