Luis Olaso

Tell us a little about yourself, where did your passion for art begin and how did it become your work?

My passion for painting is initially based on an aspect that has always been very present in my way of being: A great interest in the visual and aesthetic, nature, the shapes that surround us … everything visually perceptible. Later, I discovered that I don´t have limit myself to just observing, and working on the creation of new images was, as well as very pleasant, an ideal cathartic process for personal growth.

I am curious if you have a daily working routine? Do you have any morning rituals or habits that contribute towards a productive day within the studio?

The truth is that I do not have any particular routine, I am quite anarchic both in the schedules, and in the way of working.

What I do know is that I do not like to paint in the morning, I do not find it attractive.

Another thing that is not necessarily a routine, but what I usually do, is to be sitting for hours watching the works that I have in process. There are days that all the time that I am in the studio is observing and thinking about the works.

How would describe your work to someone?

More than doing a description of my current work, both formally and conceptually, I think it is best to talk about my way of working.

My work is the result of how I am, how I work. I always do it unconsciously, we could say that it is a painting that is born from the irrational part of the brain.

I currently represent plants, at other times he was a human figure … but I do not consider it especially relevant.

By not working with any referent or with any concrete idea that wants to transmit, I consider that my work speaks of me, in fact, I consider all my work a kind of dynamic self-portrait.

What projects/works are currently in progress in your studio?

I am currently working on a new series that will be exhibited next spring at the Makasiini Contemporary gallery in Turku (Finland).

It is a very important gallery, with a beautiful exhibition space, and requires all my dedication these next months..

Tell us about your style. Are you considering the concept of the painting before its creation or is it improvisation?

As I mentioned before, I work from improvisation, without any previous sketch.

My work methodology consists of two parts, the first is action. I work impulsively, creating accidents, shapes, spots, and color plans, which I do not know what they will do in the future.

The second part is the analytical one, I observe for hours the work in progress, trying to analyze what works and what does not.

What are the plans for the remainder of this year?

In principle to continue preparing a good exhibition in Makasiini Contemporary, the truth is that I do not usually make plans for several months.

What do you feel are the pros and cons of Instagram, and do you consider Instagram important for artists working today?

Initially I was very suspicious of the possibilities that instagram could offer me, but the reality has been totally different.

It is an extremely useful tool, both to make you see your work, and to meet people with whom to start new projects.

Can you highlight some of your influences and discuss how your influences have made an impact on you and your practice?

We all have influences from many artists, and it is not something that needs to be hidden.

In my case, I have always been attracted to all movements close to expressionism, especially abstract expressionism. From De Kooning, Nathan Oliveira, Richard Diebenkorn, to current artists like Anselm Kieffer.

To the collector that is interested, where do we tell him to go right now to buy your work?

Actually I work with two galleries, one in San Sebastian, Spain ( Kur Gallery ), and other in Turku, Finland ( Makasiini Contemporary)

Your thoughts that you would like to share with our readers.

It has been a pleasure to answer these questions, although I believe that the works are made to be observed without the literature that usually surrounds them, I do think that explain the creative process a bit, and the personal motivations behind each artist can complement the information that is perceived.