Time in Focus: Art of Being an Artist

Self-Portrait of the Intellectual Woman

I am an intellectual woman living in a time of global uncertainty and moral exhaustion. I observe the world in agony—not with detachment, but with a deep sense of responsibility and emotional presence. In a society that often values speed, distraction, and superficiality, I choose a different rhythm: one of reflection, substance, and emotional depth.

I give myself the time and space to feel, to think, to respond meaningfully. My thoughts are not rushed. My expressions are not reactive. I believe that true creation—whether in words, images, or ideas—requires intentional silence, sustained attention, and emotional courage.

Summer, for me, is not just a season. It is a crucial period of inner work. It offers light, warmth, and time—three essential elements I use to gather strength for the longest and most demanding marathon of my life. This marathon is not physical. It is spiritual, intellectual, and emotional. It is the lifelong journey of seeking meaning, telling truth, and staying connected to the essence of things, even when the world appears to be falling apart.

In this time of preparation, I do not disconnect from reality. On the contrary, I open myself fully to its complexity. I read, I walk, I write, I photograph. I pay attention to the unseen—to small gestures, abandoned spaces, fleeting expressions, forgotten voices. I study them, not out of nostalgia, but out of a commitment to preserve what still matters.

This self-portrait is not a conclusion; it is a point of departure. It is the moment before I re-enter the world with renewed energy, sharper vision, and deeper conviction. What I gather now—in silence, in sunlight, in solitude—I will carry with me into the seasons to come

Marina Lazarus

15th of July 2025

Hellas