Linus Gallery is an online gallery that embraces sophisticated art from all over the world and from many different kinds of artists. We admire great art and like to promote our artists as much as we can. Today’s artist is Victor Sanchez, an acrylic painter living in Brussels, Belgium.
Are you self taught or did you formally study art?
I started studying at the Brussels Fine Art School aged 16. But as far as I can remember, I’ve always been drawing. So, going to the Art School was obvious even if nobody in my family had an artistic background. The Art school helped me to accept becoming an artist.
How did you conquer your fears about becoming an artist?
I did not have fears to become an artist, it was totally obvious to me and to my parents. Yet, I had a lot of doubts. It was only a long time after I had finished the Art School that I dared to call myself an artist even though I had started working as an illustrator for ad agencies.
What do you see as the future of your chosen medium and fellow artists who use the same medium as you?
If you refer only to the final result or to the visual aspect of the painting, I think it could be replaced with digital painting as software and printers are improving more and more. But nothing will actually replace the feeling of your brush stroking on the canvas and the energy you receive through the painting and materials.
What historic artists inspired you?
There are many painters that inspired me as I mainly have an eclectic taste, be it in music or in fine arts. Obviously, I feel comfortable painting in a realistic style but I like all sort of other painting techniques, styles or subjects by various artists.
Dali has always been my mentor. Not only as a painter but especially for the character he developed during his artist’s life. I also love Frida Kahlo’s work, Klimt, Egon Schiele, Alma-Tadema and some artists from earlier centuries, VanEyck or Velasquez.
What subject matter appears most in your artwork? What do you love about that subject? What do you dislike?
I like to go beyond my models outer appearance, I try to unveil their inner self. I’m more attached to render personalities, rather than portraiting postures. I’m always considering it as a unique gift, when a model opens up his or her soul to me.
This is a hard choice for many visual artists, but what is the first answer that comes to mind when you think of your favorite color?
It really depends on my mood. I love cadmium red color, but sometimes, my favorite color is the ultramarine blue or blue-green.
What musical artist/band are you currently listening to when you are creating?
As I told you, my taste is very eclectic in art, so is it in music also. When painting, I may be listening to Pergolesi, Purcell or Handel, but I’m also fine with Queen, U2 or David Bowie …
In fact, listening to music really helps me a lot when painting. It enables me to achieve a very deep inner focus, so that I can bring out all my energy and use it for painting. Most recently, I’ve been listening to Mosaïque by Ash for example.
What type of art don’t you do, but greatly admire?
Sculpture. I admire sculptors because not only do they need to be very talented but they also have to think in 3D and it is such hard work.
What, in your opinion, is the hardest part in making art?
To succeed in expressing the feelings I would like to share.
If you could go to any city or area to make art for a month, where would it be?
That’s a very difficult question to me. I am very sensitive to the energy and environment of a place. Sometimes, I want to go to a place and just discover that it is empty of energy, and I cannot work there. Other times, I arrive to a city and I become mad having so many ideas coming to my mind. To answer your question, that right now, I am considering going to San Francisco … ahahah.
Describe your daily routine
I start every day at 9:00 with some administrative paperwork, answering to emails, phone calls …). About 2 hours later, my routine work is done. I then put on my artist skin and everything can happen. But most of the time, I spend my time painting. Sometimes very late as my energy is at its best in the evening until late in the night.
Have you ever gone through a period of “quitting art”?
I have never had such a thought. Being in Art has never been a choice, I just need it. I always knew that I would do Art. Art is inside me, that is a question of survival. If I quit art, I would quit life.
Where would you like to travel?
I am preparing to travel to the USA where I have some friends waiting for me.
Where are you in your life?
I am at the beginning of my life, ahahah. I still have so many paintings to do and so many beautiful projects yet. As for my artist’s life, every time I’ve been achieving a goal I had set to myself, my mind was already on the next one. Today, I am so much further than I could have planned, and each additional step I make, I consider it to be a gift from life.
More about Victor Sanchez’s life and work can be seen on his artist website.