Andrew Bellavie
What first inspired you to try art? And what mediums have you experimented with?
I’ve been creating visual art since I was about 3 years old when I drew on the drywall of my family’s unfinished basement with crayon.
As far as mediums go, I’ve completed 2-D works on canvas, paper, cardboard, and wood panel in acrylic, oil, watercolour, graphite, marker, aerosol, collage, and relief printing. I have created 3-D works in metal and in wood.
Was there ever a moment you stopped making art, and if so what brought passion and inspiration back?
There were several short breaks from creating in my life, but I’ve always come back to it one way or another. I had a long break from 2015-2020 which ended because of the pandemic. I felt in the moment of uncertainty “if we are all going to die, I may as well do something I like”, then I learned how to paint in oils (something I’d been putting off).
Have you gone to art school or are you self taught?
I’m self taught. Though I took art class in high school, most of what we learned didn’t really stick with me.
If you are self taught what resources or exercises did you use to learn?
If you went to school, what would you say are the most important lessons you learned?
My favorite exercise of all time is as follows. Set up a still life and draw it using a large sketch pad and graphite (pencil). The twist is that you must not remove the graphite from the page, and you can only look at the still life (not at your paper). If you remove the pencil from the page, that drawing is finished.
I think that the best advice I ever got from a mentor was to paint directly from nature. You can read books and take workshops till the cows come home, but until you are face to face with your muse you don’t know what you can do.
That said, I have referenced Mitchell Albala’s book “The Landscape Painters Workbook: Essential Studies in Shape, Composition, and Color” several times when I’ve encountered a problem. It is a great resource for anyone interested in creating art in the landscape genre.
What is the most challenging part about being an artist for you? How did you overcome that challenge?
Tapping into the creative mode; “getting creative” is probably one of the most challenging parts of being an artist. To that end, I paid close attention to when I was ‘in the zone’; time of day, location, what music, everything. Giving yourself time to create is so important. Forcing myself to get creative in nature.
What drives the inspiration in your paintings? How would you describe your style?
My biggest inspiration is the natural environment. I’m also inspired by my personal experiences, world history, chemistry, astronomy, myths & legends, folklore, nostalgia, and environmentalism.
My painting is in a painterly style (visible brushstrokes), and I use impasto and alla prima techniques. My subjects are real, though I tend to abstract the forms and seek ‘the feeling of the place’. Maybe a good way to describe it would be Romantic Canadian Folk Art. I’ve been criticized for painting like the Group of Seven, but I am nowhere near as talented. This is where I am at right now, but I expect that my style will continue to change over time.
What would you recommend to new artists trying to build a career? What are the keys to
success?
I would encourage new artists to write a mission statement for their artistic practice. I think that a wild creative spirit is the perfect starting point for any artist, but a purpose and a reason for creating is the foundation of a successful artist.
How long have you been painting? And what would you go back and tell your younger self if you could?
I’ve been painting with acrylics for over 20 years, and with oils for 3 years. I might like to tell younger Andrew not to worry so much about what other people think of your art and just make the art you like. Also to do more sculpting.
What markets and resources have you used in Calgary to sell your work? And what would you say made it successful ?
It took me a long time to feel comfortable enough to even attempt to sell my paintings. I recommend joining a local art club/community as they often run their own shows throughout the year. There are a ton of community markets and opportunities for artists in the city.
Show success is subjective and will depend on where you are at in your career. I would suggest setting a budget for show participation fees for a given year, and choose shows that line up with your style of art. For in person shows, attend the show and talk to folks who show an interest in your work, prepare and practice your elevator pitch, and smile lots. If you are not great at sales, print out a copy of your artist biography with some nice photos of you working and include it in your display for folks to read.
What is currently your favourite art supply? How has it impacted your art?
I’ve been using oil paints from Montreal; the company is called Kama Pigments. They are incredibly high-quality oil paints. I use dollar store brushes, but you can’t skimp on professional grade pigments.
What advice do you have for developing artists?
Learn how to self critique and remember to have fun.
