Inside the Studio

VeeBee’s Exploration With Unique Mediums

What are the major themes you pursue in your work?

I like to choose simple subjects that fascinate me; incredible people, butterflies, birds… Generally I find more pleasure in focusing on perfecting specific techniques and experimenting with less usual materials rather than the theme.

How did you first get interested in your medium, and what draws you to it specifically?

Generally, I tend to get bored rather quickly. I have a vast collection of materials and mediums that I constantly experiment with. My most favourite is spray paints. They are truly versatile. The uniform smooth finish was what got me interested, but what I love most about spray paints is the challenge! Unlike the control you have over a paint brush, you can never really have total control over what comes out of a spray can!

How has your style and practice changed over the years?

I am always trying to teach myself new skills, and find new possibilities. It is like adding more tools to your tool box. The more experience you have, the more control you have over the final outcome.

Can you walk us through your process? Do you begin with a sketch, or do you just jump in? How long do you spend on one work? How do you know when it is finished?

It all starts with a vague image in my mind. I spend weeks or months studying the possibilities. I start basic sketching and planning each stage. As soon as I have a clear idea of how the finished artwork should look like, I start the actual process. The hard part is that things never go as planned. Specially if I’m working with unpredictable materials. I like perfection; if I make a mistake, I will go back and start from scratch. Sometimes it takes several attempts to achieve the finish I desire. I have had pieces that took over 18 months to perfect, but normally the process takes 1-8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design. Knowing when an artwork is finished is in my opinion very similar to tuning a guitar: you keep moving the pitch up or down until it hits the right spot. You just feel it, like a sudden sense of euphoria. I think this sensation might very well be the reason I keep painting!

Who are some of your favorite artists, and why?

Yayoi Kusama; pure sensation! Looking at her work makes my heart skip a beat, every single time!

If you could have only one piece of art in your life, what would it be?

All The Eternal Love I Have For Pumpkins by Yayoi Kusama!

About the Author

Evangelyn Delacare is the Associate Curator at Saatchi Art. Need help finding art? Contact her via our free Art Advisory service at saatchiart.com/artadvisory.