Page 333 - YGARTUA : The Work Of A Genius
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wish to achieve. Working quickly does also capture a spontaneity
that brings life to the subject matter. Before I start the drawing I YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD BUT ALWAYS KEEP
already have in mind the placement of each face and the exact COMING TO GORLIZ. WHY?
place where I intend to start the mural. My Roots, my family, my heart, my friends from childhood I
believe that my past gives me direction to my future. Through
I always start from the eye and I then work outwards to create the their struggle came their strength and fortitude. The Basques
perfect position for the first face. Then like a jigsaw puzzle I branch fought so hard to preserve their race and culture that one
outwards creating the composition so it is balanced respectively to cannot go to the Basque Country without feeling this pride and
each face. I particularly like to work on murals where the faces are admiration of their resilience and determination.
from 10 to 15 feet, the impact of a face hundred times larger than
life becomes monumental in size. This is approached with a vision ONE OF YOUR MOST RECENT WORKS IS IN GORLIZ. WHAT IS IT
of the wall finished before you start. AND HOW DID IT FEEL PAINTING IT?
The Gorliz Mural. A New Expression, a New World Image. To
You need to see it in your mind’s eye just to get the perspective, create a Monumental Basque Mural portraying their pride, their
balance and correct proportions. You must always take on the culture, depicting a modern Basque image, to showcase my
opportunity of working without a projector, in this manner the work with the Basque theme, my roots and to allow others to
freedom of the hand will often bring that third dimension that you experience this mural on a world level is truly an honor for me.
have always been trying to achieve. It has been very important for me to create a mural for Gorliz.
It is only then when you will actually envision the subject matter The challenge to create a work of art that would penetrate the
on the wall. I always ask for the surface of the wall to be ready conscience of all, bringing awareness, a message to the world. I
and prepared ahead of time and like to sketch the face the first would like people to experience through my creation proudness
day and the next day I paint it. I work straight eight hours and am and pride to be Basque, the oldest white race of Europe.
intense on finishing the sketch the first day, this way you don’t lose
sight of what you wish to achieve. Working quickly also captures a YOUR WORKS ARE AROUND THE WORLD. WHERE CAN OUR
spontaneity that brings life to the subject matter. READERS (ALSO AROUND THE GLOBE) FIND IT? NEXT PROJECTS,
EXHIBITIONS?
YOU PAINT FREEHAND WITH A BRUSH AND WITHOUT THE AID Paul’s monumental and wall murals include a variety of subjects
OF PROJECTORS, EVEN IN LARGE MURALS. IT IS MORE DIFFICULT, ranging from Jazz, Sports, International Faces, Natives, Abstracts
OBVIOUSLY, SO WHAT DO YOU ACHIEVE WORKING THIS WAY? and can be found in many cities across the world from private
Being on the edge. Originality, spontaneity, freedom of expression. to Corporate, City and Museum collections.
I like to approach the wall as if it were a large canvas, it is more (Interview: https://euskalkultura.eus/)
interesting and more original to not use a projected image, more
of a fascination, more of a challenge; who wants it to be easy. I
want to experience the energy, the high of the challenge, your brain
has to be alert, concentration is at a peak at all times, and you feel
connected. I find this to be thrilling, exciting and more original and
the end result is much more satisfying.
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