LUC VENTURIM

---

Carpazine: Luc, it's been a while since our last interview, and we're happy to have you back for another. Tell us, what have you been up to?

Luc: It's a pleasure and an honor! Thank you very much for the invitation. I'm glad and grateful to participate in Carpazine with an interview. Well, I've been working on a series of paintings inspired by the figure of the vampire, exploring their sins and virtues, and also drawing some inspiration from literature and cinema. I'm also gradually developing a new series with a spiritual theme.

Carpazine: How did you initially become interested in etherealism, fantasy, and gothic art? What attracts you to these genres?

Luc: I think my personality has always led me to identify with these genres and to see them as a form of expression. I'm somewhat introverted, imaginative, and with a certain dose of melancholic sensitivity. So, it was a natural inclination. Since adolescence, I've been interested in these types of works, whether in visual arts, literature, music, cinema, etc.

Carpazine: Can you describe your artistic process? How do you translate ethereal and fantastical elements into your work?

Luc: The process can start from introspection and internal observation – visual imagination, feelings, dreams, astral projections – or from observation of external elements, always with an imaginative filter to transform these elements. So, based on research or chance, I add components (from real life, or literary, musical, etc.) that I find during the process and that I feel relate to the theme. It's a great metaphysical bricolage.

Carpazine: Who are your biggest artistic influences within the genres of etherealism, fantasy, and gothic art? 

Luc: Primarily, some artistic movements we've had in history, such as ancient art, the Middle Ages, Romanticism, Symbolism, Decadence, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Visionary Art, Fantastic Art, and Lowbrow Art. Within Romanticism, I really like some artists who did more gothic work, like Henry Fuseli, William Blake, and Goya. I also absorb influences from gothic literature, gothic, fantastic, and horror cinema, classical music, world music, and music from the gothic subculture.

Carpazine: Your work often features mystical and otherworldly themes. What messages or emotions do you hope viewers will absorb from your art?

Luc: A closeness to the realm of the Unconscious, imagination, dream, feeling. And gradually, in my work – and I'm about to develop it more – concepts of life beyond matter, eternal light, redemption have emerged. That which transcends all the darkness and pain of the world.

Carpazine: How do you incorporate elements of gothic art into your work? What aspects of this genre do you find most captivating?

Luc: In my work, lately, I've been emphasizing shadows and dark tones, irrational compositions and environments, elements from the past, the supernatural, terror, and dark and uncomfortable themes of existence. Interestingly, I didn't incorporate these elements at the beginning of my work, where I explored lighter, colorful, illuminated, impressionistic themes, which brought me learnings. But I feel like I've started to arrive at an aesthetic I identify with more, blending shadows with a richness of colors and textures, which allows me to develop more depth in the themes.

Carpazine: Do you have favorite materials or techniques that you use to create your art? How do these choices contribute to the ethereal quality of your work?

Luc: In terms of materials, I mainly work with acrylic paint, which initially – I admit – I chose for its practicality and feasibility for me compared to oil paint, but I ended up learning and developing techniques that allow for this ethereal quality, such as spraying, paint dripping, and transparencies, and acrylic paint serves me very well for that, being water-based. But more rarely, I also "play" with oil paint, watercolor, dry pastel chalk, charcoal chalk, and collage on painting. In addition, I have returned to drawing, whether with ink pen or digital illustration.

Carpazine: Many of your pieces have a dreamlike quality. Can you discuss the role of imagination and dreams in your artistic vision?

Luc: I consider it an infinite source of creativity and self-knowledge. I've always dreamed a lot and I usually remember my dreams. And what made me see greater meaning and richness in dreams and the Unconscious, for more than a decade now, was mainly the work of Carl G. Jung and studies in symbolism, mythology. This in the psychological sense. In the spiritual realm, I see dreams as a bridge to the dimensions of the soul and spirit, beyond matter. And in this sense, in my life, I awakened a latent ability that I had and developed it, what they call conscious projection/astral projection/out-of-body experience. In some of these astral projection experiences, I see already finished paintings, and waking up in the middle of the night, I sketch what I see, to paint what I saw in the world beyond as soon as possible. For me, the relationship with dreams is essential for understanding myself, others, life. And of course, raw material for art. After all, what is painting if not transferring the dream to the concrete surface?

