Art_Market__December_2022

John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

Art is an expression from the soul, and the soul is something limitless.
This is why I am always searching for different elements to bring into the work."

The Masks Artist Top : Ok I Am, I Am, 2021
John Paul Fauves Acrylic on canvas
60 3/5 × 48 × 2 in
154 × 122 × 5 cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

ohn Paul Fauves addiction, and redemption being - a theme conceived in 2015 was
(b. 1980) is a prominent throughout his works. introduced to the NYC art scene with
contemporary Costa John Paul formulated much of a solo show with The TAX Collection.
Rican Artist who his technique and subject matter This series dealt with the innocence
lives and works in under the guidance of Joaquin we observe in children (for John,
San Jose. Heavily influenced by Rodriguez Del Paso throughout this was his young son) and how
the Fauvist movement of the early the 90s and early 2000s - and then we grapple with knowing they will
20th century - John Paul seeks to spent fifteen years developing his inevitably lose this fragile worldview
eternally question and challenge signature fusing of pop culture icons as they are exposed to the cruelty
viewers. His themes deal with all with sinister and ever-changing and beauty of the outside world.
aspects of the self: temptation, elements. "A Loss of Innocence"

Art Market Magazine 101

ver since I was a little
kid, I have always
struggled to see how
I fit into this world.
I struggled with being
born into a structure that depends on
people's willingness to change and fit
in.
I always knew I wanted to do art, but I
have faced many rejections as an artist
since I was 15 years old and started
to paint. Because of those rejections,
I followed my family's expectations,
studied business, got a master's degree,
and got a desk job.
After working the rat race for a few
years, I ended up falling heavily into
drugs. It was some kind of a paradox
because they became my freedom even
though they almost killed me. I could
also detach myself from the fear of what
society was thinking of me through that
suffering. I was at my worst period, and
the judging didn't kill me as I thought it
would.

When you lose it all and end up on
the streets, you learn to not care
about anything but do what's good
for you and your family. What other
people think stops mattering.

So I finally followed my dream and experience where I could channel how you look to others is rewarding.
started making art for myself. my physical, spiritual, and mental Finding your connection between
I found the fauvist movement, where my energy. mind and soul is above all else, and
name came from. The name essentially When judgment is gone, you feel the I try to signify that through my art.
translates to the wild beast, and artists freedom to create. I started to paint You only have one breath in this
in the movement like Matisse were wearing a mask so I could create lifetime, and using it to become
considered as a wild beast by the without ego. I could detach myself what you think others want you to
French oligarchy & art critics. Even from the idea that something has to become is a waste, in my opinion.
their techniques were wild, sometimes be in a certain way so it will be liked.
painting straight from the tube and The masks are a life project. I've Top: Things Are Happening
using their hands instead of brushes. been focused on masks for 18 years 53.9 x 70.8 in
Starting to paint in this crazy way (since I started painting). It is also Acrylic on Canvas
helped me avoid all my temptations. partly to show people that being John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved
Creating art turned into this visceral connected to myself without caring
Art Market Magazine
102

Art Market Magazine Don't Be Losing Your Head Now.
Acrylic on canvas, 170cm x 80cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

103

104 Art Market Magazine

"For me,
inspiration
comes in a
few different
forms - but I
am constantly
perplexed and
intrigued with
the human
population that
surrounds me on
a daily basis."

Left Page: Black Tie Events are
Pretentious, Acrylic on canvas,
170cm x 80cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

Right Top: ELMU, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
39 2/5 × 45 3/10 × 2 in
100 × 115 × 5 cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

Right Bottom: One More Drink, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
39 2/5 × 45 3/10 in
100 × 115 cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

