LADy LaMb&Popsy

q)So, can you tell me a little about yourself? Full name, age, some background info, etc?

a)Francois van Reenen.
37years old.
Living in Cape Town, South Africa.
Graduated at Stellenbosch University(40km from Cape Town) 
                                                   

q)How did you get started making art?

a)My  Grandmother use to give me sweets/candy for drawings

q)How would you describe your art?

a)Candy coated cyanide bits.

q)Who is your biggest influence, both art and non-art related

a)Paul McCarthy, David Lynch, Baseman,William Burroughs, Nara.

q)How do you approach the creation of a new piece… how does everything come together?

a)It starts with a "ping" _like "Hey that would look great and if I don’t write it down immediately it is lost forever, recycled into the ether."
I then make a small thumbnail drawing. and it evolves from there, I revisit themes and they evolve into new works.

q)What’s your favorite medium to work in, and why?

a)Polyurethane foam, Because it can kill ya.

q)What is your favourite art related web site?
  
a)I can’t think of a favourite right now
                            
q)Is your work all hand done? Or do you use any computer tools to help out?

a)I use a lot of computer, obviously the animation and the digital prints are all done on ‘puter and  I also have started doing "design assists"on computer for all the hand made sculpture.

q)What, in your opinion, are the best and worst places to exhibit artwork?

a)The best is with a gallerist that you like and can trust, the worst, in a restaurant.

q)I’m always interested in where an artist find their inspiration. Where do you find       yours?

a)Day to day experiences. media everything anything, the good the bad and the ugly.

q)How are the reactions on your work in general?

a)Generally good. When I was a student  I did have a good comeback though. At the time I was making very realistic wax sculptures with mechanics in them that was triggered by a motion detector. This elderly lady came up to me and gave me a deep stare and said: " You must smoke a lot of cannabis, don’t you."
Shit, I had to laugh.

q)What are you doing when you are not creating art?

a)Not much. really. Trying to control my 2 puppy-dogs!

q)What are some of the greatest challenges that you think artists face today?

a)Keeping ones studio tidy.
Keeping the business side of things running smoothly.
                                                  

q)Do you believe that a person is born with a talent to produce art or can anyone can be taught?

a)I don’t think one is born with talent or even taught to be creative I think one must just truly want to be creative.
A desire to make art …

q)Are there any particular works you’ve done that stand out as your favorites?

a)I don’t really have favourites but the works I do like looking at the most are

q)What are some current/upcoming projects you are working on or excited about?

a)Solo exhibition  in Johannesburg at the ABSA gallery. Huge gallery, and I’m really very excited about that show.

q)What advice would you give to younger up and coming artist?

a)Work really hard, experiment as much as you can. don’t give up

q)Who are your favourite artists &  Your favourite galleries?

a)Baseman, Kitai,  August Rodin, George Baselitz, Tracy Emin, Paul Mc Carthy
in South Africa I’d say my favourite galleries are Micheal Stevenson and 34Long

q)Do you need others to tell you they like it before you feel validated?

a)Someone once told me "good art " will always have a fifty fifty response but then again everyone likes a bit of positive feedback.

q)Tell us a little about some of the different types of jobs you’ve had over the years,    before/while doing what you do now. For someone who is starting out in art, how would you recommend they go about making a career out of it?

a)Waiter 3 years
animator in a advertising web company 1 year.
Realized I am in fact, unemployable.
Moved into art.
Advice for young and old: Picture your goals clearly.
See your career as a long standing one, not just for the here and now.
This will help you with surviving the blows and there will be blows.
 Be patient. Start small. Don’t overprice your work in the beginning. Build up relationships.
Take calculated  risks.