yeg artist

Interview with Edmonton’s Soft Touch Photography

by Monika Blichar

Photography has to have an artistic eye behind it to stand out these days. After all, anyone with a smart phone can shoot and edit photos from their phones instantly today! When I saw Soft Touch Photography’s work come through on our submissions for our Edmonton show, I was excited because their photos not only capture the essence of a fleeting moment, but they are colourful, attractive and intriguing. Today, I caught up with Soft Touch Photography to learn more about their process.

1-What is Soft Touch Photography? When did you form your company?

Soft Touch Photography is a photography business runner by my husband and I, we formed our company in 2013, and had started as a dream, and now has developed into a reference only business and hopefully in the future more

2-You work with your husband. What are the best things about working together?

The best thing of working with my husband is that we compliment each other, we have fun, and keep each other focus and working towards something different that will take us outside the box, to create beautiful images and memories for our clients.

3-What kinds of things are your favourite to photograph and why?

This is a fun question because I love to photograph people and my husband loves outdoor photography. This works great for us because he is the one that finds the spots to do those amazing images that we sometimes are fortunate to have.

4-What kinds of products will you be selling and promoting at the Art World Expo Edmonton on Friday night?

We are going to be selling some of our most favourite prints.

5-Where would you like to see your photography business in five years time?

We see our photography business growing and being able for one of us to be full time in a studio someday soon.

6-Just for fun: Who is your favourite photographer and why?

My favourite is BARON STUDIO https://youtu.be/VQVZhEBdTT4–the reason why is because of their creativity.

Learn more about Soft Touch Photography on their Facebook Page.

Monika Blichar is an Entrepreneur and Artist. She is owner of Monika’s Art Boutique-Studio & Gallery in North Vancouver and producer of Art World Expo and Painting Dreams International Art Tours. She is always pushing boundaries as an artist and creative entrepreneur. Her love of the arts has been a part of her life since childhood.

Interview with Artist Shivee Gupta

by Monika Blichar

13502918_572400059607175_328159418897906627_o - Shivee Gupta (1).jpg

1-When did you start making art?

I always liked to draw and paint since age 5. But I seriously got into art in 2013.

2-Do you remember the first time you had an exhibition? What was it like to unveil your work publicly for the first time?

The first art exhibition I went to was in Wainwright at the Wainwright art show back in 2013. I was really nervous I did not think anything of it but the response from the community blew me away. I almost sold out.

21762246_796514783862367_2860994613839677875_n - Shivee Gupta (1).jpg

3-What kinds of things inspire you to make art?

Anything and everything. Sometimes it’s colours on furniture, shadows on walls, textures outside or the beautiful lady on the LRT staring out the window with the unique nose. It makes me want to capture that beauty and strength and put it on paper. I am highly influenced by social, racial, sexual injustices and much of my art reflects these themes.

shivee gupta art girl with pink hair watercolor - Shivee Gupta (1).jpg

4-Will you have any special pieces, sale items or exclusive Art World Expo offers at this year’s Art World Expo Edmonton at the Muttart on March 16?

I have two exclusive pieces from a collection that is incomplete and I have not released for sale quite yet. These two pieces are very special to me as these are where I pushed comfort zone as an artist. This eclectic style of art is where I really want to be in the future.

5-Where do you see your business in 5 years time?

I think by putting more time and effort into my business I can promote it to build a brand where quite a few people will know who I am and can easily access my work.

6-Just for fun: If you could time travel, where would you go and why?

I don’t think I want to. I am happy with where I am right now, but I guess I wouldn’t mind getting chased by dinosaurs.

To learn more about Shivee, visit her Facebook Page. Thank you Edmonton for a SOLD OUT event! See you on March 16 at the Muttart Conservatory.

monikaheadshot

Denis Bouvier: Edmonton Visual Artist

by Monika Blichar

Art can do so many things. One of those things is undoubtedly striking a cord within the viewer. What is it that does that to us? The messages behind the work? The talent demonstrated in the skill or technique? The magnitude of art is undeniable and in today’s world, it is exciting to see artists who know this and create work to inspire others.

Today, I had the chance to interview Denis Bouvier a talented Edmonton based oil painter who tells us about touching the spirit of another person through his work and what we can expect from his exhibit at the Art World Expo Edmonton on March 18. 2018.

1-What inspired you to want to start a career as an artist?

By creating from my own hands; I’ve become addicted to invoking emotional responses within observers. It feels great receiving feedback when I do something that touches the spirit of another person.

2-Were you encouraged as a child in the arts? Is anyone in your family artistic?

My mother and I oil paint together fairly regularly, she is a huge inspiration. As a child I saw both my parents as creative types, my Father, “the Fabricator” and my Mother, “the Decorator”. Luckily, I was raised in a home that allowed me to express my artistic self.

3-Your choice medium is oil. What do you like about oil painting?

Oil paints allow for phenomenal results when combined with skillful hands. No other medium creates the depth you can achieve, the colours are captivating.

4-Many of your works are inspired by nature. Is there a reason for this theme in your work? Why are you so inspired by Nature?

Nature is perfect and cannot be improved upon, breathing my life into wonders that will be here long after I’m gone just never goes out of style. Also, I enjoy painting eyes and attempting to capture a glimpse into the windows of a soul.

5-What can guests expect to see at your exhibition at the Muttart on March 16? Will you have contests or show specials?