Art Market Magazine 105

Cerberus,
Acrylic on canvas, 170cm x 80cm
John Paul Fauves ©
All rights reserved

106 Art Market Magazine

THE NEW WORLD AS ENVISIONED BY JOHN PAULFAUVES

The Metaverse, NFT’s, and AvatarSkins

ohn Paul face than behind a mask. John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved than showing attention to
Fauves sees Most humans go through a pursuit of perfection. In
the world their days exhibiting unbridled optimism our current world, we've
a little imperfectly matched about our purpose on been handed a deck of
differently behavior, meaning that their Earth. Perhaps the most cards and been told that
than you or me. When asked face does not accurately important thing to take playing them is our only
how old he is, he says he only emote what their brain is away from how Fauves option, and for a while,
knows for sure how old his feeling. We've all smiled thinks is understanding that was true. No longer.
body is, but not how old he is when we're feeling sad. that we are fallible
himself. We've all remained stoic beings, capable of In a rapidly evolving
"Honestly, my mind feels when every fiber of our making mistakes. world, we have reached
much younger than my being wants desperately to It is the redemption that the point where a new
body, and my soul feels scream inside us. We feel the makes us beautifully world is no longer a
like it has been here for need to hide our true selves human. distant possibility but
thousands of years," because humans innately are Showing attention to rather a reality.
he says. insecure, always caring about human failings becomes
Where are we going? How do our perception of others. We a surer path to a happy
we get there? How much can feel the need to be perfect, and fulfilling existence
we shape our future? These always presenting an air of
are the questions that drive invincibility and strength
the man behind the mask. that isn't always there. This
Fauves chooses to remain has led to a universal self-
anonymous, and as a result, expression canon of sorts,
he dons a variety of masks telling us exactly how we
he's made himself. can represent ourselves and
in which ways we cannot.
Rather than to protect his Fauves aims to disassemble
privacy, he does so to prove this and, in turn, create a
a point— the same point he's form of expression that is
out to prove with his latest boundless.
project: Avatar Skins. The man behind the mask
"We have lived on farms, passionately believes
we live in cities, and now that we are in control of
we are going to live on the our own world. His tenets
internet." seem to stem from many
Your body should be places, sometimes sounding
purely a vehicle for self- part Kierkegaard-ian, as
expression and fulfillment, he exhibits an almost
devoid of judgment or paradoxical blend of
expectations. It might sound melancholy and idealism,
counterintuitive, but it is of despair about the
easier to hide behind your human condition and yet

Art Market Magazine 107

Phantombat,
Acrylic on canvas, 170cm x 80cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

Right Page: SuperGlitch,
Acrylic on canvas, 170cm x 80cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

We have lived on farms, we live in cities, take things to levels that go beyond the a tool that can help you understand
and now we will live on the internet. understanding of living. your true self.
The Metaverse gives us a second chance So we have a skin that is part of our Avatar Skins is a concept designed
to make a world truly for the people, by singular body, but in reality, we are to awaken people. The main mission
the people. And in it, you can become constantly manipulating our image by behind avatar skins is to make people
whoever you want. This is what he aims the way we accessorize and cover our discern their souls as an immortal
to inspire within people with Avatar body; all the materialistic elements we beings. Being able to project our
Skins. tend to believe represent us and make essence in the form of omnific, artistic
our ego grow. self-expression is where our true value
"The main mission behind avatar The skin is a journal representation of lies.
skins is to make people discern the many personalities and aspects Therefore, coming into this new virtual
their soul as an immortal being. surrounding the ideology of existence world lets individuals realize that the
Being able to project our essence in in this reality. Avatar skins are the skin in which they are right now is
the form of omnific, artistic self- introduction towards the new world. almost disposable, and what really
expression is where our true value They provide a tool for expression in the has value is the divinity within their
lies." new virtual reality. You can change your human essence. This essence is allowed
skin; therefore, you can change how you to experiment, fail, succeed, change,
The human skin represents the suit that emote and how you want to represent and disrupt. But, most importantly, an
we use and wear during this journey yourself, evolving alongside you to essence that is unapologetically and
called life, the voyage in which we are create limitless avenues for expression. undoubtedly yours.
submerged in, in which we feel and It is the beginning of a manifestation,

108 Art Market Magazine



Do You See What I See? Website: johnpaulfauves.com
Acrylic on canvas, 170cm x 80cm Instagram: @lefauves
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved Twitter: /johnfauves
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fauves
The Masks Artist
John Paul Fauves Art Market Magazine

110

Amalgamation, 111
Acrylic on canvas, 170cm x 80cm
John Paul Fauves © All rights reserved

Art Market Magazine

LUCAS
LAMENHA

GOLD LIST AWARD ARTIST.
Featured in The Gold List
Special Edition #7.

ROADSTAR ACADEMY
Spray paint, acrylic, and marker on
canvas. 183 x 244 cm. 2022
Lucas Lamenha © All rights
reserved.

Represented by
Chic Evolution in Art
Gallery

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

WITH LUCAS
LAMENHA

By Ariel Su

“The following pieces are LUCAS
part of a new collection LAMENHA
developed from universal
pop culture references Director in advertising led Lucas with spray, acrylic, and marker
and bring new characters Lamenha to explore and discover - Stories about a ludic, original
and elements created from himself as an artist. and colorful universe of his own
memories and inspirations of Lucas uses graphic elements making. The uniqueness of his
my daily life and reflections. and characters that reflect the strokes and his outstanding
This new series, which I modern world’s chaotic surplus of style imprint generalities, such
usually call “space cubism,” information and work together to as numbers, music, dilemmas,
brings in certain characters convey a larger story. idiosyncrasies, love, and peace,
as a proposal for a He draws the viewer in that translate some of Lucas’
reinterpretation of cubism, repeatedly and provokes the essence, past and present, into
with science fiction and space public by using storytelling as paper, canvas, and objects. By
travel as the setting for a a key element in his thematic, doing so, Lucas is taking the
new and original universe transformative way of converting sub-genre of “doodle art” into
created over the last few memories into stories told previously uncharted territory.
years in my studio.
The idea of completely 115
filling the available space
is to reflect on the excess
information of the present
day in a light, harmonious and
fun way, with the intention
of leading people to an
abstract feeling of fullness
and relief.”

