It is a gloomy Thursday afternoon and artist Andy Anissimoff, 38, is in his brightly lit 2,100 square foot Mamquam Road studio putting the finishing touches on one of his mesmorizing bear pieces as Bruce Springsteen plays on the radio. Anissimoff’s 14-week old Aussie shepherd-blue heeler cross, Penny, gnaws happily on a rawhide stick nearby.
Though he was clearly uncomfortable talking about himself — often taking off his trucker hat to rub his hair and wince at the questions — the unassuming Anissimoff sat down with The Chief for a chat about his art, years in Squamish and what he would tell young artists.
What follows is an edited version of that conversation.
Q: When you were a little boy, what is your first memory of being artistic?
A: Through my grandfather — he was artistic. He was a naval architect and he used to build little models of ships and all sorts of things with his hands so I was able to gain an appreciation for what was possible. He was for sure my first creative inspiration.
Q: But you originally became an industrial designer?
A: Yes, I am an industrial designer — a product designer — by trade. I went to school in Toronto for it. The job is making things pretty so think of anything from shoe design to furniture. But, it is really technical and I was always more into the ideas and the beginning and the creative part and then it just wasn’t so fun for me after that stage. I am more of an artist.
Q: You came to Squamish 15 years ago, what brought you here?
A: The easiest answer is because I wanted more at the end of the day. When you are done working, this is where I wanted to be: in the mountains and by the ocean. I am very much an outdoors-type person. I was always drawn here. I grew up in the Toronto area, but my mom was from Victoria so I had a connection to the coast.
Q: You are well known locally, I think, for these amazing bear paintings. Why bears?
A: To be honest, the bears are just a portion of my business. I probably sell half animals and half landscapes. But I painted a bear one time and I sold it and then someone wanted another one and on it went. I basically had an idea about how I wanted them presented. They are also very challenging to paint.
I used to work up in the Yukon and I took a ton of photos of brown bears and grizzly bears — I have definitely had a lot of bear encounters.
Q: Who are your clients, primarily?
A: They are from over the place. I sell quite a bit in Squamish, Whistler and Vancouver, but also in Europe and the U.S.
Q: So this is your full-time gig now, you don’t have another job?
A: I have been full-time at this for over three years now. I can say that now. At first I didn’t want to say that incase it all fell apart.
I work about 15 hours a day, every day.
Making cool art is 10 per cent of the business, though. The rest is hard work getting your art out there. It is a very tricky business. Nobody’s art business is going to be alike. It is a total moving target. You have to come up with a plan and believe in it.
Q: Do you have a goal of where you want to be in five years?
A: Every day is a gift so I don’t think that far ahead, really.
Q: What is something you don’t think the public knows about your art?
A: I don’t know… I guess that all this art, it all comes from the Group of Seven. When I first saw their art, that is when I knew there was something in my life that connected. I can even remember when I was first introduced to them in Grade 6 that is where I kept coming back to with my art.
I have been making and selling my art since 2003. Also, a huge thanks to Arts Whistler [formerly the Whistler Arts Council]. They have been an amazing support for me. The Squamish Arts Council is great too, but for me, my connections started with the Whistler Arts Council. They have done a lot for me, and for a lot of artists.
Q: What is your process creating your art?
A: I am an early bird. I am up having my coffee at a café at 5:30 a.m. I usually get most of my work done by noon. If I have anything creative to do, I do it in the morning. I am asleep by 9 or 10 p.m.
Q: What would you say to a talented artistic kid who is just starting out?
A: Be confident. It is that simple.
They should also be very careful to listen to themselves and what their style is. Don’t put your style in a box and put it under the bed.
And paint, paint, paint, paint, paint.
Q: After your 15 hours a day working on your art, what else do you do for fun?
A: Hiking, mountain biking, golfing. I am also a motor head. I like any type of motorsport.
To see more of his art, go to Artinbc.com.
