Ottawa’s first Art Battle of the year paints success

By David Monk

Travis Doubt sits quietly backstage frantically scribbling down possible visuals on his small brown notepad.

He is next to five other artists who, like himself, are patiently waiting for their round to begin and for them to step out, roll up their sleeves and paint in front of another sold out local crowd.

Doubt was one of the 12 local artists participating in Ottawa’s first Art Battle of the year, held at Vimy Brewing Company in Little Italy on Jan. 23. Art Battle is a nationwide competitive painting event that gathers local artists from around the city to compete, network and ultimately gain prized local exposure.

“It’s a great opportunity to get seen. It’s an opportunity to get out there and meet the artists and the crowd,” said Doubt.

Doubt, who has been participating in Ottawa’s Art Battles for three years now, has gotten used to its uniquely competitive environment.

Artists are given just 20 minutes per round to produce their best piece of work. There are two rounds of six painters and one final round, with each artist producing a different canvas per round.  The competitive nature of the competition, according to Doubt, really adds on the pressure, making it quite the challenge to sign up.

“There is a common hesitation with a lot of artists. I think some of them are ready, but I also think there is a common hesitation with thinking, well that’s not the way I paint,” said Doubt.

The six artists competing in the round clutched their pallets as the event started and canvases quickly became coated with whatever came to their minds.

While hundreds of spectators looked on, first time participant Natalie Mears seemed unbothered, despite admitting she was battling the very hesitation Doubt spoke of earlier.

“I never actually expected to be one of the painters at the event,” said Mears.

Mears began painting an acrylic floating landscape backed by wilderness, wolves and birds flying in the distance. Her art drew the attention of many in the crowd and both pieces she produced were sold later in the evening at auction.

Mears finished in what she described as “a very close second” and was overjoyed with the outcome of the competition. She praised the event’s ability to attract younger generations to Ottawa’s art community.

“For me personally, art tends to be something that’s just starting to come through in newer generations. When you have an event like this that modernizes the approach to art, it definitely sparks that interest, which is huge,” said Mears.

Centretown resident and event organizer Peter Purdy said the fact that no prior experience is required is one of the main reasons the event is generating so much attention.

“It’s spreading like wildfire. From major cities now into smaller cities, we definitely have representation right across the country,” Purdy said.

Purdy, who was once a participant, said he stumbled across an event years ago and was drawn into it almost immediately. For him, Art Battle’s inclusive nature is what makes these events unique and beneficial for local artists.

“If you’re that guy painting in your basement or in your dorm room and you have a ton of talent and nobody has had a chance to see it yet, that is what Art Battle is great for.”

“Art Battle instantly injects you into the scene,” he added.

The next Art Battle takes place at Arts Court, on Daly Avenue near the Rideau Centre, on Feb. 20.