Left Page: MOGHBELI COLLEGE. 2022
Spray paint, acrylic, and marker on
canvas. 122 x 91 cm

G raduating in
advertising, Lucas
Lamenha has
been working as a
creative for over 15 years. He has
received significant national and
international awards throughout
his career, such as 5 trophies in
the Gramado World Award (2003
and 2005) and 2 Short Lists in
the London International Festival
(2003), one of the most revered
festivals in the world.
His experience as Creative

Art Market Magazine

It is a great pleasure to feature one of today’s
most unique and renovative artists; called by
some ‘The New Basquiat’, and others call him
‘The rising star of our generation; but surely,
he is making waves in the contemporary art
world.

Lucas Lamenha at the studio .

to the creative areas awakening a huge passion for
music.
LAMLUECNAHSAAINNTEEXRCVLIEUWSIVWEITH from the beginning? When I was 12, my father put me
Did you grow up in an in a school to learn keyboards,
artistic environment? where I graduated two years
later. I also started playing guitar
LUCAS LAMENHA: with the theoretical musical
I appreciate the words basis that the keyboard gave
me. A few bands later, I decided
By Ariel Su and the opportunity I would like to work with music,
and that’s when I entered the
ART MARKET MAGAZINE: to present my work in College of Advertising. My idea
Thank you, Lucas; It’s a pleasure such a reputable magazine as Art at the beginning was to graduate
featuring this interview. Your Market Magazine. and open a music production
work is extraordinary and has Despite not working with art, my company for commercials, but I
recently made waves in the Asian parents always encouraged me to fell in love with the whole artistic
art market field with continuous practice artistic activities, such as side of the profession, especially
growth in Europe and the U.S. drawing and music. the creative area, where I worked
Before we start exploring your As a child, my mother had throughout my career.
unique artistic style and the a habit of drawing random
effect of this success on your objects on paper while talking ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
career, let’s start with the on the phone. That naturally What was the reason for your
beginning. sparked my interest in drawing, professional change, and what
You shifted your life from the and I inherited the same habit are the main differences between
advertising world as a creative of talking on the phone while the two fields (Advertising and
director to the art field, where drawing words, numbers, and Art) from your artistic point of
you were awarded respectable objects. view?
international awards and gained As a child, my family also
this success. But what drew you traveled a lot by car, listening to
the Beatles, and that ended up

116 Art Market Magazine

LUCAS LAMENHA: the characters I had already Top Right : GREAT Top Left: FOREVER YOUNG.
In 2015 when I was at my invented and drew daily
career high - after years of on paper while I thought TOMORROW. 2022. Spray 2022. Spray paint, acrylic, and
experience as a Creative about creating the ads and
Director and already the campaigns during all the paint, acrylic, and marker on marker on canvas. 183 x 244 cm
owner of my own advertising years of advertising. In front
agency- I took a 21-day trip to of this drawing, I decided canvas. 152 x 122 cm
some European countries. that the first thing I would Right: THE UNFORGETTABLE CLUB.
Those days completely do when I returned to Brazil
changed my life. would be to buy the materials 2022. Spray paint, acrylic, and marker on
I remember precisely the and start to transfer my
day and moment when I universe to a canvas. That’s canvas. 152 x 122 cm
decided to start painting. exactly what I did.
It was a Sunday morning in In the first two months
London; I had spent a few after the trip, I worked a
hours in the Shoreditch lot in an experimental way
district contemplating a until I arrived at my first
series of artistic interventions original work, a small canvas
on the walls until I saw a measuring 20 x 30 cm, which
smaller drawing, extremely I named” Plato Fox 1 “,
simple, cheerful, colorful, inspired by the book by José
totally different from all the Saramago that I was reading
other giant and far-fetched where there was a quote by
paintings. the philosopher on the back
That I had admired until then. cover.
That drawing reminded me of

117

Once I found my style, I started exhibition at Burning Man. in the habit of filling in a sheet of
producing a small piece daily and Today I believe that the main paper while trying to come up with
posting it on a new Instagram difference between the two good ideas. So when I started to
account I created exclusively for professions is the creative freedom think about my style for the canvas,
the project. After a few weeks, the that art provides and that every this background came naturally,
works were quickly selling out, publicist or professional/artist and I ended up following the inks
and six months later, I received an hopes to have one day. I was already unconsciously doing
invitation from an English curator with the pen every day. With time
for a solo exhibition in London. ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Your and daily dedication to the studio,
With the sudden success of artistic style is exceptional and my drawings gradually evolved,
the work, the quick financial unusual. It gives a connotation to a I developed and improved my
return, and the certainty that I childhood sketchbook of drawings. techniques, and new characters
had managed to create my own Has this always been your style, or were created, always maintaining
identity, I started to plan the has it evolved over the years? originality and this purposefully
transition from one profession childish, cheerful, and primitive
to the other, which definitely LUCAS LAMENHA: Throughout my tone that I believe is part of my
happened in 2018, after my first advertising career, I’ve always been message as an artist.

