From my studio: David Farrés Calvo

My name is David Farrés Calvo, I was born in Badalona in 1955 and my teacher was the distinguished painter Don Manuel Sánchez Almendros. My great stroke of luck: not depending on painting for a living, which gives me enormous freedom in both subject matter and technique.

When and why did you start painting?

I can always remember myself painting, but it wasn't until about 10 years ago that I could start giving more time to it. When I was young I considered the possibility of devoting myself to the art world, but the drift of “official” art towards abstraction during the last century took me into private business as my main occupation.

How do you think a gallery and its artists should help each other?

Creating artworks and selling them are, I think, two completely different activities. The artist should be immersed in his main task, creating. Marketing professionals should help with that very difficult task of selling artworks, since not every artist is equipped to handle both roles. As in any business, this commercial activity has to bring in enough profit for both sides.

What advice would you give artists who are starting to show their artwork?

So far I've never met a painter who didn't want to show his artwork. When they feel ready, let them follow that natural inclination. The internet has undoubtedly made that job of getting the word out much easier.

How did you sell your first artwork? Is there one you feel a stronger connection with?

It was a few years ago now, through the internet, and there was no special story to it beyond the surprise and excitement it gave me, an unforgettable memory.

One of my favourite artworks of mine is Modelo 001 2013. It sums up what I like: simplicity, expressiveness, a loose brushstroke and an effortless execution.

What is art for you? What part does it play in your life? Do you make a living from art?

I'm very interested in recent research on the human brain. Evolution has given Homo Sapiens capacities that set us apart from other animals. One of them is being aware of our own individuality.

Every artwork tells a story that somehow changes the way we think and affects our consciousness directly. So we are different after looking at or making an artwork.

I don't make a living from art but it's with me all the time, it's part of me.

What are your sources of inspiration? Do you identify with any other artist?

Many famous artists of the 20th-century avant-gardes expressed their frustrations through their paintings. I'd like my painting to lean more towards happiness, expressing it and passing it on.

I admire Antonio López, for his paintings as much as for his personal path. There have been many influences, first of all my teacher Manuel Sánchez Almendros, and also the classical painters (I've sometimes copied their works in order to get closer to their technique in detail).

In your creative process, do you have any habit, practice or quirk that's peculiar or curious?

In my paintings I always try to make the centre of interest clearly defined. The path the eye will follow has to be taken into account as a fundamental requirement. Sometimes I destroy parts I've already painted so that they don't take on a prominence they shouldn't have.