Interview with Labrona

Hi, Can you introduce yourself for us? (Where you from etc...)

Hi, I'm an artist that goes by the moniker Labrona. I'm from the mostly French speaking province of Quebec, i live in Montreal, Canada.

I'm known for doing characters on freight trains that travel allover the continent of North America.


Picture above: with Other - 2002

What's your background? Art school? Self learner? Art for Dummies?

I've got a bachelor of fine arts. i started painting trains with my friend other at the same time that i started school.

so i got two educations at once. one in the class room and one in the train yard.

i definitely learned more painting with Other, He is such an incredible artist.


Picture above: Sept 1101 and 2002

How will you describe your art for somebody who doesn't know your stuff?

I'm not to good at describing my work, my paintings are my language.

I guess they have a modern liturgical feel, but, I'm not religious.

I just really like the intenisty of those old religious paintings so they've influenced my work a lot.

they are a search for meaning, a way to try and make sense of this crazy world.


Picture above: Painting 2005

What are your favourite materials to work with?

In the studio I work mostly with acrylics, outside spray paint and oil sticks..

i also do silk screens, lynol cuts, and take photos.



How long does it take you to produce a piece? Do you start out with a sketchbook or do you freehand all the way?

these days when i do trains and street stuff i don't use a sketch i just freestyle. I come up with an idea on the walk to the spot.

lately i've just been doing one big character rather than more complex compositions. At home i work from sketches, usually i sketch right on the canvas and change stuff as i go. On trains and the street a piece takes me less than an hour, inside it some times takes a few weeks.


Picture above: with Other - 2009

Where do you get your inspiration from?

i dont know there is so much to be inspired by, I read lots, music, the news, travel, friends the world.


Picture above: with Gawd

Do you paint/draw/work outside sometimes? Where can we see your stuff?

Yes, you can see my work at various trains yards and on the tracks through out north America and on the streets of montreal.


Picture above: Berlin 2007 with Prudukt and Other

Who influence you the most, any favourite artist(s)?

my father is an artist, so he was my first and greatest influence, as i kid i was in to comics like mad magazine, tintin, asterix, super hero stuff, 80ies/early90ies skateboard graphics. later on i was influenced by my graffiti friends and just checking out as much art as i could at the school library.


Picture above: 10 fb follow the dogs

Living as an artist is sometimes difficult financially, any part time job?

yeah it can be hard, i know how to live cheap and make money last.

i work odd jobs when things get tough, i do a bit of construction, house painting stuff like that.


Picture above: with Prisin 2009

What do you think of the current "Street Art" movement?

its really grown and become main stream. its good for selling work getting shows and all that but i like it better when it was more underground. i dont think society will ever really accept illegal art so we will always be on the margins.

Best Gallery in the world? and why?

the north American rail road system, I'm showing in every major American city right now.


Picture above: with Gawd

Best City to paint outside? and why?

Berlin. its a giant outdoor art gallery and anywhere with a nice line of trains.


Picture above: Train 2009

Beer and Fag or Tea and Biscuit?

I'm Canadian so I'll say a nice quart of beer.


Picture above: With Gawd London 2008

What are your plans in the near future? Any upcoming exhibitions?

I'm currently working for an up coming show at the Neurotitan gallery in berlin. Its called as if by magic at opens February 12th.

I've also got a few pieces at Signal gallery in London for the Mixed Signals show.

check out Campbarbossa, Show and Tell gallery and Carmichael gallery if your interested in purchasing some work.