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THE PROOF is a weekly roundup showcasing local creatives. A column for creatives to share their story and work, in a unique, concise format: each creative shows 8 pictures and answers 8 questions. Past participants include Bob Kronbauer, Omer Arbel, Carson Ting, Lizzy Karp, Branislav Henselmann, Hannah Georgas - all living in Vancouver. |
I am lucky to say that I have been partners with Rebecca Chaperon for almost 10 years. During this time I have witnessed her ascent from arts and crafts shows at the Legion into the good graces of the Canada Council for the Arts. This is for a good reason, she works diligently at what she does, plus she has some serious talent.
When other people talk about working hard at their craft, Rebecca is living it. In fact she's probably at the studio right now, blasting some rowdy rap music and drinking tea (or red wine) and painting up a storm.
Her work has been shown recently in Chicago and she has three shows this fall in Vancouver. This is in addition to the illustrated book that is being released this winter. All this is part of the hustle that Rebecca puts into her work everyday, creating beautiful images and sharing the process and results with her audience.
Ben Macdonell
THE PROOF
1. Freshly finished painting called Caught on a Wind from a Parallel Dimension. It's so satisfying to finish things.
2. Donning the appropriate studio attire. There is so much acrylic paint on this apron that it has become mostly plastic and kind of inflexible in some areas.
3. A sunny day in the studio and new work on the easel.
4. Gluten free biscotti from MyGoodness Gluten Free bakery - it's amazing and I eat one every Saturday unless I'm out of town. Arlene puts the chocolate on it because she knows I like it that way.
5. Studio still life. Check out the pink paint water.
6. Swishing brushes in the crusty water jar to get them clean between colours. I love the sound this makes.
7. This is my drawer of green. I use alot of green.
8. A few of my 8"x10" original paintings created for illustrating my new book Eerie Dearies released fall 2013.
Follow Rebecca on Facebook and Twitter.
Rebecca has a two-person show with Angela Fama coming up on October 17th at Initial Gallery. Details are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/137503289794364/
THE QUESTIONS
1. What neighborhood do you live in?
Mount Pleasant.
2. What do you do and where?
I create paintings and in the past year I had the opportunity to illustrate my own book Eerie Dearies. So now I'm an artist and an illustrator all from my painting studio in Mount Pleasant.
3. What are you working on?
Currently I am working on paintings of icebergs that are peppered with rainbow confetti. At the same time I am creating these soft landscape paintings that contain these strange, portal-like voids in them.
4. Where can we find your work?
5. Who are your role models?
I love some of the surrealists, Remedios Varo is my favourite. I follow many current artists as well.
6. What keeps you going in this industry?
There is so much to make and explore and I have a passion for developing my skills and aesthetics with each series I create. I have the support of great friends, as well as my infinitely patient partner Ben who helps me keep going even when the workload is a bit intense. I'm also really driven by the rewarding opportunities I have had. I feel very fortunate.
7. If you had a chance to start your career all over again, how would you do it differently?
I'd like to say that I would take better care of my paint brushes. But I know that's a lie.
8. What advice do you wish someone would have given you when you were young?
Ignore most advice and try to figure out what you actually want to make, do or be. Advice that I later received from seasoned artists was, don't quit, be patient and stick with it. That is some of the best advice I have received from another artist.
If you were going to recommend a creative to VIA, who would it be? (optional)
