Meet Curt Gaudon | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Curt Gaudon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Curt, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
When I started taking art more seriously as a career, I did a self-directed residency in Newfoundland for three months. I pursued a new artistic path, working with different materials, without photographic references, painting from life in a beautiful and harsh landscape. Working this way asked me to develop my imagination and redefined my artistic process in a way that is still affecting my creative work, and my view of creativity and intentionality in general.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
WHY DO YOU MAKE ART?
Being an artist gives me the space to explore my thoughts, ideas, and dreams. As someone who often struggles to find words in the moment, the language of physical materials and mark-making offers a deeper lexicon for me to pull from. Creating visual art lets me contemplate and express ideas more meaningfully than I could using words alone.

WHAT’S ONE THING ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY THAT OUTSIDERS ARE PROBABLY UNAWARE OF?
The more you work, the easier it is to find inspiration. A steady stream of work, studies, and play keeps you sharp, hones your craft, and ensures you keep evolving and growing as an artist. Emphasis on play.

I like to think that every time I sit down to work, I have to “break the ice”. The more I do it though, the thinner the ice gets and the easier it is to drop in next time.

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT RISK, WHAT ROLE HAS TAKING RISKS PLAYED IN YOUR LIFE/CAREER?
I’m more concerned about pushing myself than taking risks. I do a lot of research around art materials, colour, creativity, and visual language, which improves my skills and strengthens my voice. My curiosity keeps me evolving.

I think the key to pushing yourself is to plan on failing. If you choose to be an artist, you’ve gotta have thick skin. You can’t be afraid to fail. Yes, it’s uncomfortable and can be embarrassing, but it’s essential to improving and developing original ideas. Not to mention people are always judging what you do. If you’re afraid of that, it can be hard to grow. I’m not saying you should show everyone your practice work, but you must allow yourself the time and space to take risks in the safety of your studio.

However, I’m not into taking big risks, for me the risks are small, but when you add them together over a long course of time, you can make some profound and interesting changes to your life and your work.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS?
I try to be true to myself, more specifically I create art that I myself like, in a way that’s enjoyable to me. I spend countless hours painting and sketching–moving my hand along paper and canvas. The way in which I paint has evolved over time and supports how I like to move, gesture, and hold my body.

My work is guided by my values, emotions, and intellect. I don’t cater to trends or social reactions, which can make it hard to fit in–especially on the internet–but in the end my work is better for it since it comes from a very personal place.
What’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
I was a founding partner of a successful Toronto start-up for over 5 years. The company was doing great, but it took a lot out of me. I realized I was no longer in charge of my own time, and more importantly, I didn’t like the direction my life had taken and how little art I was making. So I left, at the height of our success. I was starting over, burnt out and knew I wanted to rebuild my life to align with my values. It set me on the course to take art-making more seriously and to carry with me the lessons I’d learned: to work to find balance, that creativity takes work, that work isn’t free.

Choosing to leave behind the company I had worked so hard to create was extremely difficult but set the course for what my life is today–better.

WORK LIFE BALANCE: HOW HAS YOUR BALANCE CHANGED OVER TIME?
It takes time to heal from burn-out, and I think it comes through in the artwork I’ve been making. I’ve always been something of a work-horse. I enjoy working hard, I love getting into my flow-state, and I have no problems putting in the hours. The older I get, though, the more intentional I am about my time.

More recently, my son was born. My free time has become almost nil, but I’m finding ways to continue making art with more intention in the small pockets of time I find.

Regarding work-life balance, the more I’m able to step back and explore my goals and ideas before jumping into the details, the better I am at picking my battles and choosing when to turn-it-on and when to dial it back.

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE BALANCE?
I’ve learned the hard way that personal growth and artistic breakthroughs can and do happen during periods of rest. Resting is not weakness.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE QUOTE OR AFFIRMATION? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU / WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
“A young painter who cannot liberate [themself] from the influence of past generations is digging [their] own grave.” -Henri Matisse
I have a tendency for nostalgia and while I think it’s important and necessary to begin your career by studying and even imitating the masters, it’s only by seeking the unknown that your work can truly become your own. This quote is a good reminder for me to look to my time, and imagination, for the threads of inspiration to follow.

WHY DID YOU PURSUE AN ARTISTIC OR CREATIVE CAREER?
Making art brings me joy and fulfilment. It allows me to work through my inner dialog in a way that brings meaning and direction to my life. Being an artist is important to me. If I don’t create, I don’t grow.

Cultivating an artistic career is something I’m lucky to be able to do. Art has allowed me to forge my own path and focus on what’s important to me, which right now is finding balance and a deeper connection with my family, friends, and the natural world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
High Park in Toronto Canada

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
M Joakim – https://mjoakim.com

Website: https://curtgaudon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curt.gaudon.art/