118 Art Market Magazine

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: You worked as
a creative director for fifteen years before making
this shift in your life. Looking back, do you regret
not doing this step years ago? What was the reaction
of those around you when you decided to leave the
advertising world?

LUCAS LAMENHA: No, I don’t. I believe that
everything I learned and experienced in advertising
was significant for my training as an artist. To
become a Creative Director, I had to learn a lot about
art, and today I can see this history in my work, such
as the layout of spaces, the balance of colors, and
the choice of typologies. In addition to the need to
create differentials that mark me as an innovative
artist, such as using the sides of the canvas as part
of the work and the hand-drawn packaging, It is also
possible to observe a series of references from the
world of advertising and music in the content of the
works.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Your artistic style is
reminiscent of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s early works,
with its honesty and innocent elements. What is the
base of your artistic style? Where do the inspiration
and the ideas come from? What influenced your art?

LUCAS LAMENHA: In advertising, I got used to
creating under pressure and working hard on several
different ideas and projects a day, in addition to
the obligation of always having to be original and
innovative in communication and aesthetics. I
believe this greatly influences my creative process
as an artist.
My work is like a diary of memories and references
I have conquered throughout my life. Some parts
of the work are planned, but most of it is intuitive.
For example, I start a line in many drawings without
knowing exactly how it will end. And I’m making
decisions about where to go along the way. This
makes each character unique and always new.

Left Page: LUNAR COLLEGE. Top Right: LAKE RESERVOIR. 2022
2022. Spray paint, acrylic, Spray paint, acrylic, and marker on
and marker on canvas. 152 x canvas.
122 cm 122 x 91 cm

Left Page Top: Right: OLLIE-BUENDIA. 2022
An example of the unique hand-painted Spray paint, acrylic, and marker
sides of the canvas- as part of the on canvas. 122 x 91 cm
artwork.

This process comes a lot from the to expose a little joy and color to
influence of Picasso and the Cubist an increasingly confused, sad, and
movement, which are my primary pessimistic world. If art reflects
references as an artist. I like to see its time, I think my work can be
art as a possibility to deconstruct considered a lifeboat in this sea
reality and find beauty in the of negativity that has kept people
different. from remembering the good things
that are out there waiting for us.
ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Is it
possible to say that your artistic ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Many of
style reflects your point of view your latest paintings are large-
on reality? Maybe it’s a way of scale artworks. Isn’t it a long
preserving childhood? process, filling the canvas with
small elements and hundreds of
LUCAS LAMENHA: Yes. I think the details? How long does it take to
playful part of childhood is the complete a large-scale painting?
time when we feel safe, optimistic,
and calm about life. LUCAS LAMENHA:
I think that feeling is increasingly Yes. The process is a little longer
rare in today’s world. My trait is and more challenging as it requires
relatively primitive and brings creating new characters and
some of that childhood innocence elements, but the result always
and lightness. My style comes pays off in the end. This larger
with a clear proposal to be format also allows me to insert
accessible to everyone and aims some storytelling into the work,

Art Market Magazine

like a spaceship race happening
without anyone noticing. I think
my style allows me to explore any
format and surface, which ends up
being another differential in my
work.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
Let’s talk about the workflow.
Do you have a collection of
elements (Sort of a library of ready-
designed elements) before you start
the painting, or do you let the ideas
flow fluently?

LUCAS LAMENHA: When I start
a new artwork, I only plan the
background and the color palette.
Content flows during the creative
production process. As these six
years of my career were highly
intense, I ended up creating a
natural selection of an extensive
visual vocabulary of original
elements that allowed me to
explore different compositions
without losing repetition, which I
think is fundamental to mark these
characters with my signature and
put my name in the history of art.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: In many space is a subject that is not Top: “GREAT PLACE TO WORK”
of your paintings, we find elements explored with originality in the SPRAY PAINT, ACRYLIC, AND MARKER ON
related to space and aliens, car art world. So in recent years, CANVAS. 80 X 100 CM. 2021
racing, balloons, and underwater I have been developing more and Lucas Lamenha © All rights reserved.
creatures. Are these daydreaming more this idea of deconstructing Left Page:
subjects of the child in you? the universe, creating a kind Top Left: OGBONNA TROTT. 2022
of cubist meta-verse of space, Spray paint, acrylic, and marker on
LUCAS LAMENHA: As a child, I which I usually call “Space canvas. 152 x 122 cm
watched the classic ‘Star Trek’ Cubism” or “Spaceonism,” Top Right: THE UNFORGETTABLE CLUB.
series with my father daily, which where the characters give us 2022. Spray paint, acrylic, and marker on
created an affective memory of the message that, despite being canvas. 152 x 122 cm
science fiction, which became extremely different, they can live
an important reference in my together in perfect harmony. 121
drawings. I’ve always liked and had
a passion for the retro aesthetic
of science fiction, and I think that

