Interview with Thais Beltrame

Thais, Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?

I was born and raised in São Paulo, Brasil. I spent almost seven years in San Francisco and Chicago, then returned to São Paulo.



What’s your artistic background? Went to Art School?

I used to draw ever since I was a little kid so I never thought of art as a profession. It was as natural as play time for me. I used to get irritated by adults who were always telling me that I had to work with art so I decided to rebel when I was a teenager and I tried to study something else. But it didn't work. Before I realized it, I was enrolled in an art school. My first art class ever was in college; I took a figure drawing class at City College of San Francisco.



What medium, tools do you feel the most comfortable to work with?

Pen and ink and paper. I use the nib when it's in a good mood. I've been trying hard to tame it lately. I also enjoy watercolor although it's a bit too wild for me sometimes.



Tell us about the Famiglia?

I'm not allowed to speak about the Famiglia.



How’s the street/urban art movement seen in Brazil, compared to the UK or US?

It's hard for me to look at movements as separate entities, and also to feel belonged to a specific movement. I can speak for Brasil, where I see something that has been blooming for the past ten years or so. It's not something that is just happening right now and I think this generation of artists comes from different kinds of backgrounds, not just street art. But because specifically street art is in such massive evidence in media, perhaps people started paying a bit more attention in contemporary art from our generation of artists. I think this is happening globally and the main challenge may be to drop the term "urban" or "street" art and to level it to art. Somehow these labels seem to patronize and simplify the work of some artists who are by no means less talented than the so-called high-art.



Do you also paint/draw outside in the street? Is it something that attracts you?

I do on occasion but mainly to enjoy my friends' company and to do something that is opposite to sitting quietly with a blank piece of paper. To create is such a solitary activity that I find it lovely to be able to go outside and breathe some fresh air. But I can't say that it's my main passion or my strongest medium.



How do you find your inspiration?

It is far from logic. Everything I live ends up digested on paper, along with deep seated emotions. I like to stir up things and let the drawings be what they wish to be, and tell me whatever they want to. I've given up control on them. There's enough inspiration in the world we live, but we must look hard for it. I just remembered a sign I used to see when I used to take the train to work every morning in Chicago. it was the back of a house and it said "find beauty'. Beauty is something to be found, although not an easy task.
In you last series of drawing you worked on a “real experience” theme, Do you prefer to work on this kind of subject?
I have a very curious and unresting mind, so I'm constantly gathering information of all sorts, just because it will fascinate me. The childhood cruelty series was the first one that I've created from specific and actual stories. I do think that they all have this element, like certain fiction writers who always include bits and pieces from their real lives, but it's impossible to tell.



Where can we see you work in 2008 and what are your plans for this year?

I'm currently showing work at ocontemporary gallery in Brighton, together with San and John Simpson. This show will run until the 9th of March. Then in May I will participate on a show at Carmichael Gallery in Los Angeles, along with four artists. That show opens on May 24th. I have endless plans for this year, specially now that I quit my awful day job. I'm also working on illustrations for a couple of books. Books have always been a passion for me as well.





You can see Thais work at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thais_beltrame
http://www.baglione.blogspot.com