bodypaintingcompetition

Learning to Speak Through Silence An Interview with Andrea Alcala

by Aly Laube

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About: At the age of seventeen, Andrea Alcala fled Venezuela with her family and settled in Canada to find a new home. Despite the initial culture shock, Andrea developed a love for creating art in her senior year of high school, which led her to continue pursuing it throughout her life. For six years, she studied at The Alberta College of Art and Design, until she moved to Vancouver with her husband in search of greater opportunities. Today, she attends The New Image College of Fine Arts, where she is developing her skills as a makeup artist, in hopes of fulfilling her dream of working in the film industry! You can support Andrea and her work at this year’s Art World Expo.
How did growing up in Venezuela affect you? Specifically, how did the change in government effect you and your family?

It changed everything! I am immensely lucky for the parents that I have; they never made me and my sister feel like we were lacking anything. However, their bravery to stand up for what they believed in cost them their jobs and possibility of working anywhere else. After a few years, my mom got the chance to work in the oil sands in northern Alberta, and she didn’t think twice about it. She accepted the offer in 2006, and a year later, we moved to Fort McMurray. Personally, it made me grow up and realize that nothing is given to you in life. You have to work hard. I was twelve when my parents lost their jobs, and seventeen when we got the opportunity to move to Canada. Here, I found a new home, my passion, and the love of my life.

Out of curiosity, how did you meet “the love of [your] life”, your husband?

My husband, Luis, and I went to the same elementary school when we were little, and when his dad was chased out of the country, his family followed him to Fort McMurray. His dad worked with my mom in the oil industry in Venezuela, and he recommended her for the job that helped bring us to Canada. I met Luis again in high school and he helped me learn English. We’ve been together since then! We’re both huge Disney fans, so he proposed in Cinderella’s castle in Disney World. We got married in Cancun, Mexico in August 2013!

When you say that your parents stood up for what they believed in (and were prosecuted for it), what do you mean?

There was a presidential election in 1998 which made Hugo Chavez president, and it brought a lot of change. He slowly introduced communism to the government (masking it as socialism) and gave a lot of money to neighbouring countries, but not much to Venezuela. Those who didn’t agree with Chavez rebelled and were marked as the opposition by the government, who made it clear that they had control. People were kicked out of their homes, and protesters were fired and banned. Some were even chased out of the country! Right now, Nicolas Maduro is president of Venezuela, the country is as poor as ever. It’s making it impossible for people to leave or for any progress to happen. There’s so much more to say, but this would be as short as I can get it.

What was it like to move to Canada, a country with so many differences from Venezuela?

It was very hard. I was raised in a different climate, culture, language…let’s just say that everything was different. I have a very large extended family as well and lived my whole life in one small town, so when we moved, I left behind everything and everyone I knew. The first shock I had was (like in the Disney movie, “Cool Runnings”) the temperature. Then came the language, food, culture, and finally, the silence. Being used to having a large family, the silence was certainly strange. Don’t get me wrong, I’m hugely grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve gotten in my life, but I have definitely learned to adapt.

Do you think that those experiences led you to becoming the artist you are today?

Definitely! Silence allowed me to listen to my own voice more. I had already graduated from high school in Venezuela, but when I came to Canada I had to repeat the twelfth grade to learn English. Because of that, all I had to take was English, Math and electives. I chose Art as one of them and never let go from there. I love making things and the art of creating, itself.

Why was there so much silence for you in Canada?

I think it started when I said goodbye to my family. I knew I wasn’t coming back and that everything would change as soon as I stepped onto the plane. It sure did! I only had a basic knowledge of English so I didn’t speak much, and for the first couple of months it was just me and my mom.

Do you still practice your South American culture, and do you think it can be seen in your work?

I still eat some of the food (that I can find here), speak Spanish, and keep close ties with my family. Can this be seen in my work? I’m not sure. It’s almost like trying to notice my own accent! Some of the work I did at the Alberta College of Art and Design was political and I meant it to be that way.

You’ve worked with various and unique artistic expressions. Which were your favourite, and how did you learn them?

I’ve always liked trying as many things as I can. My favourite was glass blowing but I did switch it up a lot in many of my projects! I attended the Alberta College of Art and Design from 2008-2013, which exposed me to mediums I had never tried before, and mixed things along the way.

How did you find the Alberta College of Art and Design, and what was your experience there like? How about your current school, the New Image College of Fine Arts?

I knew I wanted to work with glass, and ACAD had a whole faculty for it! I was also living in Fort McMurray at the time, and going to a school in the same province made sense. Attending ACAD taught me a lot and certainly made me a stronger person, but my husband and I moved to Vancouver for better chances at success than we would’ve had in Calgary. I did a lot of research and was lucky to find New Image College of Fine Arts! I’ve enjoyed every moment of it and truly have my family and husband to thank for helping me make my dreams come true.

