Freelance Visual Artist Ralarno Coutts looks at broadening his knowledge in the art spectrum.
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The local from Ennerdale has a degree in Visual Arts from the University of Johannesburg and graduated almost two years ago.
Coutts shared that he started drawing at the age of nine. “As a child I use to draw from Free4All newspapers. I enjoyed seeing those images so I had this little book where I would try and mimic the drawings. I started getting better and I could draw Ben10, that was so cool at the time. I can say that I became more passionate about art when I got to High School and in Grade 10, we had visual arts as a subject. My art teacher inspired me to continue in the art industry,” said Coutts.
The visual artist started showcasing his work at Maboneng Precinct and another art place in Eloff Street. He shared that it always excites him to be around people in the art industry and that is why he goes to spaces for creatives.
While Coutts was showcasing his art, he got to meet Dbongz Mahlathi, a well-known street artist and has since then worked on a few projects with him. Coutts added that it was Mahlathi who introduced him to street art and creating large scale murals. When it comes to one of his most memorable projects that he was part of it was when he had to sketch on a 6-storey building which took two months to complete.
“Finding clients is really tough. Earning money in our industry is the hardest thing. When I started out, I didn’t mind starting off as an assistant,” said Coutts.
He later went on to doing street art for the Grahamstown National Arts Festival as well.
“The major difference between fine art and street art is that fine art is usually showcased in a gallery where people will come see your work in a more professional and fancy setting but with street art, it is for everyone to see. I can be a street artist and no one will know me but they will only know my work,” he added.
The artist specialises in painting, drawing, print making and spray painting but would like to broaden his knowledge in the art industry and therefore, the next three years will be studying animation.
If he could tell his 18-year-old self something, he said that it would be to follow his dreams and to remember his worth. “Do not worry about what other people think. Don’t doubt yourself, if you happen to fail, pick yourself up and just learn from it. While you are at it, do not forget to have fun,” concluded Coutts.
If you would like to follow the artist’s work and journey, you can follow him on Instagram: @dolf.13
Fantianted with faceless characters because anyone can put themselves in that character’s shoes.
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