Art Market Magazine

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: This is the main reason my work reaches
What materials do you work with? audiences of all ages, genders, and social
LUCAS LAMENHA: Spray, acrylic, and classes.
markers.
ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
ART MARKET MAGAZINE: How did the global pandemic and the
Tell us about your latest exhibitions and the lockdowns affect your work? Did you find
success you have gained in Asian countries this period artistically challenging?
lately.
LUCAS LAMENHA:
LUCAS LAMENHA: Last year I participated in I ended 2019 with significant exhibitions,
exhibitions in Paris, Genoa, Milan, Madrid, like Burning Man, for the second year, Paris
and Innsbruck, Austria. The visibility and Gold Coast, Australia. Then, at the
of these exhibitions led me to a recent beginning of 2020,
invitation to be part of a team of great I was working on another exhibition that
artists represented on the Asian continent would take place in Paris, and there was an
by Ting Ting Art Space, a gallery located in important fair in Brussels, Belgium, right
Taipei, Taiwan. after that. Unfortunately, everything was
With a five-year contract signed last month, postponed indefinitely when the pandemic
I became the only artist from outside started, and, like everyone else, I was
Europe to be represented by the gallery, also anxious about the future. But I never
which today works in cooperation with Chic stopped working. Instead, I focused even
Evolution in Art, which is the gallery that more on my style’s evolution and created
manages my career worldwide. Starting in a series of new collections quickly sold
September, we will begin an intense circuit over the internet. During this period, I also
of renowned art fairs in several countries on started working on the prototype of my first
the continent. sculpture, developed in partnership with
a company in São Paulo and a factory in
ART MARKET MAGAZINE: China.
What reactions do the visitors of the
exhibition have? What feelings would you ART MARKET MAGAZINE: What does
like to convey to the viewer? the future bring? Where can we enjoy
viewing your work? Are there any planned
LUCAS LAMENHA: Feedback from visitors exhibitions in the months to come?
and curators has always been super positive
about my work since my first exhibition in LUCAS LAMENHA: Today my work can be
2017 in London. found exclusively physically in the United
In my first solo exhibition at Burning Man States at Chic Evolution in Art, in Taiwan at
in 2018, I also had the opportunity to test Ting Ting Art Space, in Paris at OA Fine Art,
my style in a space that received hundreds and in Switzerland at PicTrix Gallery.
of people from all over the world, and the
feedback was incredible, which gave me LUCAS LAMENHA IS REPRESENTED BY
even more confidence for the future. CHIC EVOLUTION IN ART GALLERY
I am an extremely calm and positive person
toward the world. And my intention, in all Right Page: THE UNFORGETTABLE
the pieces, is to convey a little of that calm CLUB. 2022. Spray paint, acrylic, and
and that optimism to people. marker on canvas. 152 x 122 cm

Art Market Magazine

I am an extremely calm and positive person toward the world.
And my intention, in all the pieces, is to convey a little of that
calm and that optimism to people.” - Lucas Lamenha

Gallery: chicevolutioninart.com | Instagram: @lucaslamenha

Jan (Detail)
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

Messagesof Hope,
Love & Trust

An Exclusive Interview

WithMarcel
van Luit

By Ariel SU

Always keep

Dreaming;

No dream is too

big toAchieve!

- MarcelvanLuit

Marcel with Aella at the studio
Marcel van Luit © All rights reserved.

Marcel van Luit

Dutch photographer and artist Marcel van Luit creates a magnificent magical world.
In his art, the world of imagination comes to life through playing with tones, darkness, and light.
Wild animals, nature, and magical scenes became his artistic signature.
It is a great pleasure to present an exclusive interview with such a fascinating artist!

Marcel van Luit, best known for visualizing Jan
dreamy scenarios, is a contemporary artist Marcel van Luit ©
from the Netherlands. Marcel plays with tones, All rights reserved.
darkness, and light to create exciting new
worlds. His works have been shown at leading
art galleries from Paris to Los Angeles, Mexico
City, Shanghai, and Art Basel Miami, to name
a few.
Marcel creates commissioned art pieces for
clients from all over the globe, including
celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Lionel
Richie - and uses his work to convey life lessons
to his sons. His messages are primarily about
hope, trust, and love. Marcel would like to show
that when you imagine, anything is possible.
In his creative process, he looks through the
eyes of a child. With wonder and an unlimited
amount of fantasy, Marcel creates worlds he
would like to escape to himself when life gets
dark sometimes. In doing so, he aims to touch
people with the emotions and comfort that his
work brings.