You have experience with glass blowing, something that not a lot of people have practiced. What is it like, and what have you made with your skills?

It’s thrilling, fascinating, and can all go wrong in one swift moment. I love glass as a medium and I made a lot functional shapes such as vases, bowls, and decorative sculptures. Glass will always be in my heart, but it’s very hard to keep up once you’re out of school.

You’ve mentioned that you have a love for film. What are some of your favourite films, and which films have you worked on?

I have yet to work on a film, but I want to! Some of my favourite movies include Mary Poppins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland, Mrs. Doubtfire, Pan’s Labyrinth, and so many more.

What are you showing at the Expo?

So far, I have a dress that I modified for an editorial photo shoot by adding different sizes of origami shapes all over it. I may have a couple more things, but i’m still working on it.

What are your goals for the future?

My goal is to work in the film industry. I love beauty makeup, special effects, and prosthetics. I’m on my way to learn more about these and can’t wait to be able to do it all!

To find out more about Andrea and her work, contact her at:
604-562-1307 or
info@akristina.com

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor Twin Peaks Construction!

www.twinpeaksconstruction.com

Avant-Garde & Colourful A Glimpse Into the Mind of Makeup Artist Anita Chan

By Alyssa Laube

About: Although Anita has a Degree in Communications, she is currently studying her true passion at New Image College of Fine Arts: makeup artistry! Her dream is to work in the entertainment and fashion industry, and to run her own company where she can apply all of her diverse skills. At this year’s Expo, Anita will be demonstrating her body painting skills for the AWE audience.

You’re a student in Makeup Artistry and Film/Fashion Design. What made you interested in these specific studies, especially film and fashion?

My love for the fine arts started with drawing lessons when I was little. My teacher taught me the fundamentals:drawing straight lines without a ruler, shading, working with different mediums, tracing, colouring, and sketching. Later, myGrade 6 art teacher, Ms. Kolaric, inspired me and taught me new techniques; I learned to create a swan wing out of tissue on construction paper, use a sponge to make a background look like papyrus, and work with paper maché!In the curriculum, Ms. Kolaricintroduced us to Mesopotamian, Greek, and Egyptian history– it was like a grand tour of world art history!

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Later, when I worked at the Park (movie) Theatre, I was able to get hands-on experience with creatingsets for the lobby. I replicated scenes from the film that was showing at the time, and even got to recreate some of my favourites: Lord of the Rings and Apocalypse Now! After my cousin graduated from the Visual Arts program at Emily Carr and started working in the film industry, I realized that it’s a great place for me to express my creativity. With film, the sky’s the limit.

My official interest in makeup artistry started in 2008 when I became a volunteer with Anime Evolution. There, I was exposed to many talented cosplayers, photographers, and designers, who led me to pursue my passion as a makeup artist.

How do you think that social media is important for artists?

I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I manage seven social media channels for work and understandhow time consuming – yet important – it can be. It’s a great way to inspire, promote, and catalogue your work. You can use it to create a portfolio, help with your research, and mentor or connect with other artists. Still, one important thing to note is that one should always be careful of what they post. Always show respect and professionalism, as you are on displayall the time!It’s also important to remember that personalization is key; A catch phrase or a logo is what sets you apart from other artists.

Would you suggest your school, New Image College of Fine Arts, to other artists?

Absolutely! The small class sizes at New Image College are great. I’m in an evening class of 10, which I love because we really get to know, learn from, and inspire each other. I also receive more one-on-one time with teachers who provide constructive feedback, help the students realize their potential and turn their ideas into reality. As a whole, the school is responsive and adaptable in regards to problem resolution.When aconcern is raised, the president and teachers sit down with the class to discuss probable solutions. This opens communication between students and teachers, which fosters an inviting environment for all!

How has your education changed your work?

Key assets I learned in makeup school are to be flexible and open to new ideas. Each artist has their own unique style, some of which may extend beyond your comfort zone. When this happens, I embrace it and ask myself, “Why not?” At school, I also learned how to think analytically and ahead, which is critical in the fast-paced and ever-changing makeup industry. After all, you would not want a bride to become “Bridezilla” because you forgot to include extra eyelash glue in her take-away kit!

Where do you get the inspiration for your work?

I get my everyday inspiration mostly from the world of science fiction, fantasy, and Japanese anime, especially goth and punk. When it comes to techniques and mediums for communication, I draw on an art history course I took in university. In particular, the styles of Picasso, Lisa Steele, Yoko Ono, and Jackson Pollock inspire me.I also travel a lot and have been to different places in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North,Central and South America, which inspires my work both visually and expressively. Lastly, my grandfather taught me skills specific to the art of Chinese finger painting, which influences my work as well.

