Psychologist by profession, artist by calling. I'd describe myself as forever curious. I'm a very restless person, eager to explore and discover new sensations.
When and why did you start painting?
I've been drawing as long as I can remember. I always picture myself with a pencil and a piece of paper in my hand. Little by little the world of colour won me over and I swapped the pencil for the brush.
Even though I studied at several academies, where I learned the basics, I consider myself self-taught. My style comes from experimenting with paint and from mixing reality with fantasy. Painting makes me free, and through my artworks I'm able to show myself and express myself just as I am.
How do you think a gallery and its artists should help each other?
I think the collaboration should go both ways. The model that rules right now is that an artist, on top of agreeing a percentage with the gallery for every artwork sold, has to pay, and not symbolic amounts, simply to exhibit their artworks. Especially those of us who are emerging or haven't yet earned our place in artistic circles. We can't always cover that expense. I understand galleries have to make a living, but they should offer more opportunities to new artists.
What advice would you give to artists who are starting to show their work?
Perseverance. We artists are forced not just to paint (in my case) but also to act as salespeople, not so much to sell as to show our work. It's important to "squeeze" every resource for all it's worth. More and more spaces are joining the art current and want to offer that little extra in their premises or facilities, be they civic centres, restaurants, etc.
How did you sell your first artwork? Is there one you feel a stronger connection with?
I sold my first artwork 4 years ago. It came out of an exhibition in a restaurant, one of the customers took an interest in one of my paintings and ended up buying it. It's called Cefalú and it tells the story of a trip to Sicily and of a beautiful fishing village.
I'm attached to several artworks, but the one I feel the strongest connection with is Traffic. It was with that one that I discovered my style.
What is art for you? What part does it play in your life? Do you make a living from art?
Art is fundamental in my life. Any form of artistic expression. I like enjoying it as a spectator and as an active participant.
Do I live off art? Without a doubt, yes. Not financially, but it is the engine of my life. I hope the day comes when my passion and my calling also become my profession.
What are your sources of inspiration? Do you identify with any other artist?
The artists I look to and also draw inspiration from are Picasso and Van Gogh, for their groundbreaking work and their different way of interpreting everyday scenes. Oskar kokoschka for his wild use of light and colour. Kess Van Donguen for his fauvist painting. Among contemporary artists I love the work of Ramon Moscardó and, of course, the freshness of Jordi Labanda.
What is it about your creative process that makes it special?
I always paint working from a black and white image. From there I try to put my moods down in colour, which is why I always paint places I've visited before and that have left a mark on me. I love distorting established forms, trying to be original and breaking academic moulds that limit creativity. What matters in painting is the expressive power it gives you. For me it's important not to imitate a photograph, that's something which to my mind adds nothing. You have to leave a part of your soul, something that's different, in your artworks, and not think so much about whether the painting is well or badly executed, that's something that comes with time and constant practice... and if it doesn't come, better to bring spirit than to bring technique.
Have you held any exhibition lately, what can you tell us? Do you have any project in mind?
Yes, for its emblematic setting I'd single out an exhibition I took part in last November, at the Grand Palais in Paris, "Exposicion Internacional Dessin & Peinture a l'Eau".
I'll soon be exhibiting at the 12 Feria Internacional de Arte Genova, in Italy, and I have several exhibitions scheduled in different restaurants in my city, Barcelona.
Could you recommend us:
An artist: Oskar Kokoschka.
An artwork: Londres vista desde el Támesis, by Oskar Kokoschka.
A book: I love crime fiction, so I'll recommend Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano novels.
A film: The Seventh Seal by Ingmar Bergman.
Thank you very much.
We invite you to see Raúl Ballesta's gallery and the review of his work on Artelista.
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