Art Market Magazine

Rabina
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

An Exclusive Interview Aiden
Marcel van Luit ©
WithMarcel All rights reserved.
van Luit

By Ariel SU

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: artist, drawn to the art field outside in nature. I think
Marcel, it's a pleasure several years ago. Where that's where my love for
to have this interview. did the passion for art come nature and animals started.
We discovered your art from? Did you grow up in an However, I did love to draw
through your successful artistic environment? when I was a kid. I was
Instagram profile and were drawing from images for
overwhelmed by the power MARCEL VAN LUIT: Thank hours and hours. It was my
of fantasy in your art. Your you, it's my pleasure! No, I way to relax, and when I look
art is fascinating from both didn't grow up in an artistic back, it was my first form of
the philosophical aspect environment. To be honest, creative expression. But at
and the visually beautiful I wasn't surrounded by art the time, I had no clue about
high technique. You are an at all when I was young and art and had never set foot in
internationally acclaimed only cared about playing a museum or art gallery.

Art Market Magazine 129

ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
What is the philosophical idea
behind your art? Is it also being
made to raise awareness of the
beauty of nature and wildlife?

MARCEL VAN LUIT: Absolutely.
My art is a tribute to wildlife and
nature. I am so fascinated by animals
and in awe of their beauty. I want
to show our surroundings and
animals as treasures we need to take
good care of. It's my way of raising
awareness of nature and animals by
showing their beauty.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Which
Tell us about the circumstances artists would you say have
that led you to start creating your influenced your artistic style?
absolutely magnificent art.
MARCEL VAN LUIT: I would say,
MARCEL VAN LUIT: It's been a crazy Salvador Dali. I'm so inspired by his
but beautiful journey to where I am work. Salvador Dali captured his
today. A few months after my oldest imagination in every artwork. My art
son (Otis, now nine years old) was born, is an expression of my imagination
I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré and my dreams as well. I love that his
syndrome (Guillain-Barre syndrome work has no boundaries because it's
is a rare disorder in which your body's Surrealism. So many people call my
immune system attacks your nerves). work Modern Surrealism, and I think
After experiencing complete paralysis it is precisely what it is.
and being in the hospital for months,
I was transferred to a rehabilitation
facility where I took up photography
and editing as a form of physiotherapy
and mental escapism. As I couldn't
walk and go out on adventures with
my son at the time, I started to create
digital adventures for us. My work has
evolved a lot since then, but it definitely
was the beginning of finding my true
passion. Little did I know about what
was coming the years after, haha.

130 Art Market Magazine

Modern Heritage
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

Reggy
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

Frida
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Let's talk about the a particular animal, a specific tree, or even a
technique behind your art. Where does the piece of porcelain I came across. Inspiration is
idea for the artwork come from? Which apps everywhere. Most of the time, it's just a feeling
do you use? Do you prepare sketches before or emotion I want to work towards. When I'm
starting the entire process? Can you describe creating, I feel like I'm in a sort of trance, I put
the workflow from the point of the idea to the on my music, and my head keeps overflowing
final outcome? with ideas. I also do private commissions where
more boundaries are set by clients who like to
MARCEL VAN LUIT: I never work with sketches; see specific elements, models, or symbolism,
I just start. In my opinion, my best works began and that feels like a small plan for me to start
with no plan at all and just a single subject as with.

Art Market Magazine 133

transform my dreams into pieces of art. My biggest
inspiration is my own imagination and my children.
I love to mix illusion with reality to create entirely new
worlds. Worlds where I love my two boys to be in. Worlds
where I want to escape to myself when life gets too busy. When you use your
imagination, anything is possible."

- Marcel Van Luit

Vigor
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

MVL & Lionel Richie
Marcel van Luit ©

All rights reserved.

But also with commissions, I have never done a sketch Lionel Richie (Detail)
before, and I need my creative freedom to get my Marcel van Luit ©
inspiration flowing, and I let it just come to me. I work All rights reserved.
with a lot of different software programs, and I do a lot of
digital drawing. Liborio
Marcel van Luit ©
ART MARKET MAGAZINE: For how long do you work on All rights reserved.
each artwork?
135
MARCEL VAN LUIT: It really depends, some of my art
pieces I finish in two days, but I also have pieces I work
on for weeks. I work on some of the works of art non-stop
when I'm in a perfect flow. But there are also pieces I
work on, put aside for a while, and then continue later.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: You usually create large-scale
limited print editions. Do you feel it's necessary to
strengthen the artwork by its large-scale printing, or is
it for bringing more awareness to details?