Do you consider yourself to have a niche in the makeup artistry industry?

To quote my Makeup for High Fashion teacher, Tiana Tran, my style is very “avant-garde and colourful”.

Do you cosplay, or help others cosplay?

Yes, I’ve cosplayed as Minion Dave and turned my friend into Minion Kevin from Despicable Me. Other cosplays I’ve done before include Poison Ivy from Batman, Ryuk from Death Note, and Sailor Galaxia from Sailor Moon. In total, each cosplay took me about 48 hours to complete.

What advice would you give to future makeup artists?

Volunteering for events is a good way to network and meet mentors. Jump at the opportunity to work on a gig, even if you don’t feel like you meet the qualifications. Tag team with a classmate or friend so that you can support each other. Keeping a positive attitude also helps, as negativity can affect more than just you. Most importantly, show respect to everyone you work with.

What will you be showing at this year’s expo?

In line with the fairytale theme, I will create a look based on nymphs. In Greek and Latin mythology, a nymph is defined as a minor female deity typically associated with a particular location or landform; They are the spirits who make nature come to life.

How does your personality or interests show in your work?

I love colours, and my favourite is purple, so I use a lot of it in my work.As a person, I’m a happy-go-lucky girl and feel that my work proves that; they’re upbeat, funky, and fun! I also love adventures and experimenting with new things, so the process of creating my art is equally as important to me as the art itself.

Your long-term goal is to have your own company. Can you explain what this would look like, and how/when you plan to get there?

During the next 3 years, I hope to build my repertoire as a makeup artist, event planner and communications specialist. Overall, I want to incorporate all of my skills and provide a one-stop, home-based shop for my clients! I think that the toughest task to do is coming up with a business name and going through all of the administrative and legal procedures.My family owned a floral business for over 20 years, so once the setup is complete, coming up with a business plan will be fun and easy. In 10 years, I hope to have a thriving business and have both local and international clients.

A Canvas in Motion-An Interview with Kinsey Deakin

By Alyssa Laube

About: Kinsey Deakin is a Vancouver-based artist working primarily in paint and mixed media. Her vibrantly coloured works use surrealist imagery to create dreamlike worlds where the animal and human form intertwine. Kinsey will be body painting and exhibiting work at this year’s expo.

You have many artistic interests other than body painting, which you will be doing at the expo. Can you name a few of these and how you got started in them?

Yes, I definitely have many interests, and at times it can be overwhelming! I’m a painter, mixed media artist, jewellery maker, hula hoop performer, and most recently, body painter! Hoop dance came only a few years ago, along with jewellery making, which were both mainly inspired by festivals and travelling. As for body painting, I see the human body as a canvas in motion, which makes things even more challenging and exciting! I can also make my own head pieces and accessories for my models costumes.

Why is creating art important to you?

Creating art is important to me because it allows me to express myself. I can be a story teller and share the gift of my imagination, hoping that others are inspired to share theirs.

Your work is very colourful and geometric. How do you like to use colour and shapes in your work?

I use colours and shapes to break apart the canvas. I like the idea of using them to quickly change the direction or mood a painting is going in. I need to feel that my work is balanced before I can see it as complete. Shapes, lines and colours are my tools.

Which cultures or trends inspire you?

I recently taught English in Korea and was inspired by the architecture of their temples. They were very colourful, childlike and detailed. I then traveled most of South East Asia and spent quite a lot of time in Indonesia. I guess you could say that I’ve been deeply influenced by the patterns, people, and nature of Asian culture. The current tropical themes in my work are coming from the nostalgia I feel towards my past travels.

The naked body, particularly women’s bodies, is a reoccurring image in many of your pieces. What about the female form is fascinating to you as an artist?

For me, the female body is just so obviously beautiful and elegant. A lot of my work revolves around nature, and the female form seems to organically occur without me having to think twice about it.

How would you like to explore or develop your art in the future?

That’s a good question. I would like to set up more of my own photo shoots or installation works. I would paint and style the model, build a surreal backdrop (I am greatly inspired by surrealism), then take a photograph of the finished work. The photograph would be the complete art piece. I am greatly inspired by the work of Jee Young Lee, a Korea-based artist.

What will you be showcasing at this year’s expo?

I will be showcasing my body art in the body painting competition as well as putting a couple of mixed media pieces into the art auction. I’m very excited to be a part of this competition!

You can find more of Kinsey’s work at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artistic-Bones/186013598258254