Page 9 - YGARTUA: Magnum Opus - volume one
P. 9
There is an energy, a high when creating? in other countries. In the early 70’s I started
When you are influenced by everything painting the North American Native, I found
around you, whether it is the people in strength and a passion for a race struggling
the world, their culture or nature itself– for their identity similar to the Basque
it is emotional and personal. It is these People of northern Spain. These influences
emotions that one tries to express–an inside dominated my work for many years; even
view of your thoughts, your feelings and today I still feel a need to create with a
your ideas. I sketched, as a child, with my passion and strength that captivates our
Mother, who was also a painter. When we mind and soul. I like to stir one’s emotions;
returned to the Basque Country, Northern I like my patrons to feel this energy that
Spain, my Father’s birthplace, for the runs through me.
summer vacations, I used to work alongside
her on location. I attended the Liverpool I search for interesting subject matter
School of Art in England, specializing in that has vibrancy and movement; then
Gold and Silversmithing. I took life-study incorporating this emotion into my subject
but I didn’t take Painting and it wasn’t involves the viewer, transporting one to
until I immigrated to Canada that I changed another world. The challenges of different
direction and started making a living solely subject matter are always inspiring and
from my art in 1970. fascinating; I enjoy working straight eight
to ten hours, intense, with high energy; this
My family and I have always travelled becomes a real physical workout on my
extensively and throughout my life I have larger works.
been influenced by other cultures. My I generally work on 4x4 feet paintings and
interest, no doubt, comes from my Basque larger. Murals give you a vast expanse, the
Heritage, the oldest white race of Europe. largest canvas you can ever hope to get,
This influence has also directed me to the expanding your perimeters and challenging
varied subject matter I seek out when living yourself to the highest limits
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