#sparkchamber 100223 — Abigail LaChapelle
In Fussfactory’s close-to-seven years of highlighting the thoughts and processes of the wide spectrum of creative types, one sure thing #sparkchamber has learned conclusively is that life unfolds on uniquely non-linear paths. In that very spirit, we are so thrilled to welcome digital and fine artist, Abigail LaChapelle. In her own words:
“Born in Barrie, Ontario with ties to Georgian Bay, I’m a Métis digital and fine artist specializing in character design and storytelling. I graduated from OCAD University in 2020 with a BFA in Painting and Drawing: Expanded Animation and Digital Painting, in addition to a half-year exchange at Otis College of Art and Design. Before I pursued all that fun art stuff, in reality I grew up as many young Canadian kids do: playing hockey in the winter, baseball in the off-season, and picking up completely unrelated hobbies throughout most of my childhood. For a long time, I didn’t realize I wanted to go into art at all. I didn’t really pick up a paint brush with any true purpose until I was 17, though I did create things here and there. But when it came time to decide what the next steps were in life, I made the difficult [in hindsight — best] choice to pursue a career in something that would make me happy.
“Since then, I’ve worked for almost eight years in the world of non-profit art galleries in a number of roles: curatorial assistant, facility coordinator, preparator, programme coordinator, community engagement officer, videographer, etc., and have loved every moment. Oftentimes, this sort of work involves engaging with local communities and bringing their artistic visions to life! It’s a process I thoroughly have loved and will continue to love all my life.
“I believe — as most things in life are — art is a collaborative effort. Learning through engaging with other people ensures that life always is full of surprises, and as a storyteller myself, there is a great honour in being able to help others tell theirs. It’s surprising how much you can learn from a story, whether visual, written, or spoken. Art ultimately consumes my every day. If I am not at work [working with artists and art appreciators alike], I pursue my own freelance work as a digital artist. Much of my work involves character design for clients. Just as people are diverse, so too are the heroes and villains of fictional worlds. I have partaken in numerous independent projects such as published zines, indie games, films, or private commissions where I have explored characters in many different worlds and lenses. I am inspired by the world and people around me: everything from a passing stranger to an actor on the big screen can be a fleeting inspiration for someone entirely new on my digital canvas. Further inspiration can be drawn from my own personal experiences, such as what it means to reconnect with my Métis heritage, complex identities, and the physical spaces that I either occupy or feel disconnected from. As an ever-shifting person, I will be taking a leap and continuing my artistic journey in Los Angeles during 2024.”
1.] Where do ideas come from?
Ideas come from experience. I’m not saying that you have to go out and explore every inch of this world in order to conjure up ideas for your next art project, but it does help to be empathetic to experiences outside of your own and to keep your mind open. Talking to others, going outside, doing that thing you’ve always wanted to do but always flaked out on, trying on something new, going somewhere you have never been before... those are the experiences that will help you form strong ideas. It is hard to make art about people or the world if you haven’t observed what the world already has to offer. Harder still to communicate ideas back to the world if you do not speak with it already. The ideas will come when you want to make a conversation.
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
I feel like every day I am looking back on a thousand former versions of me; that is to say, the person I am today is not who I was yesterday, and every hour or minute I have can be used in a way to contribute to personal growth. I do want to be a better artist. I want to learn how to paint light better, or how to speak another language. I want to try new things. Why not tell a new story? Why not create something nobody has ever seen before? I’ve really grown to appreciate this life and what it has to offer. Creating helps me show this appreciation. It also lets me connect with others who feel the same way, which is a positive experience often unlike any other.
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
Depends on the “work!” In one of my full-time jobs, I’d work a typical 8-hour day from beginning to end on my feet and with my attention on the tasks at hand. For my personal or freelance work, there’s definitely more of a process to getting-to-it. I tend to work either in the early mornings when the sun is rising or into the late hours of the evening. I like the quiet. When the world outside stands a bit more still, I feel like I am not missing out and can focus inward. There’s no distractions. I’ll set soft deadlines for myself for larger projects. A few dedicated hours a week can make a world of difference. And also... believe it or not, but sometimes learning how to “end” a project is a really valuable skill to have. I’ve restarted works that didn’t feel right even if I was 10 hours into it and often the second attempt looks a hundred times better than the first. I’ve also set hard deadlines for myself as to not overwork a piece. I set boundaries for myself to keep a healthy relationship between myself and my work. I should share more with the world, however. That’s definitely an area I need to work on.
4.] How do you know when you are done?
I didn't even realize this was the next question! Often, it comes with feeling. Or as I mentioned before, it’s a skill that can be acquired with experience. Theoretically, you can always keep adding to a project until you’re exhausted by it and every detail has been worked over a thousand times [until your project becomes its own Ship of Theseus]. Usually, I know I’m done a project when I feel like there is no more meaningful contributions I could make. If I start mulling over the details and start wasting time, that’s usually an indication I’m either lacking a big part of it or else I am overthinking — it’s usually the latter. Sometimes if I’m truly struggling, I will ask my friends what they think. Often having a few close friends who share their opinions about your truthfully is helpful for making that decision.
