StateoftheART met up with contemporary South African artist Chris Denovan to preview his works-in-progress, learn what inspires him, and see his work insitu.
Favourite material to work with?
It really depends on what I'm doing. Charcoal and pastel for sketches. Oil for thick and textural stuff and glass stain on perspex for depth and luminosity.
What themes do you pursue?
My passion will always be Portraits but currently I'm pursuing a study on full body Figures and Drapery.
How many years an artist?
Seven years as a full time artist.
Which living or dead artist would you most like to meet?
Lucian Freud definitely. Living artist; Jules de Balincourt. Loving his stuff at the moment.
Art school or self-taught?
I studied at Ruth Prowse School of Art in Woodstock.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
Music is essential. I start the day with light Piano (Gonzales) and steadily get heavier as the day goes by.
Favourite brush?
Can I say my palette knife. Its the most useful tool I have.
Where can we find you out side of the studio?
On a bicycle, behind the wheel of my Kombi, in the living room.
If you couldn't be an artist, what would you do?
I love a well designed home and garden so I think I'd be an architect.
Interests other than art?
Gardening, Theatre, Hiking, Ballet, Chess.
What do you collect?
Nagel stacking candlesticks, Le Creuset, Butterflies and Moths.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
'If you like the space and the people then GO FOR IT!'
