CHRISTOPHER SOUSA

“I reassure them that I’ll do my best to make them look as beautiful as I can. I understand that being nude or semi nude in a room with a photographer or artist puts a model in a really vulnerable position. ” – Interview with Christopher Sousa painter.

Could we start with some background information about you? How did you get interested in art?

I’ve been interested in art since I was a young child. I have an older sister who liked to draw when we were kids, so I always wanted to draw too. I wanted to do whatever she was doing. It came easily to me, I was the kid who just had a natural ability to draw, the one who the art teachers always fawned over. I took basic art classes in school and had a brief, aborted attempt at college, but for the most part I’m self taught. As an adult I’ve taken a few classes here and there, but I think I learn best on my own.

Where do you based?

I live in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in the United States. I’ve been here for about fourteen years.

Do you paint after model? Or how your process looks like?

Yes, I work with models, but I rarely paint from life. I generally hire a model for a couple of hours and photograph him in my studio. I set up lights, props etc. Often I work to recreate thumbnail sketches I’ve done in advance, but sometimes I just work with the energy of the model, try to see what comes naturally. Some models are incredibly intuitive. I then begin the editing process, combing through the photos to decide which ones will work best as reference images for painting.

What makes a model to be great? Do you keep the contact with your models, or you paint some of them regularly?

I think the most important quality for a model is the ability to be comfortable in the studio. For some people, the idea of modeling for an artist sounds fun, romantic, adventurous, etc., but then they freeze up during the session. They might be self conscious about their weight, a pimple, etc. They look visibly uncomfortable. Stiff and nervous. Others are very natural and completely at ease while modeling. I try to help models relax by talking to them while we work, reminding them that they don’t have to worry about how the photos look since nobody sees them except me. I reassure them that I’ll do my best to make them look as beautiful as I can. I understand that being nude or semi nude in a room with a photographer or artist puts a model in a really vulnerable position. It can take some time for them to feel comfortable. Once they do and a trust is established, things usually work out fine. I usually do keep in contact with most of my models, through social media if nothing else. I’ve had a few models that I’ve used a number of times, but unfortunately I live in a seasonal resort town where people tend to come and go rather quickly, so I often don’t get to work with a model more than once. I currently have one great local model that I’ve painted a number of times who also poses regularly for a life drawing group I attend.

What do you think how important is social meda in an artist’s life?

I think it’s very important. I show my work in a couple of different galleries, but in doing so you’re exposure is limited. I’ve made many great contacts through Faceboolk, instagram, tumblr, etc., often resulting in sales. I’ve been asked to participate in shows by people who discovered my work on social media. It’s a wonderful tool. It also keeps me connected with what’s happening in the art world. I live in a pretty remote area and don’t regularly have access to great museums and galleries. With social media I can easily keep abreast of what’s happeing in the art world.

You says on your instagram you have a low tolerance of bullshit. What is this should mean?

I think what I mean is that I have no time for needless drama. There’s way too much bullshit drama online. That’s why I like instagram. It’s all visual. If I don’t like someone’s aesthetics or I get bored with them, I just unfollow them. Pretty simple.

Which is your favorite art out of painting and why?

I think you’re asking what kind of art I like outside of painting? That would definitely be photography. I tend to collect more photography than painting. I worked for 10 years in a gallery that dealt in vintage photography, so that probably accounts for my interest in it. Photography and music, I’m a huge music geek.

Which artists are you obsessed right now?

I just saw the amazing David Hockney show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY and was absolutely blown away by his genius. His sense of color and composition are just brilliant. I’ve been a Hockney fan since I was a teenager, but this show really reignited my love for his work.

Do you have any big plan for 2018?

Just to paint as much as I can and hopefully work towards connecting with some more galleries. I truly love painting, I find great pleasure in it, but networking is not my strong suit. I guess I need to reach out some more. Also to try and see as much live music as I can. I think it really adds immeasurably to quality of life.

Do you have any New Year resolutions?

I usually say the same things every year: go to the gym regularly and try to find a boyfriend. Maybe I’ll just focus on the gym this year, lol.