3hmdSb

y: Nicole Seck
purple. My memory won’t verify.
But as a child, communicating
with my hands, creating things
was my second nature. One of
my favourite things to do when
I came to Canada in grade school
was melt pieces of brightly-toned
plasticine together on the heating
grill, because I liked the way the
colours looked blended. And the
exploration continued onwards,
with sketching, and in high school,
painting.
audience with my own vision is also
challenging. As much as I would like
others to appreciate what I do, when
setting out to create, there needs to
be distance between the expectations
and requirements of others looking in.
What is your signature style as
it pertains to your art? In other
words, what makes your artwork
distinguishable from that of others?
Most of my recent works are using
mixed media. I also use animal motifs
it takes. It frees others looking on or
provokes more out of them. That’s
why spoken word moves me so much.
These artists bare their hearts, their
blemishes on stage, proudly. As an
incredible woman I knew once said,
“we suffer to inspire.” My Jamaican
heritage grounds me. My connection to
the ocean is a significant inspiration for
my work, which is expressed through
Art of Ciel.
Which artists, living or deceased,
inspire you?
“I believe that unapologetic self-expression is paramount.
It’s healing to create something, whatever form it takes.
It frees others looking on or provokes more out of them.”
BOSS MAGAZINE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
of Fall 2013, she does not yet have the
freedom to do what she wants, given
the confinements of student life (which
I am certain many of us can relate).
Although many would perceive it to
be a great achievement, having her
striking art commissioned for display
by a bed-and-breakfast in Jamaica
falls short of Camille’s many visions for
herself as an artist. Camille believes
that achievement to be peanuts as far
as accomplishments go, as she intends
to take her art career to soaring heights
while holding on to becoming an art
therapist as a career goal, which is near
and dear to her heart.
Camille is a true visionary who praises
her teachers for having passionately
encouraged her to pursue art at St.
Augustine’s Catholic Secondary School
located in Brampton, Ontario. In the
same manner that her former teachers
saw something exceptional in her,
Camille would like the world to know
that they too have something special.
Most poignantly, Camille expresses: “it only
takes yourself to realize how masterful
you are; you do not need anyone else to
validate you.” To that I say, ditto.
“Art is....” Complete the sentence.
Vulnerability on display. Art is emotion
dripped on canvas. Sensations are
temporary, but paint makes the
moment eternal and shareable. Art
spills out from our lives in so many
ways.
When did you first discover that you
were an artist?
One of my fondest memories as a child
was winning my first colouring contest
while I lived in Bonaire. I was four years
old, it was a Dalmatians theme and I
must have coloured the dogs beige and
Describe the thought process
immediately prior to the creation
of your masterpieces.
“This needs to get out, NOW.”
Often, when I hit the canvas,
surface the fabric it’s after the idea
has been brewing in my mind for
quite some time. After scribbling
the concept in my sketchbook,
it takes time to simmer. And
when it comes out, it’s a burst of
energy that ideally comes out in
one setting. That’s why I gravitate
towards live painting so much. It’s
pressure, yes. But within that time
period, I know that what is roaring
around inside will get a chance
to come out, pour forth at high
velocity. I will be cleansed at the
speed that I create. Colour therapy
is truly what it is to me.
What are some challenges you face
as an artist?
Primarily, carving out the time to paint,
and guarding it with my life. It’s easy to
be caught up in unrelated projects, highpriority
to-dos and goals and neglect
your true love. But when I do let myself
start, hours tick away on a different
clock. Time moves FAST. Painting has
an undeniable call to me, and my soul
craves the act of creating as much as
the canvas needs the artists hand to be.
Balancing the demands of the
and urban scenes and curvy looping
lines for natural hair. In my “Brown
Sugar Steaming” painting I used shells,
sugar, salt, dried flowers, acrylic paint,
leaves I collected in Jamaica and
Florida. In other pieces I use feathers,
stitched fabric, spray paint, India ink
and sand. One of the pieces that has
garnered a lot of appreciation is this
piece called, “NaturalistaGLAM.” I
painted it on a metallic fabric, though
people tend to think is sheet metal
and are always so surprised when they
touch it and feel this softness under
their fingertips. It depicts one of my
favourite singers: Elle Varner.
What, if anything, do you believe
defines you as an artist?
I created a live piece at an art
competition called “OUTKAST” of a
wild black sheep. The black sheep I
painted represents that individual who
is underestimated, who doesn’t have
any distinctly visible advantages that
will help them to “make it.” But it has
a chance and the thing that makes
it stand out can actually become a
strength that leads it to the realization
of its dreams. This black sheep has the
vivacity, the persistence, the necessary
confidence to pull through. I see my
story wrapped up in this black sheep.
I believe that unapologetic selfexpression
is paramount. It’s healing
to create something, whatever form
I’m actually most inspired by musicians.
Music is my sustenance, I replenish
often and drink it in while I create.
Jessie Boykins III, Frank Ocean, J. Cole,
Tegan and Sara, Kendrick Lamar, Talib
Kweli, Elle Varner, Janelle Monae, to
name a few. Powerful, transformative,
optimistic, pure, honest. Worlds are
created through the portals of the
ear, with the golden medium of sound.
When you can hear that persistent
passion in their voice, that underdog
dream, that drive to make it, it’s so
motivating for me to continue pursuing
my dreams with fervour. How could I
give any less?
Camille is one of two
Creative Directors
and Curators for the
Spoke N’ Heard event,
the Emanate Gallery
Exhibit. Emanate took
place at the Arta Gallery
on August 7th, 2013
and featured her work
alongside those of 18
incredibly talented
creators. For more
information on this
exhibit, you can visit
www.spokenheard.ca
WINTER 2013 BOSS MAGAZINE
64
65