Playa Del Carmen and Tulum Mexico Real Estate | DREAM WALLS: AN INTERVIEW WITH A PLAYA DEL CARMEN MURALIST

DREAM WALLS: AN INTERVIEW WITH A PLAYA DEL CARMEN MURALIST

Art on city walls has become, across the world and over the years, a city's identity; representation and inspiration of its people; its community and also its hope and dreams. Artist Lou-Andrea Gaupp, originally from Montreal, Canada now a full time resident of Playa del Carmen, has found a way to leave her mark and soul on Playa del Carmen. She has left a piece of herself on some of the city's most iconic hotel walls and condo buildings in our little city on the sea.

BuyPlaya was thrilled to have a chance to interview this amazing, accomplished and promising artist. We tip our hat to Lou-Andrea for literally painting our town red!

Q. How did your artistic journey start?

A. My first independent job was face-painting children in a touristy part of town in Old Montreal, my birth place. I was 14 years old, it was an impromptu summer job. The following summer, a man saw me painting on the street and asked me if I would be interested in doing live body painting for a rave company called Nexus. I painted many circus artists that summer, live, in front of large audiences. Most of my subjects were acrobats from Cirque du Soleil. I had to combine my painting skills with performance arts and much of it was improvised on the spot. This was something new to me. It was weird, exciting and I believe it gave me the confidence I needed to pursue this new-found calling. Since then, I haven't limited myself to one form or way of creation although, painting has always been my favored form of expression.

Q. What technique do you use to paint such large murals? Do you use a plan as a reference?

A. Yes I use sketches, image references and sometimes math equations as a guide but I usually give myself the possibility to make changes along the way and improvise. It depends on the kind of mural. Some demand more technicality while others can evolve more naturally.

Q. What influences Mexico has on your art?

A. Mexico is the country I chose (or did it choose me?) as opposed to the one I was born into... It gave me much of the invisible substance required for my work: Magic, spontaneity, openness and most of all the receptivity needed to materialize my dreams. I feel like I was never told what or how to do things here. Mexico simply gives me a nudge to keep following my instincts and push further in my curious quest. It is a country that boils with possibilities, nothing feels finite here. The influence it has on my art is incalculable, yet subtle. Honestly, I don't know where it begins or ends and it probably doesn't matter, but the energy that Mexico offers is present in much of the pieces I've realized in the past 10 years or so.

Q. How did the idea of painting murals start, and which was your first mural?

A. Painting murals is something I started doing a few years back and like most things I've done so far, it was born out of an impulse to try something new and to challenge myself. I was also blessed by people who believed in me and gave me the opportunity I needed at the right time. It was scary at first because the dimensions can be overwhelming but I found out quickly that this was the greatest thrill of all. The first one I did was here in Playa del Carmen at the Palm Hotel on 8th street.

Q. What are the biggest obstacles and challenges when painting a mural?

A. Every aspect of making a mural can be challenging, starting with finding and developing ideas and making sure that your idea works for the surface to be worked on. The client may have certain expectations that need to be considered. Sometimes the surface isn't a blank wall at all and has obstacles to take into account and-or integrate such as windows, staircases, doors etc. The weather is an issue at times. For the latest mural, because of the position of the building, the sun beamed directly on me all day long and I could only work a few hours a day in the morning. By one o`clock, the temperature was unbearable and actually dangerous. Then there`s the height of course, not for the faint of heart! It`s physically demanding in general, climbing up and down scaffolding but I get an extra kick out of that.

Q. What are your next projects or dreams as an artist?

A. As an artist, I think one has to be incredibly focused and determined because what we do is often outside the realm of the rational-pragmatic world we live in. Many people, and sometimes not even ourselves, understand why we need to do what we do. Personally, I am able to realize my dreams because I believe in them strongly, often against all practical sense and no matter how crazy they can seem to others at times. Fortunately, I also have the immense good fortune of having my work appreciated by many and have been granted plenty of opportunities along the way. I intend to pursue the curvaceous path I chose, and realize many more murals and other artistic projects. I will be building an art studio here in Playa this September to give myself even more of the creative space I need to dig deeper within myself and give birth to new pieces and projects. I also hope this special space will be used to exchange and collaborate with other artists. My next mural project is scheduled for November near Lisbon in Portugal.

Lou-Andrea is a multi talent artist and has a large range of art pieces, from building murals, to body painting and all types of canvas.

BuyPlaya is proud to support local artists as well as cultural events in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. The artists who leave their print on our unique city contribute to our identity as a world known destination and also as a community.

You can visit Lou-Andrea's facebook to see more of her work. You can also see her amazing murals in person at Palm Hotel on Calle 8th between 5th and 10th Avenue, Soho Hotel on 10th Avenue corner Calle 24th and Condos Tao on Calle 42 between 1st avenue and Calle Cozumel... for now... more will surely follow!