I'm not sure how I got so lucky, but I did. Here you have it people. An interview from THEE AMAZING KAL BARTESKI. If you're not familiar with her work, you can find her design here, her blog here, and fall in love here.
1. What has been the biggest influence on your art?
Two things. First, my family has always been incredibly supportive - helping me since I was 12 years old by talking positively about my work and sharing their pride with others. That's such a powerful network. They helped me to setup a little mini painting-space in our family room, had plenty of opinions about the work, and never pushed me to get a 'regular' job. Basically, they influenced my art by nurturing and adding to my positive attitude. That's big. Second, I was part of a big painting project for our city a few years ago and I was nervous as heck. There were 40 artists working together in the same room. These were real artists with galleries and books and names for themselves. I was feeling very self-conscious and very unworthy of being in their company. If they asked me what I did - I said I was a graphic designer that painted on the side... I didn't feel like I measured up. One day, I could feel someone watching me work. When I turned around it was a very old man. It was a very old famous Canadian painter and he looking at my work and quietly put his hand on my fist closed tightly around my nervous brush and said, "You are a painter." That was a life changing moment for me.
2. Are you self taught or do you have formal art training?
A little of both. I had the privilege of taking private art lessons from international wildlife artist Gail Adams from the time I was ten until I was seventeen. I had a gift for drawing - and I was lucky enough to have a mom that recognized my passion. Gail worked with me on improving my sights and dry media and in turn I taught myself how to paint. After that - I went to couple of different colleges for design and art history.
3. How did you make the leap into doing it professionally? What did you do to start?
I started doing commissioned drawings and paintings the year I turned twelve. There wasn't much of a leap - someone would ask me to paint their portrait and I would. Someone would ask if they could buy one of my pastel or chalk works and I would sell it. Word traveled and I painted. I learned that there was an exchange to be had.
4. What inspires you?
Life inspires me. Colours inspire me. Stories inspire me. I am inspired by the communication of a feeling or moment.
5. What other jobs have you had?
I worked as a fitness instructor and personal trainer through college.
6. What's your favourite part about being an artist? Least favourite?
My favourite part of being an artist is creating things. I love being submersed in the moment when you are painting or drawing or writing or creating and I love coming out the other side and seeing what's been created. I really, really love it when someone looks at a painting and is moved... What's my least favourite? Pricing artwork, promoting myself, turning people down when I can't accommodate their job or time frame...
7. How do you deal with creative blocks?
There's usually a reason for creative block... I try to listen to what's stalling me out and tackle that first. Sometimes creative block means it's just not the right project and that's okay. Sometimes I can kick creative block in the ass with little bit of adrenaline - a tighter deadline. There's always a way around it, through it, or over it - just keep going.
8. How do you define success?
Tough question... success is different for everyone, but to me - it's waking up jazzed about what's on your to-do list that day... I feel successful/blessed/grateful because I created a life - a home, a career, a purpose - doing what I love and that works for me.
9. Who is your favourite artist? Why?
I have too many favourites. I couldn't narrow it down to less than 10. I love the artists that live in their own style. Rodin. Basquiat. Rothko. Kilmt. So many more.
10. Do you have a favourite piece? Why?
I have a different favourite everyday.
11. Could you offer a tip...
Make the decision to make it happen. Be flexible. Follow the life you set out to lead
*Check back next Thursday for another amazing Rockstar Interview RIGHT HERE!