My Three Favorite Artists
My Three Favorite Artists
I was doing a blog topic brainstorming session with myself a few months back and I realized I always get asked, “Who are your favourite artists? Who inspires and motivates you?” So I thought this would be an awesome topic to share with you this month. It takes a village to be an artist and a part of the journey is surrounding yourself with fellow artists that will hold you up when you can’t do it on your own, who will be your supporters and promoters and who inspire you from afar.
These three incredible artists and amazing humans probably don’t know it, but they have helped influence, inspire and mould my journey as a creator. So I wanted to formally say “thank you” to them, and share them with you. I could write for hours and pages about all the things I love about each of these artists, but let’s just start with my favourite few reasons. Make sure you check out their websites and be sure to follow them on social media to find out all those other reasons that make them awesome!
ZOE PAWLAK
Zoe Pawlak probably needs no introduction. but in case you are not familiar with her and her work, she is an exceptionally well known Canadian Artist and Designer that has always had a special place in my heart. She is known for her gestural figurative paintings and dreamy abstract landscapes. Over the years, she has created a brand for herself that has taken the world by storm and I have always been in awe of her and how her artist journey has unfolded.
One of the things that I love most about Zoe (aside from her insanely gorgeous art) is her philosophy on customer service and building relationships. I have always prided myself on creating an unforgettable experience when people come to view and buy my work and Zoe lives and breathes this as well. She values her admirers, her collectors and her fans and she never hesitates to make sure they all know how much she appreciates each of them. (I read an article once that shared how Zoe used to invite collectors to her place and prepare them a good home cooked meal so she could really get to know those that supported her. That blew my mind and only put her higher on my pedestal).
I’ve had the honor of meeting Zoe on a few occasions and what always makes me smile and love her even more, is that she always makes it a point to come over and say hello. She doesn’t have to, she’s busy enough that I wouldn’t expect her to, but she does. That kind of simple gesture doesn’t go unnoticed and has the power to create lasting impressions.
Zoe has found a way to emphasize a component of the art world that is often lacking (authentic relationships and connection) and now she is a common household name and definitely one of my favorite artists of all time!
BLU SMITH
I had the privilege of meeting Blu when we exhibited together at the 2017 IDS Vancouver Design Show. Our art shared a wall for four days and in the quieter moments of the show, I got to know how delightful, funny, determined and talented this man truly is.
Victoria, BC based, Blu creates probably my favorite abstract art I have ever seen. I know that’s a bold statement, but there is just something about the bold colors he uses, his nature inspired compositions and then the insanely powerful and unparalleled “light” he creates that just spanks you in the face with wonder and awe in every piece that he makes. I have never been more moved looking at art than I have with Blu’s work and that is why he is definitely in my top 3 favorite creators.
Art is supposed to make you feel something when you look at it and Blu always delivers that. I always find that if I am feeling blue (hahaha) or need a little energy pick me up or just want some extra added pep in my step, I head straight to Blu’s instagram page. Nothing sparks joy more than revelling in the brilliance he creates.
Aside from being a talented painter, he is also extremely hard working and determined. He is represented by numerous galleries all over North America and he could very well just relax and enjoy those successes. But what I continue to see, is that he is always looking for ways to be in the studio and grow as an artist. Most artists would say that this is normal and that we all do this, but there is this delightful intensity that I feel sets him apart from the rest of us.
One day I will get my very own Blu Smith original. In the meantime, I am excited to continue revelling in his talents and admiring his work ethic from afar and will forever be grateful that I get to say that I exhibited beside him.
I have never met a harder working and more prolific painter than Charlie Easton.
Charlie has a studio in Vancouver, but let’s face it, he’s known most for his epic adventures out into the wilderness where he creates his masterpieces. Adorned with a jacket and toque, or sandals and drones, Charlie travels to some of the most beautiful places the world has to offer and through his recreations of the scenery he sees, he allows us to come on that journey with him.
Despite being a full time husband and dad, Charlie never ceases to amaze me with how dedicated he is to his craft. Whenever I am feeling unmotivated to get into the studio to create, I often find myself saying “if Charlie can lug all his painting gear up a dang mountain in the dead of winter, then I can surely take my glass of wine downstairs and get to work.”
Charlie paints beautiful landscapes, but what I love most, is that he has taken painting landscapes to a whole new level. He has been creative with his ability to build a brand around his adventures and I have always thought this was such a unique way of stepping outside the box and being different. It is really hard to be a thriving artist and Charlie brilliantly found a way to shine.
I am so proud to be a Vancouver artist. This city is crawling with incredible talent and I am grateful that I get to be a part of this group that shares their talents through creativity. Whether you are admiring from afar or actually able to collect original art, I think it is so important that you make sure you source out your local artists that you adore and let them know how important they are to you.
Zoe, Blu and Charlie, thank you for your undeniable talents, your never ending inspiration and for never giving up on what you were clearly put on this earth to do!