Carpazine: How do you balance the darker, more mysterious aspects of gothic art with the ethereal and fantastical elements in your work?

Luc: I try to put into perspective what my nature guides me to do in this regard, in the search for understanding life. I believe that by revealing the shadows, we can bring light. This is in line with the proposal of gothic art itself... And the ethereal and the fantastic are also part of it.

Carpazine: Your art often features intricate details and symbolism. Can you share examples of symbols or motifs that are especially meaningful to you?

Luc: It's a good question because sometimes they are intentional, but sometimes I only perceive the symbolic patterns after a while, after several works are finished. I've noticed that, whether directly or subtly, intentionally or unintentionally, the symbol of the door, gate, passage is frequent. I've also noticed elements like castles and cathedrals, skulls, trees, flowers, birds, the female figure, and the mists of ethereal environments. I believe that, simplifying a general interpretation a lot, it's a search for transformation and transcendence. But the symbols, like the works, are not closed and allow for various readings.

Carpazine: What do you hope viewers will experience or feel when encountering your art?

Luc: The experience is different for each person, and this experience is free and varied. But I try to favor a connection with the soul and feelings, at the same time as with the senses. And gradually, I have sought to enable the impression of the sublime and transcendence.

Carpazine: How has your style and approach evolved over time, especially in terms of incorporating gothic influences?

Luc: They have evolved with conceptual transformation and learning of techniques, with which I have resumed this darker aesthetic that I have always loved. Some things from the first phase were kept, like feeling, symbolism, and the presence of nature, but I have been incorporating another approach and subjects. Additionally, although the planet has never been a wonderful paradise, in recent years the world and Brazil (my country of origin and where I live) have gone through very dark times, and this is reflected in my art.

Carpazine: Are there specific myths, legends, or stories that inspire your work? If so, how do you reinterpret them in your art?

Luc: I imagine my craft as that of Orpheus, who with his art is determined to descend into the depths of the underworld (the Unconscious) to recover his wife (which for me represents the anima, the soul, the art). I also appreciate the shadowy figure of the vampire, with its vices, qualities, drama, and redemption.

Carpazine: How do you see your art fitting into the broader context of contemporary art and the art world today?

Luc: I confess this is a difficulty for me. I started self-taught, and because I didn't attend an art college, my path lacked conceptual learning, the language of the art medium, and connections in the art world, so there is a difficulty in getting into spaces and projects geared towards this. My path so far, for the most part, has been to undertake autonomously, promoting and selling via the Internet, and some exhibitions. I think my work has a lot to develop in concept and cohesion, and that I must learn how to get more into this game. I believe, however, that around the world there are possibilities for learning and niches to which my work may be consonant. And that my work has the potential to progress to a greater artistic maturity and a more fruitful dialogue with the art world.

Carpazine: What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are interested in exploring gothic art in their own work?

Luc: I'm also learning... But I would say, first of all, you need to have a keen eye for the shadows – of yourself and the world. And secondly, study, research, know, absorb works of this style.

Carpazine: Can you share future projects or exhibitions where viewers can experience your art?

Luc: Currently, I am dedicated to the series with a vampire theme. If there are enough works, an exhibition will be possible. But in the meantime, you can follow my work on the Internet.

Carpazine: Anything else you would like to add?

Luc: Once again, thank you for the invitation and the space, it's something special to me. I admire Carpazine magazine very much and think it's a beautiful and important initiative. For those who wish to know my work, I leave the links below. To purchase my works (finished works or commissions) or other proposals, feel free to contact me, I ship nationally or internationally.

Thank you!

Site: https://lucventurimart.wixsite.com/arts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucventurim.art

Email: lucventurim.art@gmail.com