Canadian Mixed Media Artist ItsThaEl Interview

Introducing Vancity Committee Under above ground, In kahoots wit her roots, repping the flyish concious artist real to the realish respect due.. Welcome to the view, MRC the might rebels, pimp slappin devils.. on every and all levels.. bringing you quality over matter that doesn’t matter, No need for chit chatter, like funky homemade banana pancake batter, and all dat because this sis is all that, like Sly on the synth now enter the Labrynth ha ha..

Q. MRCPROMO: What’s good EL, where are you from?
A. EL: Im well thank you, thanks for having me. I’m from Vancouver, Canada aka Vancity, and shes taking me to places unknown.

Q. MRCPROMO: How did you get involved with art and what’s your favorite medium?
A. EL: Truthfully, Art was something I just did when the class was in session. I always enjoyed colors and being crafty but my inspiration or shall I say, motivation was lacking. When I paint, design or draw, I use a variety of mixed media; Acrylics, Oil, Aerosols and Ink. Usually, it all starts off with the basics pencils, pencil crayon, chalk, conte’ or charcol and my favorite, sharpie! Art in general is a practice, and so I enjoy a diverse collage of artful mediums. Self expression is badass!

Q. MRCPROMO: Where do you derive your inspiration from?
A. EL: That is a very heavy question. Lol. Where is there not to become inspired? My whole life has been Art from the get-go! Look around you! Yours too! Ive been blessed to have such incredible senseis who never seize to stop igniting my flame. Aside from school, my parents were heavy into music. My mom loved to dance and my dad liked listening to Beatles. ‘Nuff said? Ha, well, its usually at that moment when I’m listening to a tune and I catch a drift where Ill pick up a pen or pencil and start sketchin out.. and not in that sorta way. Something I was feeling or related to must have triggered me to want to express and just go nuts! Aside from that, if you got the time, its real good therapy, fun thing to do with children or it can help motivate you to see life in different angles.

Q. MRCPROMO: What projects are you currently working on?
A. EL: Whoa, currently my computer is need of some RAM butta,…Lots! Tons and tons of work to be done! Im actually in the midst of hunting down an art and print space. I plan to have an art show that will showcase most things I’ve been working on the past few years but its been a bit hectic having to move from one city to city all while juggling real life sitcheeations. I can never settle I’m thinking the Saturday before Christmas Ill launch a few design concepts that Ive left on the backburner for years. I got a poetry book and a pet line called Cheeba Treats Im releasing in the new year as well! Excited for that!

Q. MRCPROMO: What materials do you often use and why?
A. EL: Pickax, samurai swords and a whole lotta paper with numbers on them. Lol my main form at the moment would be canvas, painting materials; brushes, spray cans aka Aerosols ink and Acrylic. ha ha, My main form of weaponry has gots to be the music tho- its all in the Music. Time flies by when ur lost in your art! Often, I find myself crafting outta nowhere with whatever I have around me.. string paperclips, beads..Its all about being a Mcgyver.

Q. MRCPROMO: What was the last exhibition you went to?
A. EL: Humm, I just went to the doctors office and asked myself, “where the hell I was?” I swear I caught myself walking the perimeter reading artists name and looking at their pictures. It was nice. Seriously though, Vancouver has constant art shows and battles in Vancouver. I recently went to a show at Vancity’s Fortune Sound Club, Calabash Bistro and another at EastVans Rong Shop- Shop Wrong.

Q. MRCPROMO: How do you come up with the pricing for your pieces?
A. EL: I usually like to factor in my materials used, size, and then time I’ve invested. A lot of my work has been mostly about getting out there and finding out what people value. Im still just starting out so all prices are negotiable however, some pieces go for no less than a $500. When I tried my hand at photography, it seemed a lot easier but I couldn’t get my contrast and lighting right. So, because it takes a lot longer I feel those who value the art will be willing to pay.

Q. MRCPROMO: Where can we purchase your work?
A. EL: I have a a FB Artist page and a few things on ArtPal. Im not really pushing too much on Social media as there’s lots to be updated. I also have a tumblr page under #itsthael which I use for photos, Most time its in person and at shows. My website is being created as we speak.

Q. MRCPROMO: Any shows or exhibits coming up? Where can we see more of your work?
A. EL: I am having an art collab with a few other friends at Shop Wrong in Vancouver. I had to fight them to get their attention but they eventually welcomed me well with open arms! They are good peoples and always about helping the community and getting to know the people. Thats going to happen a week before Christmas. After that there’s not looking back!

Q. MRCPROMO: What’s been your greatest artistic success?
A. EL: Its actually been quiet difficult to find success as I feel I can be pretty hard on myself. Especially doin it all on my lonely. Realizing that, I understand that for the most part its because Im talented. Painting is only one of the many ways we as humans can chose to express ourselves, communicate and showcase whats going on inside and round us but we all got other tricks up our sleeves, all in due timing.

Q. MRCPROMO: Last words or shouts?
A. EL: Huge Shouts to Vancity for allowing my family to lay its roots in the city. My bredren and sistahs in the hood that came before me. Eastvan Smokes aka Urban City apparel, FWUH aka Dipt, the best radio show back in the day, 102.7 co-op radio with Maximus Clean and Angel, Rascalz, Swollen, Moka O, Vancity Nightclubs, Fortune, EastVan Moving, Archivest, Everybody in them Private school crew, St Pattys, ND, VC and More, my City Planners, whether good or bad, I loved them all. Respect!