MARCEL VAN LUIT: I love how large-scale art pieces
significantly impact the viewer. And yes, it's also for
bringing more attention to all details.
I love creating works of art that you can look at every

Art Market Magazine

Marcel on Oxfort Street London
Marcel van Luit © All rights reserved.

day and find more and more work? What kind of reaction do screens. We saw couples holding
details and elements you didn't you try to evolve in the viewer's each other looking at the art
notice before. So in many of my eye? and children whose eyes lit up
pieces, I leave these hidden gems when they saw the animals in my
for the viewers to discover. So, for MARCEL VAN LUIT: I've had work. It was a great experience to
example, I use a lot of symbolism excellent solo exhibitions in many watch this anonymously from a
in my work that sometimes is not countries. Last year was great for distance. In my book, I wrote that
even noticed when you take a quick me in Mexico, where we did a lot of there is always beauty in life and
look at my work. But when you look shows. Also, the US is an important that beauty can be easily found
at it longer, with more profound market for me, and I have done in connections between people,
attention, you will find them, and some great shows there as well in nature, and animals. I want to show
the story unfolds to you. the last couple of months. When my that through my work because I
work was on display in the center think it's comforting to know that,
ART MARKET MAGAZINE: of London, in Oxford Street, I went even when everything falls apart,
Tell us about the latest there with my wife simply to sit on there will always be love, hope, and
exhibitions. You had several solo a bench in the street and enjoyed trust as long as you can dream and
exhibitions in Mexico, Brazil, watching the reactions of people imagine. That's really what it is for
and the latest show in London passing by. me. I'm a happy man if my work
took place in Oxford street in So many people rushed through can do that to just one person.
collaboration with W1curates. the street and suddenly stopped
What was the reaction to your to take a breath in front of the

136 Art Market Magazine

Aymon
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: is a cool way to market these types to reinvent myself repeatedly.
On your Instagram, we can see of animations. But, I also get a lot For this year, I have exhibitions
many animation interpretations of questions from my clients who planned in Mexico, London, and
of your work. Do you create these want to display my animations on the USA; please keep an eye on my
great video animations by yourself? their walls, just like the physical art Instagram account for exact dates
Do you also sell NFT? pieces. So I am working on a very and more info on this.
cool new product for this, which will
MARCEL VAN LUIT: I started to be hopefully released later this year. ART MARKET MAGAZINE: What
create an animated version of my would be your advice to the young
work a while ago, and I have my ART MARKET MAGAZINE: What are digital artist trying to make his way
team of experts to help me with the future projects? Are there any in the art market world?
this. I started to just create these for scheduled exhibitions or art fairs
myself because when I work on an awaiting us? MARCEL VAN LUIT: Stay close to
art piece, I always see it come to life yourself! Find your own signature
in my head, and I hear music with MARCEL VAN LUIT: I am working style and stick to it, so people start
it. So, I wanted to show that but on some great private commissions recognizing your work. Don't get
needed movement and music with and many amazing projects. I enjoy distracted by what other people do,
it to do so. So, these animations are and appreciate the opportunities be unique and refreshing, and don't
the complete experience of my art. I have to work with musicians and try to do the same as others. And
It's a direct look into my mind, to my other artists to create all kinds of always keep dreaming; no dream is
own interpretation of my artwork. creative concepts and projects. I do too big to achieve!
I sell some of them as NFTs, which art direction and try to push myself

138 Art Market Magazine

Always keep

Dreaming;

No dream is too

big toAchieve!

- Marcel van Luit

Vetpaw Marcel van Luit
Marcel van Luit ©
All rights reserved. Website: marcelvanluit.com
Instagram: @marcel_van_luit
Facebook: @marcel.vanluit

An Exclusive Interview
With

By Ariel SU

It is an honor and a true excitement to feature an
interview with Billelis, one of the most fascinating digital
artists operating in the field today, making waves in the
NFT world and collaborating with the most significate large-
scale brands worldwide. His art is romantic, full of organic
forms and ancient symbols, and expresses a magical world
full of enlightenment, love, beauty, and appreciation of life.

Medusa. (Detail)
Billelis © All rights reserved.

Corruption Of Mary
Billelis © All rights reserved.

An Exclusive Interview Billelis © All rights reserved.
With

Billelis is a 3D his work has often been to experiment with new
Illustrator and described as hyperreal. styles and mediums.
Animation
Director based Equipped with an You'll find Billelis working
in the UK. Billelis is an overactive imagination, on his latest client briefs or
artistic alias originating a love of the macabre, personal passion projects
from his younger years of and a perpetual artistic on a usual day. But you'll
graffitiing and wall tagging hunger, Billelis aims to often find him dabbling
as a teen. be a distinct source of with new gadgets,
creativity and inspiration exploring new lands (both
He now spends countless in the illustration in reality and via Xbox),
hours experimenting, community. He endeavors or grabbing a pint with
learning, and expanding to continue pushing the pals at his local pub. He
his artistic skill set to artistic boundaries of enjoys collaborating with
create a personal style 3D and art throughout a wide range of clients and
that can be best described the rest of his career and has worked with brands
as a dark yet elegant enjoys collaborating such as Nike, Coca-Cola,
and romantic fusion. with like-minded artists Peugeot, Red Bull, and
He has a keen eye for who share his passion several global music
intricate detail and bold, for authenticity, dark clients, to name but a few.
contrasting colors, and humor, and a willingness

Art Market Magazine

Medusa.
Billelis © All rights reserved.