I will bring a small sample of my different work, blue ocean life and life above sea level. Perhaps a painting of death also…

6-Just for fun: If you could be a superhero, what kind of super power would you have?

A superpower of my choice would be; the ability to fly anywhere in time or space, to be a fifth dimensional being.

To learn more about Denis’ work, visit his website and be sure to attend the Art World Expo Edmonton on March 16, 2018 at the Muttart Conservatory! There are under 100 tickets left-secure yours today!

Interview with Edmonton Artist Pavel Kroupko

by Monika Blichar

I love meeting artists from other areas of the world who have immigrated to Canada. Being an immigrant from Poland myself has taught me a lot about appreciating culture, opportunities and about being patient with myself and others who experience being part of two worlds. When Pavel Krouppko submitted his application for our Art World Expo Edmonton event, I was intrigued not only by his diverse work, but also how his work is affected not only by his cultural background but also his welding profession. His work is a blend of cultural representation near and far while also reveling in hard and concrete materials. I caught up with Pavel to hear what he had to say about his work and art.

1-When did you start making art and when did you know that you wanted to pursue art as a career?

Moving around a lot when I was young gave me more time to be creative. It takes time to make new friends in new place but Art was always there. I also seen many different places and things and that always bring some kind of inspiration even if long time passed since the time you saw them, you can always dig in your memories.

2-You moved a lot when you were young. How do you think moving around has impacted your creativity?

No I have not been back to Russia since 1997. It’s something I want to do in near future. As far as art scene goes, I have been making art since 1997. I decided that I want to do it as a career about 3 or 4 years ago.

3-Originally, you are from Russia and moved to Canada when you were 15. Do you still visit? Do you think that the art scene in Russia is comparable to the one in Canada?

In Russia, it is very much like here. Russian people have always been influenced by the Western World. So many of the trends that are here are also there. I follow many Russian artists from Art teacher at Universities to Airbrush schools and Tattoo artists to Metal sculpture creators. Much inspiration all around the world.

4-You are a versatile artist but also a welder. How has welding influenced your art?

Welding and art. Been a pressure vessel welder everything must be clean meaning shiny ground metal before you can weld on it. So I seen lots of ground metal and welders love their shiny things. My ground metal work shows that. And fabrication skill can easily be applied to making sculptures.

5-What can guests expect to see at your exhibit? Will you have any Art World Show Specials or contests running at your booth?

There will be lots of ground metal work, airbrush oil paintings and charcoal. I will have some discounted items.

6-Where would you like to see your art in the next five years? Do you have a big goal for your work you would like to share?

In 5 years, lol! I just want to be able to do it full time and make reasonable living on it. I will continue to grow as and artist and we will see where it takes me.

7-Who is your favourite artist?

Bob Ross. I can watch that guy for hours. I learned oil painting from his videos.

To learn more about Pavel and his work, visit his Facebook Page. Be sure to get your ticket to the Art World Expo Edmonton at the Muttart Conservatory today! This event will be the best art show of the season in Edmonton-you don’t want to miss it!

Interview with Edmonton based artist Mr. Patrick Ennis

by Monika Blichar

Every once in a while, I come across an artist that is both proficient in marketing and creation. Let me tell you, this is not a common denominator in the Art World! When I do happen to find an artist who is steadfast about his or her career and is taking hold of all angles of business as much as he or she is creating, it gets me excited! One of the many things that we at Art World try to teach artists is that they need to be their own advocate for their art and really be their own brand ambassador. Mr. Patrick Ennis is doing just that and we are thrilled to have him be one of the artists in our Edmonton show on March 16.

Today, I caught up with Mr. Patrick Ennis whom I hear is a staple in the Edmonton art scene. Here’s what he had to say!

1-When did you start making art?

I have been painting 14 years and have made about 3000 paintings, had dozens of art shows across Canada as well as participated in a T.V show called “Painting with Pat”. I have worked with many people over the years, including being an artist in residence at the Lotus Art Galley and Isbe Domain Gallery . I received formal training from the last Poet Laureate of Ottawa the Honorable Patrick White.

2-You are working full time on your art. What kinds of things do you do daily to be able to turn your art into a full time career?

When I start my day doing work, I usually pre-paint the canvas and draw out the sketch. I try and get to work in the mornings, and spend the afternoon networking and advertising.

3-A lot of your work has reference to the universe. What draws you to painting this subject matter so often in your work?

I have always been fascinated with space, it’s kinda the Biggest thing in the universe, and the mother of life and creation. I also look for similarities in life, like patterns that replicate like the way trees grow like veins,or the universe existing on a microscopic level.

4-What kinds of pieces will you have at the Art World Expo Edmonton? Will you be offering any show specials or contests at your exhibition?

I am going to have a variety of paintings at the Edmonton Art Expo, from still life to surrealism, and landscapes. I find people take creativity more seriously if you can also paint realistic art.

5-What has been the most interesting thing about being an artist so far on your journey?

The most interesting thing about being an artist is it’s always different. Everyday the possibilities are endless. To quote Einstein “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited.”

6-If you could achieve anything with your work, what would be your dream within your art business?

I have always enjoyed the responses to my art the most. Having people have their minds blown by creating illusions of perspectives that can’t exist in the physical universe, but can be created using art. I often merge realities like people swimming in nebula. Art is very subjective to the person viewing it and the real mystery is that people can have different emotional responses to the same painting.

To learn more about Patrick, visit his Facebook page HERE. Get your tickets to the event today! Limited number remain!

Share this: