Interview
Andrew Ozgeylani
Andrew is a larger than life artist hailing from Toronto, Canada who makes beautiful art prints, designs and creates accessories that are just as beautiful as they are gorgeous and functional. His creative wonder and imagination truly shows with wonderful use of colors, patterns, textures and simplicity that invites introspection and happiness to the art world.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background is Canadian, both my parents immigrated to Canada from Europe. I grew up in Toronto which I call home. My journey into the art world started when I was surfing and snowboarding quite extensively with my past friends and it became some sort of creative adventure from filming surfing videos and snowboard trips, to waking up one morning a couple of years ago and just creating these beautiful works that express the thoughts and feelings we call emotions. I can confidently say that is my journey so far into the art world. Creating beautiful emotions and feelings for others, whether it triggers introspection or manifests love and happiness.”
What inspires you?
“What inspires me is finally finding true love, living authentically, creating love and growing with someone special, someone you consider your person, your equal loving partner. I have come to realize that art is created by love and the thoughts and emotions that are positive in that creation. When we have someone special in our life, who supports you, believes in you, trusts you, loves you - this unconditional, unwavering feeling inspires me everyday to push forward, make the right choices and live in the moment instead of letting external things that may be out of my control have such an effect that it deviates the course. I am at my best when I experience love and knowing I am present and taking care of the expectations that are placed on myself, as an artist, as a loving devoted partner and as a human being.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The themes I pursue are quite often very unique and natural. For one, I created the 'Drivers Club' which is a luxurious and motorsport themed car club for car fans. The theme of which centers around car culture and the enthusiasm it draws upon. Another theme is the surf culture, which is a big part of my influence and life. Those are some of my favorites that I am proud of. Another theme is the natural floral works and patterns of colors, shapes, depths, minimalisms which gives the viewer just this immense sense of wonder and imagination and thoughtfulness, very positive feelings. The underlying message in all my works is to remember what its like to use our imagination and creativity to experience feelings of positivity, whether you look at a floral print and it reminds you of summer and all the wonderful warmness that is associated with it, or you gaze upon an piece that transports you literally to the landscape you see in front of your eyes.”
How would you describe your work?
“I can describe it as really incredible, unique, inspiring, gorgeous, friendly, inviting, warm, loving, emotional. But to really describe it, is best left to the personal introspection it creates or instills in someone. And we may never really know how those feelings are for someone, but I can be confident that the work makes a positive change in feelings and attitudes which only serves the purpose of sharing love in all ways and allowing oneself to experience just a moment of bliss and happiness. I think this best describes my work as important to contributing for overall happiness, making the world more colorful and opening our hearts up to receive that wholesomeness that calls.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am not influenced by any artists to be quite honest. I don't care for competition. I am influenced by my environment that I enjoy being a part of. I am a really wholesome type of guy, and I love spending my time with my partner who I adore so much, and she has been influential to me not just as a loving relationship, but because the person she is and I value that so much and it truly inspires me to learn, grow, achieve and set out to tackle my fears and the unknown. This influence I really draw from, and it is someone I am very grateful to know. I got this grand gratitude everyday to love them and to have an amazing relationship with. We all need this real type of influence in our life, we are such connected people where we want to shine for someone brighter than the stars we see at night.”
“What inspires me is finally finding true love, living authentically, creating love and growing with someone special, someone you consider your person, your equal loving partner.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is so unique and so inspiring for everyone. I get up and I set the tone for the day by creating a little routine of wins. Make the bed, win. Coffee or tea, win. Brush teeth, get dressed, win. I set out for a day often times, could be on the subway, could be by the lake, or I do these 40KM walks for absolutely no reason other than I feel it brings me peace and focus by reconnecting myself to the outdoors and nature. Nature can be something of an inspirational trove of gold. It can really reconnect your mind, body and soul to this frequency which draws in and attracts the creativity that you desire most because the scenery influences your thoughts and feelings, which materialize into what you see before yourself in reality. This is the creative process I love and because I love it, its easy for myself. And I want everyone to really do it for themselves because it is something important for us as human beings and creatives.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artists role is society is to keep us dreaming, thinking, creating, loving, inspiring, designing. Really using our imagination and trusting our intuitions with 100 percent confidence that we are making right choices and right decisions that benefit everyone, not just yourself, but everyone together. It is important for an artist to always understand that what you convey to your audience, they will be receptive on it, so you must be mindful of the concepts you really want to convey but not so much that it doesn't create variety of thought. This could very well be the evolving aspect as we move towards more deeply, modern and sophisticated art works that seem so practical, so original, so enlightened that it becomes the masterpieces we all crave for.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“None yet, the plan is to be in exhibitions in the next few months whether in Canada or internationally. I do like the international component because it positions the art in a strategic light and it serves the purpose of awareness. I have been working on designing an immersive experience with the digital components added to highlight visually the art and designs I worked on and created, and for people to enjoy that experience and ambiance it creates. Not looking at large venues, just a small little gallery, cozy, chic, romantic. I really do visualize this, pretty much everyday!”