Billelis © All rights reserved.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: BILLELIS: Hello, and thank you
Thank you, Billelis, for this for this privilege. All the references
interview. We are incredibly excited you mentioned come from growing
to speak with you about your up in Greece or traveling. I was
magnificent art! surrounded by classical sculpture
While viewing your art, we get the and religious iconography growing
sensation and association of ancient up, so these elements have infused
Greek heritage, partly medieval art, my perception. I love creating a
and somewhat Italian Renaissance sense of balance and questioning
influence. The use of gold and life, death, worship, and religious
attention to detail combined with narratives. Darkness can be
anatomy and organic forms create a perceived as life and divinity simply
fantastic fantasy, mysterious world. by changing the visual palette,
Where did the idea and influence which is my overall mission in my
come from? art.

Art Market Magazine

Balance ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
Billelis © All rights reserved. Tell us about your early
stage in art. Where did the
passion come from? When
and what led you to start
creating? Do you also have
an academic background
in art or in 3D animation?

BILLELIS: From a very
young age, I can remember
sketching random shit,
then got into graffiti and
eventually ended up
studying programming and
the web, but I was useless
at it. I could never fit in that
module and always had
a hunger for new creative
technologies. At the time,
digital art was something
we did online in forums,
before social media and all
that.
A bunch of outcasts with
a hunger for creativity. It
all started with photoshop
and Photobashing assets
together (Photobashing is
a technique where artists
merge & blend photographs
or 3D assets together while
painting and compositing
them into one finished
piece.) until I found out
about 3D; useless again
at the time, but it was
fascinating. The ability to
create elements in 3D space
from my imagination was
groundbreaking for me.
So that was the seed, and I
kept playing, learning, and
evolving over the years.

Balance (Detail)
Billelis © All rights reserved.

YOU SUPPORTED ME. NFT
Billelis © All rights reserved.

Billelis in a working process.
Billelis © All rights reserved.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Your art is visually dark,
romantic, and decorative.
On the one hand, the figures and the dark atmosphere
give a "heavy metal" connotation, which could be
translated into a negative approach, but in fact,
the artworks' titles and their meaning show a very
enlightening, inspiring, loving, and sensitive creation.
What is the philosophy behind your art?

BILLELIS: Balance, disconnection from judgment, and
enlightenment. My subjects are my way of dealing with
fears of darkness, loss, death, and perception of what is
dark vs. divine.

Art Market Magazine

Religion has the ability to brainwash people, but the YOU CHALLENGED ME. NFT
ability to question what we should be believing is Billelis © All rights reserved.
key, in my opinion. Regarding death and darkness, It
is my own way of dealing with the darkest aspects of ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Your art is full of details;
life and how we see beauty in these times. Death is we can see an excellent emphasis on every detail.
not the end. It is a reminder to appreciate the gifts we Is it a combination of already made elements and
have all been given and a message to remember all figures which you prepared from a head for using
those who have passed. Not because of the end, but them in different artworks?
because of the life and learnings they have given us.
BILLELIS: I use a recycled and rehashed approach to
ART MARKET MAGAZINE: Your art is made in 3D much of my work. Many are sculpted from scratch,
programs. Is it based on hand sketches before and some are evolved over years of doing this.
working on it on the computer? Can you share with I have all my assets and artworks in libraries, so I
us the complete workflow, from the stage of the can always reuse and adapt elements from previous
inspiration and idea to the final outcome? pieces to create something new. It has become my
artist's palette, you might say. It is an exponential
BILLELIS: I don't really sketch. I dive straight into it. skill-stacking relationship; the better my art gets,
I mainly work in Zbrush for my sculpting work and the more possibilities arise to create more detailed
cinema 4D for scene setup, adding decor and detailed pieces.
elements, and rendering everything in Octane.
Once all is rendered, I will use minimal color grading Art Market Magazine
in Photoshop or AfterEffects for moving footage, but
I like my raw 3D renders to be almost 99% there, so
there is no need for a lot of postwork.

148

Redemption
Billelis © All rights reserved.

Transcendence ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
Billelis © All rights reserved. Who are the artists that
mainly influenced your
artistic style?

BILLELIS: I'm influenced by
various artistic styles, from
religious painters to classical
sculptors to unique digital
artists and painters. Many of
my inspirations come from
the person as well. Art aside,
it is inspiring to see others
succeed.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
How demanding is your
art? For how long are you
working on each artwork?
Does your need for
perfection sometimes lead
you to frustration?

BILLELIS: Some artwork can
take a few hours, and some
take weeks, haha.
The need for perfection is
truly exhausting, I will be
honest. Sometimes it leads
to strong hate for everything
I create, and I must take a
break. But when I get in the
zone and ride that wave, I
feel unstoppable, and I guess
that is my artist's high.

ART MARKET MAGAZINE:
You are extremely active
in the NFT field. Your art
is sold in several NFT
galleries, including Crypto
Art and Nifty Gateway.
When did you start selling
NFT artwork, and what

150 Art Market Magazine