The Learning Zone

LZ: Can you tell us a bit about yourself (program, year, etc.) and the art you create?

MB: My name is Mike Badour and I am originally from Peterbourgh. My major is drawing and painting and I am doing a minor in digital media. I am in my second year at OCAD.

And what about the art you create?

Oh that’s a big one, I do large format graphite drawings, acrylic paintings, installation art, electronics and interactive based works.

What influenced your decision to major in drawing and painting?

That is a hard one. It is easy to say that I have always done drawing and painting but I also feel like it’s one of the more challenging disciplines given its history. I am up for the challenge.

How long have you been interested in art? How long have you known that this is something that you want to pursue as a career?

Since I realized I was a better drawer than everyone else in grade 1.

Where does your inspiration come from? What are you really into right now?

I suppose I am interested in the picture plane and how the audience interacts with it. I give this particular interest about a year.

What is your working style?

If I come up with an idea and I’m still thinking about it 2 weeks later than I know it is a good one and I’ll make it.

What are your favourite tools to work with (brushes, paint, software, etc.)?

My 2 top favourites would be an HB graphite pencil and a laptop.

What is it that excites you most about the material you work with? Is there another medium you would like to work in?

The limitlessness of it, I have so many disciplines so it is hard to be limited. I want to work with watercolour.

Do you set goals for yourself?

Not setting a limit. If I come up with an idea and I don’t know how to execute it I will find the means to do so. I don’t limit myself to my current knowledge. My goal is to not say that it is not possible.

How do you promote yourself?

The Internet, I have a website mikebadour.wordpress.com.

What advice would you give people considering enrolling at OCAD?

If you don’t already create everyday don’t bother going because it is not going to give you passion.

Do you have any advice for first year students?

Take the class that intimidates you most because you will learn the most in it.

What are the most useful skills you have learned at OCAD?

Metal shop and figuring out mechanics. I have also learned how to talk to about my work.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Alice Coltrane and the new Toro Y Moi.

What do you do to relax?

Afterschool beer with friends.

What are 3 likes and 3 dislikes of yours?

Likes: sheppards pie, bike riding and nice paper

Dislikes: Hawaiian pizza, cat pee and landlords

What is your favourite place to eat around OCAD?

Burger king on Wednesdays.

What upcoming projects can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?

Interactive gradient paintings.

What is your favourite thing about studying in Toronto?

Nothing, it’s the most expensive place to live in Canada.

What are your plans when you graduate?

I might rent out a cottage in the winter months to do work and then go do my masters.

What is your dream job?

Building spaceships.

Is there anything else you want to share with us, any final thoughts?

If you don’t know about craigslist, that shit blew my mind when I moved to Toronto.

I got so much cool shit:

3 apartments

A ginger tabby cat

A Fender bass amp

A job at Medieval Times

A job at the CN Tower

An illustration job

2 roommates

A Casio keyboard

A bike

And I am sure there will be many, many more. You won’t regret it.

Check out some of Mike’s work: