This is a signed copy.

Second Edition - 

In this intimate, honest memoir, I aim to educate my readers about my successes and my journey to survive the odds. Through balance and perseverance, I have learned how to become successful, follow their dreams, and live a rewarding life. This updated version brings my readers to 2022 and tells more details that I didn’t say in the first version.

Whether by finding new work, achieving financial success, or contemplating failure, fear has a special place in our emotional lives. By compulsion, our minds are designed to let fear in; without it, we would never survive. But how does a person fulfill their goals and keep anxiety away? Conquering fear is about self-awareness and understanding our inner strengths. Through the course of my life, I’ve learned how to handle adversity. You can read what I have done to become successful and happy.

I just returned to Venice for my solo show, My Stories. It is at the Chapel of the Church of the Pietà, also known as “Vivaldi’s Church.” This is where the great Maestro worked and composed. The exhibition is meant to summate my narrative, ranging from my childhood to my more recent encounters. Each sculpture was made to talk about a situation I faced and the emotions I experienced in my life. I’ve also placed two monumental new sculptures at In Paradiso Gallery, in Giardini, opposite the entrance to the Venice Art Biennale. One is called Serenity, and the other is called Justice, both indicative of what the world needs now in this turbulence. Another sculpture, Survival of Serena with Red Tube, faces the Grand Canal, one of my bucket lists goals.

The streets are crowded with tourists. They expect over a million visitors while the exhibition is going on. I keep bumping into artists, collectors, and friends. We talk about what life is like now in their country and how things have changed. The biggest difference in Venice is that the water in the canal is clear once again, and if you look closely, you might even see a fish. Will it last? The Ukrainian and Russian Pavilions are empty for different reasons. History seems to repeat itself. It’s unbelievable how people easily forget and cancel a whole human story. The only way we must keep the memories alive is to convey them to the next generations with music, art, and books. Therefore, I decided to share my own experiences. I wrote my autobiography, hoping to help others find their own inspiration after reading about my life and my work. After all, life is too short, so pursue what you love today because you never know what tomorrow will bring.