RockStar Reflections by Wells

By Stacey Wells
VANCOUVER, BC (Herald de Paris) - Perhaps nothing is less interesting than another interview with another contemporary artist.  “What if,” we thought, “We allowed the artists to interview themselves?”  With that was born our “self-interview” series.  We like to think that the artists, by interviewing themselves, dive right into the most poignant aspects of their lives, instead of relying on a reporter to dig, dig, dig for information.  This genre of the self-interview is somewhat evolutionary, and highly experimental.  We welcome your thoughts on the idea. - Jes.

SW:  Tell us about yourself.

The Artist Wells: I grew up in the beauty of North Vancouver where I began a love for drawing . Tragically when I was two my dad, Warner Wells, was killed in a plane crash when a passenger put a bomb on board the commercial plane he was piloting.  Because of this I spent countless wonderful hours with my grandparents, who lived on the waterfront in West Vancouver.

SW: So, where did your early inspiration come from?

The Artist Wells: My Grandpa and I would skip rocks on the ocean.  I loved to watch the ripples in the sunlight.  This is where I began a fascination with water, light and reflections.  Years later, I traveled with my mom and sisters to Australia where we lived out our father’s dream to take us there. With stays in Fiji, and Hawaii I cataloged the colors and sights in my mind’s eye, to eventually re-visit in  large vibrant acrylic paintings, and unique underwater portraits.  As a teen, I fell in love with drawing faces after I drew a picture of Rod Stewart from an album cover.  Ironically Stewart’s first band was named Faces.

SW:  Rod Stewart has been a particularly strong influence on you - hasn’t he?

The Artist Wells: Stewart shares the same birthday as me.  As fate would have it, I actually danced on stage with him twice, as he pulled me up on stage at two different concerts.

SW: Aside from Rod Stewart concerts, where did you receive your training?

The Artist Wells: I was lucky to attend Carson Graham Secondary which had an incredible art program. I flourished with great mentors, Wing Chow and Martin Place, who taught commercial design, lithography and sculpture. I excelled in sculpture and won a scholarship award for my work. In early years, I was inspired by Andrew Wyeth and I credit my technical drawing skills to hours of studying his work.  As the years progressed I found new inspiration in artists such as Warhol, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Dali.  My style loosened up and with each passionate brush stroke I created my own unique style. After high school I attended Capilano College and completed one year in the studio arts program.  Eventually I moved to Langley, a rich artist’s community.

SW:  And where do you draw your interests from now?

The Artist Wells: Traveling. I have made recent trips to Beijing, Waikiki, and San Francisco.  But it was by attending several rock concerts that I have found much inspiration for my next paintings.

SW:  Here we go, again, with the rock star thing.  I can see it has been very influential.

The Artist Wells: You have no idea - wait, YOU probably do.  On a trip to Napa Valley for what we called, “the Rock Star reunion,” we hopped in a Limo that took us to the Cosentino Winery.  We really enjoyed the wine and bought some of their Cosentino Reserve - the wine was truly “Rock star worthy” - and this inspired the series of “Rock Star” wine paintings.

SW:  (Laughs) I am sure you are not the first artist to be influenced by the grape, but you might be the first to combine it with music.

The Artist Wells: I like to think so.  We stayed at the Meritage Resort, an absolutely wonderful place where we relaxed at the spa and enjoyed our Rock Star wine on the patio - with breakfast, like rock stars would.  Inspired by Cosentino wine, I have continued to paint Rock Star reflections in wine bottles.  I have had such a great response to this from gallery owners and other contacts -  I have even had inquiries from wineries in Australia and an order from Delaware, as most of my clients share my love for music and wine.

SW:  Where are you currently showing?

The Artist Wells: Recently, I have been asked to display paintings at the Canadian Country Music Awards.  I also have a show in Las Vegas at Jack’s Gallery, in Mandalay Bay, during the Wine Amplified festival.  I am so excited to combine my love of Rock n Roll, wine, reflections and faces for a truly unique series I call Rock Star Reflections .