Stefan Gevers
'There are some parts to my practice that are repetitive, working with patterns and applying texture. These are the relaxing stages for me and time for my mind to start wandering'. - SG
S&HG // When you’re making, what are you thinking about? Is it all technical or are you able to let your mind wander?
My work is very much process-based. I work within concepts and really try to collaborate with the medium. Watercolour has a mind of its own and so do I. The challenge lies in finding a balance that benefits both of us. For me, it is a combination of using Hand, Head and Heart with Hand representing my skills, Head the concept and recognising what watercolour can do by itself and Heart the most important in creating something that is authentic and unique.
There are constant creative decisions to make until the work starts to “communicate” to me. If it is still just paint on paper it means I need to keep working. Lots of thinking happens in-between, stages of making the work, usually problem solving and making creative decisions. Watercolour demands planning and patience, like waiting for layers to dry. I've learned to set works aside and give them time rather than persisting and losing perspective. There are some parts to my practice that are repetitive, working with patterns and applying texture. These are the relaxing stages for me and time for my mind to start wandering.
S&HG // Have you ever had makers block? How do you overcome it?
Interestingly, I struggle more with an excess of ideas rather than a lack of them. My mind seems to be in a constant state of creativity and rarely stops, and my challenge often lies in maintaining focus on a specific project and not getting side-tracked. I maintain journals of all my ideas, which can be visual images, words, sculptural elements, and concepts that may lead to new work. When I find myself in an "in-between stage," I refer to these journals to regain focus and direction. Not working is really hard for me and I have had to learn to take time off, see exhibitions, walk, travel to gain perspective on my own practice.
S&HG // Overall, is your art practice meditation or migraine?
Making and creating is a mixture of overcome challenges but in the end, it should make me happy. It is something I feel I am good at, and only can I keep working if it does give me some sort of satisfaction. I often seek to work in nature or initiate projects in natural settings, which I find calming and allows me to concentrate fully. Hence, I would describe it as meditative.
