+1 ::: Why are
you an artist Fernando, and when did you
first become one?
Why
am I an artist? Why do I breathe? Of course
its figurative. But I feel that
only as an artist I do not suffocate.
Ive always tried to live art through
other people. I remember trying to promote
friends work, being a volunteer
in an art foundation in my home town.
Since Ive always been self conscious
I believed I was never prepared to be
an artist, for I had no former schooling.
Only through so many rerouted roads I
found myself in touch with my real bliss.
I started to feel confident in showing
my sketches and felt I was touching my
soul as well others.
I realized Ive always been an artist,
a frustrated one, in the past, for had
not being able to develop my soul through
my paintings. Just like a bird that cant
fly, but still a bird. So
I decided
to break out of the cage of stereotypes
and bias and plunge into my soul. Decided
to lose the fear of not being accepted
first by accepting myself.
1989 was a real groundbreaking time for
me. I was chosen by a local Museum in
my home town to represent rising new talents.
But I was still afraid. Only after years
suffocating in fields that were not my
element I realized I had to follow my
bliss.
+2 ::: Could
you tell us some more about your paintings?
If
I had to label my painting Id rather
label them as Expressionist for they represent
the struggle and turmoil I carry inside.
Even though most of them can be identified
as figurative or landscape portrayals,
the process of giving colors and forms
to my paintings is a total process that
comes form inside to outside. There is
always a seed but from that point on they
grow independently from their source;
for they are tampered with my emotion,
my present feeling. Ive painted
the same idea many times and I can tell
you they came out totally different. The
more I paint the more I feel exposed.
I feel like I learned something about
myself I didnt know.
+3
::: Are your paintings of actual locations
in the landscape or are they painted from
your imagination?
The
landscapes are 90% from places Ive
been, even though I paint them based on
brainstorming them. The process flows
naturally, not effortlessly. Only now
Im learning to enjoy not being in
charge of what the next stroke will do
to the whole painting. Im still
learning that there are no mistakes only
discoveries. Its great therapy for
me. Since I like to control everything,
being able to start enjoying not controlling
my art is helping me in other fields of
my life.
Right now Im painting Sugarcane
Fields, which were very present during
my childhood. I close my eyes and imagine
Im back in time. Storms in general
are fascinating and a merge of theses
two series is becoming inevitable. Others
I paint based on pictures of a trip or
of another painting, but thats only
the seed the whole process evolves sometimes
in a totally different direction. I used
to get frustrated with that, but as I
said Im now learning to enjoy it.
+4
::: What famous artists have influenced
you, and how?
By
far William Turner. He has always fascinated
me. His painting Rain, Steam and
Speed still strikes me like a bullet
every time I look at it. Love the Sun
Set over a lake and Moonlight as well.
I even started a series called: The
way Turner turned me on I have 5
or 6 pieces but never showed to anyone.
I also admire Berthe Morisot and Claude
Monet very much. Influenced by these
impressionist artists I found freedom
on the expressionist way of expressing
myself. Therefore I cant leave aside
Vincent
Van Gogh and his struggle to be an
artist after so many years as an art dealer.
His post-impressionism path and all it
represents.
+5
::: What other interests do you have outside
of painting?
Movies
and traveling are my favorites. Chatting
with friends drinking a fine red wine
can be very inspiring and cheerful. Living
in NYC allows me to take advantage of
the great range of galleries and Museums.
Last week I went to see at the Guggenheim
From El Greco to Picasso
Awesome.
+6
::: What inspires you to paint and how
do you keep motivated when things get
tough in the studio?
Usually
I see my previous paintings as unfinished
pieces. Looking at their details and developing
ideas from there is a very exciting exercise
for me. I also have dreams that inspire
me, so I wake up and take notes in order
to remember in the morning. Looking at
art in general triggers my crave for painting.
When things are tough I like reading notes
and emails I received about my paintings,
and now my guestbook on my website. It
helps me keep focused on the fact that
Ive been able to express myself
and touch peoples soul. When things
are financially difficult, I try to keep
my budget as low as possible and invite
people I know appreciate my work over
to the studio. I always keep in mind a
figure I might be in need. As a miracle
it becomes reality. Many times its
more difficult than it seems.
+7
::: How have you handled the business
side of being an artist?
For
many years I took commissions from Art
Consultants and Interior Designers from
Sao Paulo, Miami and New York. I havent
been accepting for a while. Im now
more focused on developing my series and
get into shows, competitions and more
galleries. I must say Ive been having
a very positive response.
+8
::: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I
see myself more in tune with my inner
self as an artist, and with good gallery
arrangements that will allow me to travel
as much as I need. I feel the need of
having a studio for 6 months in Madrid
and in Paris. Im sure a lot will
come out while there. But AFTER 10 year
time I hope to settle back in Brazil in
the country side in a cozy cottage-studio
where I could develop a program to help
poor young people find there way through
art. Im sure art can save ones life.
+9
::: What's the best and worst parts of
being a full time, working artist?
Definitely
the best part is being able to manage
our time based on our inspiration as it
comes. The worst part is when inspiration
doesnt come when we believe it should
come. I also have to agree that the business
side and the financial ups and downs can
be tough.
+10
::: What advice would you give to an artist
just starting out?
Establish
a routine of developing your art. Keep
in touch with your soul by developing
your technique. There are no mistakes,
so
just work. The more you work
the more youll figure out if thats
your bliss. If thats the case youll
follow it, there is no way you can escape
from it. After you know that art is what
you ARE; try getting advise from professionals
and taking part in shows and competitions.
That will give you a pretty good experience.
If you are not into academic or long term
study, short terms are always a good idea.
Sharing experience with other artists
and the environment itself can be very
inspiring.