Steve Spazuk | Soot Paintings | Montréal (CAN) | By Lee Fleming

French-Canadian artist Steve Spazuk has spent the past 14 years perfecting a technique known as fumage, a unique way of painting that uses the flame of a candle as a pencil to create paintings with trails of soot. Once a conventional painter, Spazuk discarded the traditional paintbrush or pencil and began experimenting with fire following a dream in April 2001. Spazuk’s first attempt of drawing with fire unfortunately ended in flames but after many experiments, he discovered that cardboard paper was best suited to the medium and that the soot from the candle’s flame could be etched with pencils and feathers to create unusual artwork.

Spazuk’s original soot painting process involves firstly holding a piece of paper overhead while using a candle to create tails of soot underneath the matter. Following this he sculpts the plumes of soot using various tools. What is fascinating about Spazuk’s work is the element of spontaneity and improvisation involved; he openly admits he doesn’t know what he intends to paint and instead explores the patterns and shapes found in the soot to guide his artwork.

Spazuk’s artwork has been exhibited around the world and includes his acclaimed fragmented 272-piece portraits, bird series and Ornithocides that feature live and dead birds juxtaposed with various manmade devices designed to kill. The Ornithocides series is a reaction to the heavy use of pesticides in North America and the poisoning of insect-eating birds. This short film, directed by Montréal-based filmmaker Patrick Peris, offers an insight into Spazuk’s art form and his creative space.

To view more of Spazuk’s soot paintings visit his website. Videao via Ignant.