Interview
Anthony Blazevic
Growing up in a small town on the outskirts of Halifax, Nova Scotia, surrounded by ocean playgrounds, evergreen landscapes, and winter wonderlands, Anthony was, at a very young age, drawn to the concrete playgrounds of the skateboard world, with melodies of underground hip-hop and punk rock anarchy.
The heroes and influential role models in these genres were labeled as outcasts, rebels, and anarchists, out there making a statement. And their identities were portrayed through artwork. Whether it was the graphics on a skateboard deck, snowboard, or album cover, the artwork illustrated who they were. That was the fascination for Anthony.
Relocating to the West Coast as a young adult, his interests expanded into motorcycle and hot rod culture, having similar roots. His passion for illustrating skateboard and snowboard graphics transferred to the airbrush and custom paint world. Making a statement, like his childhood heroes. Often illustrating people’s accomplishments, emotions, and insecurities—symbolized in his paint jobs—it wasn’t long before Anthony transferred his custom culture influenced creations onto canvas.
Currently back on the East Coast of Canada where his inspiration began, Anthony continues the mission, while starting a new chapter in his fine art career.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’ve been drawing all my life. I have memories of drawing Smurfs when I was 4 years old, while watching Saturday morning cartoons. About 6 years later when I began skateboarding, I became obsessed with skateboard graphics. Pro skaters have their own signature decks, and the graphics illustrated their identity. I would scrape the graphics off an old deck and illustrate it as my own signature model sometimes.
This came back into play in my mid 30s, when I quit my job to start a career as an airbrush artist. I would create custom murals on motorbikes and hotrods, often illustrating people’s hopes, fears, and insecurities. It wasn’t too long after that that I translated these custom culture creations onto canvas.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My work speaks my mind. I avoid political issues because it’s just not me. My style is surrealism. I like to create something that doesn’t exist and make it believable, or take something that does exist and put it in a fantasy world. Sometimes I include a hidden messages or symbolism, and the odd time I throw in a bit of humor.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“My Surreal Landscapes & Wildlife series is mostly done on sheet metal. I use power tools to manipulate patterns in the metal, and transparent dyes are lit on fire to create a holographic effect in the background. I incorporate different pouring mediums as well. I use a top coat of epoxy resin to add depth, 3D effects, and magnify the effects manipulated on the sheet metal canvas.”
“A. Blaze Fine Art is a mixed media surrealistic visual display of bold symbolism with a raw demeanor.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“My layout process is pretty strategic. I spend a lot of time researching different themes and symbolism, if needed. Then I gather reference photos and do a rough layout in Photoshop. This becomes my reference for the painting.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“A lot of my current work is labeled as mixed media. Alcohol inks and urethane candies—a transparent automotive dye-based paint—gold, silver, and copper leaf. Acrylic paint airbrushed. I begin by manipulating patterns in sheet metal with an angle grinder. After my layout is established, I render the background with alcohol inks. Adding more isopropyl and lighting it on fire can achieve a chemical reaction for blending colors. The foreground or subject matter is applied using freehand airbrush techniques with acrylic paints. Sometimes I use gold, silver, or copper leaf as a base for the subject matter to add illumination.
I also experiment with different pouring mediums on wood as an alternative abstract background. I use the same techniques over this for the subject matter.
I make my own frames to support the weight of these. Larger pieces can weigh up to 30 pounds. I use rustic and live edge wood to give a unique framing option.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My work is a way to express myself. It’s an extension of my mind and how I tell a story.”
What is your favorite artwork and why?
“I’ve always been drawn to hyper realism. It impresses me a great deal. But for my work personally, I wouldn’t be able to fully express myself if I only focused on realism. I use realism techniques to make something that doesn’t exist become more believable.”
