Our Art Star Armando Cabba on Art, Survival, and Staying True to Yourself

We’re excited to kick off a new series of interviews with our Art Star of the Month program, honouring exceptional talent across various creative fields.

Through this initiative, we aim to spotlight artists making an impact, offering them a global platform to share their work and connect with a community of creators. The Art Star of the Month program is designed to recognise the incredible diversity and innovation in the arts, providing a space for growth, recognition, and meaningful connections.

For this month’s Art Star of the Month at the Arts to Hearts Project, we had the chance to sit down with Canadian artist Armando Cabba, currently based in Paris and known not only for his deeply emotional portraiture and erotic art, but also as the host of The JOI of Painting on Pornhub. In this candid interview, Armando opens up about his journey—why he chose independence early in his career, how he navigates structure and spontaneity in his work, and the importance of staying visible through alternative, passionate platforms over polished commercial spaces.

He shares what it means to create from a place of survival and honesty, and reminds us that real connection, whether on canvas or in conversation, still matters. Through his words, we see the raw, human side of an artist who isn’t afraid to challenge norms, embrace emotion, and let art speak for itself.

Canadian Artist based in Paris and host of The JOI of Painting on Pornhub. Exploring intimacy through portraiture and challenging online censorship with erotic art, Armando Cabba’s work explores the human experience and dives into themes of connection in a contemporary landscape.

1.  How would you describe your creative style and the emotional themes influencing your portrait and erotic artwork?

In my portraits and erotic art, I lean more towards emotional intimacy. My art is intensely figurative, and there are moments when it begins as abstract but ends with my emotional response to the subject depicted on canvas.

Truth still maintains its relevancy and isn’t clouded by sales or clicks.

Armando Cabba

2.    After briefly attending the Florence Academy, you chose to open your studio in Italy—what drove that independent path so early in your career?  

Over 10 years ago, it was due to creative differences. Being in Italy and not having the option to go back home after working 7 years to arrive there, the only thing I could do was to begin working in a studio. Looking back on a period that was a lifetime ago, I wanted to survive. I don’t register it as something poetic, but more of a need to create.

3.    You’ve shown in cities from Paris to Barcelona to New York—how have these different cultural settings shaped your artistic voice?  

They haven’t been while I’ve shown them there. You’ll absorb more from a city when you aren’t there on the job. My time spent preparing for a show is with the curators and staff. As an artist doing a gig, it’s essential to be involved and support the team so everything can go smoothly. I’m not the type of artist who leaves his work at the doorstep, hoping others will figure it out. Plus, most of the time I’m learning from them. Every show has a different pace, range of stakes, and a new mindset. Hearing stories and being there in person is more valuable than just appearing at the opening.

4.     Your art spans portraiture to abstraction—how do you define your creative space between structure and spontaneity?

I see it as just creating. It’s as expansive and straightforward an answer as I can give. I don’t associate structure with portraiture and spontaneity with abstraction. It feels like a stereotype to me. There have been portraits that happen on a whim and more abstract pieces that take months of preparation.

I lean more towards emotional intimacy in my portraits and erotic art. My art is deeply figurative, and there are moments when it begins as abstract but ends at my emotional response to the subject depicted on canvas.

Armando Cabba

5.    With so many of your works featured in independent publications, how important is it for you to maintain that alternative, less-commercial visibility?  

They still have integrity compared to others regarding what they publish. They don’t push rules that feel very corporate and promote “safe” art, and they tend to defend the pieces they publish and give context to them. In my experience, the alternative, smaller publishers and organisations still demonstrate passion and a desire to find true talent. Truth still maintains its relevancy and isn’t clouded by sales or clicks. I’m not just saying that because I’m included; I tend to find incredible creatives through these outlets. I admire the journalists who try to dig deeper and avoid softball questions. They have a specific question in mind and aren’t afraid to ask it.

6.  Congratulations on being featured as Art Star by The Arts to Hearts Project! How do you think opportunities like this help elevate your career and open new doors for your creative journey?  

I think this opens doors for others. Artists might see me here and feel comfortable submitting since if someone like me can get featured, they can, too.

Armando Cabba’s artwork powerfully reflects emotional intimacy, vulnerability, and the human experience. Whether through raw portraiture or provocative erotic pieces, his work invites us to slow down and feel something. He reminds us that art doesn’t need to follow rules to be valid—it just needs honesty.

From choosing independence early in his career to staying true to alternative platforms that support meaningful work, Armando shows that staying authentic matters. His journey teaches us that creating from a place of survival and sincerity can lead to the most impactful expressions of connection.

To learn more about Armando, click the following links to visit her profile.

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