5 Questions for a Painter by Angela Cappetta

Interview with Fine Art Painter Andres Cimas by NYC Lifestyle Photographer Angela Cappetta

5 Questions for a Painter by Angela Cappetta:

What is the story your fine art subject matter tells?

Freedom. Freedom and happiness.5 Questions for a Painter. First and foremost and most importantly, my art transmits freedom. I believe that all of my works tell a story in which it is always the spectator that takes part and ends up participating in the project. It is easy to dive into the paintings, go inside of them and complete them. Imagining what is happening, discovering what is hidden at first glance. After a few moments observing, generally the spectator feels like he is introduced to the work in a way in which it is as though the work is just outside a window and he can see a scene that at first sight he does not understand, but little by little it becomes more complete and then, at last, he starts giving meaning to the painting. The second, but no less important thing, is happiness. In this magnificent journey that I propose, joy is a travel companion. Quite sad ordinary life can be at times to observe art that does not transmit joy in its essence. In fact, I firmly believe that what we observe transmits energy to our daily lives. This is why I choose to bring joy and happiness to the world with my work. 

It is very mystical How did you arrive at this subject matter?

 It is a theme that I have always been passionate about. Even when I was still a young boy, finding an occult meaning that gives meaning to a world that to me, cannot only be materialistic.Reconnecting with that inner child that all of us have inside of us. Returning to being students in life, with the desire and longing to observe and feel what life is all about. To unravel its mysteries and apply order to chaos. This for me is the major and most pure mysticism to experiment with.This is why I did not arrive to mysticism as a theme per se. It has always been within me. It is the capacity to see the world with the eyes of a child and admire it with this same look, being aware of its profound complexity and simplicity at the same time. Like a passionate game that we live in a serious way. Although there have been a lot of times in which I drifted away from this vision for a more “conventional” one, however the universe has always taken me back to what I consider to be the path of my life. A life that forms and nurtures itself. People with all kinds of “specialties” have crossed my path in life helping me to nourish it.It is a theme that does not come to find us, rather it has always been there and we just try to not forget what we know and discover what we lost. If for a moment you let yourself be fascinated by a sunset, or the beauty of a flower, you will remember this feeling instantly.  

It is a theme that does not come to find us, rather it has always been there and we just try to not forget what we know and discover what we lost. If for a moment you let yourself be fascinated by a sunset, or the beauty of a flower, you will remember this feeling instantly.

5 Questions for a Painter by Angela Cappetta:

Tell us about your fine art training.

My education, in all aspects of my life, is a mixture of what I learned in different schools and what I taught myself over time. What I was taught in schools gave me a solid base to build upon. And what I learned teaching and experimenting myself gave me the liberty to develop my own style. When I was little I had classes in a private drawing school outside my normal classes. Can you imagine what an incredible experience for a child to be in artistic lessons surrounded by adults. Once I finished school I started the Escuela de Pintores y Decoradores de Barcelona. I discovered a new world of possibilities. This was a school in which they mixed a lot of different projects. You could be making an immensely large mural one day and installations made of classic marble the next with antique techniques as well as projects with industrial paint. These experiences and training planted ideas in me that opened up a large spectrum of techniques to experiment with. What incredible possibilities offers mixing techniques and ancient materials combined with contemporary ones! The fruits of this period are my first experiences combining materials (and techniques) which I still use to this day in my artistic projects and the intense drive to discover more possibilities. Parallel to this are the studies that I did on my own, feeling great attraction to life and the works of classic ancient maestros as well as more contemporary ones such as Picasso.  It is the fusion of such divers styles and times filtered by my vision, that created the originality and recognizability of my work.

Why Amsterdam?

The decision to change countries and abandon my native Barcelona opened a whole new chapter in my life. This chapter starts with my relationship with Eva, my Dutch partner, and muse during most of my time in the Netherlands. In the beginning of our relationship, we had to decide where to live together, as she lived in Amsterdam and I lived in Barcelona. We met while she was living in Barcelona. Obviously, my desire to discover new horizons tipped the scale over in the direction of Amsterdam. And soon I saw myself starting a new life in the city of the many canals. Now, while I have only a few weeks left and am about to say my goodbyes to this city and country, I fully realize what a good choice this has been. Amsterdam, and life here, has made me grow artistically as well as personally. Without any doubt, Amsterdam for me represents a labyrinth. This labyrinth that you need to be inside of to end up getting to know yourself, follow your own steps, and then leave it. To leave as the same person but having changed and having become more yourself. Amsterdam, now that I go back to Spain, represents for me a time in my life rather than a city. I believe I have always known this, however it is now that I am leaving its labyrinth that I fully comprehend it.

5 Questions for a Painter by Angela Cappetta:

Lastly, would you ever trade? I am in love with your work.

 Thank you from the bottom of my heart Angela, for appreciating my art. It is such a pleasure for me that you are in love with my work!! Of course I would trade it.  The road to new beginnings 100x80cm, 2020This painting was the last one I made in my old atelier in Amsterdam. It represents to me uncertainty in life, but of an optimistic kind. New steps and paths to take with excitement. A better world is coming, 115x115cm 2020This work I started at the beginning of the COVID crisis. I did not have an atelier anymore, had left my Amsterdam residence, and had problems returning to Spain. I found a temporary residence in a yoga school in the South of the Netherlands. It was in its garden using a blanket that I hang between 2 trees, in the wind and rain in the middle of the lockdown that I made this work.  Atelier:De Spaanse SchilderMobile number: +31 628310683email: despaanseschilder@gmail.comContact Andres:FB Andres Cimas PaintingsInsta @andrescimasYouTube Web: andrescimas.com