Interview with Kaunaz Art | “Dave (Mustaine) Saw My Painting And Wanted Me To Send It To Him”
By Eric “Core” Balbi
We are launching this new section, in which we will interview people who are closely involved with the metal scene, even though they are not musicians (or at least are not known for being in a band). We thought it would be best to start with this exclusive interview with Jésica, better known as Kaunaz Art, an artist who is passionate about both painting and metal. In this article, she tells us how she fuses her art (painting) with heavy metal, as well as sharing her experience with Dave Mustaine from Megadeth….
Where did your interest in painting come from and what were your first steps?
“Well, when I was very young, I spent my time drawing and coloring. My favorite gift was a suitcase full of colors, crayons, markers, and other art supplies. Let’s say that was my favorite means of expression. It became natural to me, but in this case, I must highlight the enthusiasm I felt during art class. I looked forward to it with great motivation. In elementary school, a blank sheet of paper and tempera paints were my world. Today, it’s a blank canvas and acrylic paints, which are the closest thing to that experience of absolute passion I used to have. In high school, I spent my time drawing during other classes. I couldn’t help it; that’s how I felt. I was even listening to metal music back then, haha! My old man draws and paints landscapes. He’s amazing and also self-taught. During the pandemic, for the first time in my adult life, I had time for myself. Due to the circumstances we were living in, many people stopped the activities they had been doing, and that’s when I started drawing and painting again after years and years of not doing so. I started at medieval fairs, thanks to friends who are descendants and invited me to join them. I have Celtic ancestors and was able to work outdoors at that time, which is also why I go by the name Kaunaz, my personal rune. My friends encouraged me when they saw what I was doing. They bought my first drawings and painted crafts. I started doing portraits and tributes. It was very profound! I said to myself, “How could I have been so far away from this for so long?” It’s like I came back to myself in my prime. Since then, I’ve been here. Today, it’s my job. I’m a self-taught artist.”
How did metal come into your life?
“The first thing that came into my life was actually rock, and you could say some metal too. It was through my old man. We would sit on the couches in the dining room at home, and he would make me listen carefully to the instruments and the composition. It was something I enjoyed with my dad, that and auto mechanics. My parents both danced to rock music, and I experienced that at barbecues and parties, but anyway, getting back to the musical part of the question, that was the foundation, with bands like Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Creedence, and Queen. More progressive bands too, like Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, and, well, national bands: Aeroblus, Pappo Blues, Aquelarre, Riff, El Reloj, among others! There were many influences! And when I was 12, at the beginning of high school, I added an even heavier sound, and yes, haha, I discovered Megadeth, the band that made me a thrash metal fan, and Pantera, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, which I loved, Dio, which blew my mind, I remember, and then Hermética, V8, Almafuerte, Rata Blanca, Horcas, and it’s like a one-way trip, it’s my way of life now, I’ll always listen to this, I told myself, and that’s how it was and how it is. In the most difficult moments of my life, with metal as my companion, I moved forward. It’s my engine and the mosh pits, pure therapy, the best catharsis!”
What is your method for working on your pieces?
“It’s difficult for me to describe a method, since I’m self-taught. I start by making pencil strokes on the canvas and that’s how I form the drawing. Sometimes I finish the drawing with paint and other times I first sketch the whole drawing and then paint it. I feel like it’s a combination that I’m achieving. I work with acrylics, which is a material that dries quickly and retains its color, so I’m usually sure of what I’m going to achieve once I start painting. I’m also anxious, so if it takes too long, I can’t move forward with my ideas and capture them by seeing the result in the moment. What I like most are portraits and working a lot on expression through light and shadow. I put a lot of emphasis on originality, on the touch, on the detail that makes it very personal and unique.”
Could you tell us the story behind the Dave Mustaine painting?
“How can I tell you about one of my dreams coming true! It was amazing! Well, it all started with a very innocent wish. I think that in my intention, I forgot about the impossible! Dave had had throat cancer and hadn’t been to Argentina for years. The band Mellowdeth had made a video during the pandemic in which all the Argentine fans participated, along with some fans from other Latin American countries, with the song “I’ll Be There,” to which Dave responded with great affection. When he recovered, the anticipation that he would announce a tour and come to the country was enormous! When I found out he was coming, I had a very close relative suffering from the same disease, cancer, and had recently finished treatment. I was devastated, exhausted, gathering strength to return to art because I had to suspend my work, orders, everything for a long time! When I saw that Megadeth was coming, I said, I have to make a painting for Dave and send it to him! I just thought that, haha, as if it were that easy, how naive! So I drew and painted it, listening to Megadeth, it couldn’t be any other way! Inspired, I also based it on how much he loves Argentina, so our flag couldn’t be missing! The days passed and the date when they were going to be here was approaching, they arrived and I was in a very bad financial situation, I couldn’t afford the ticket, that’s the truth. And so began the adventure of getting to him, which was very, very difficult. Days and days of figuring out how to do it, until something happened that you would think was crazy for you to experience, but it happened. Dave saw my painting and wanted me to send it to him. He said, “WOW!” That’s what they told me, and that he wanted it! I don’t know how to express this to you. I’m a worker with no connections to someone like Dave. My years in retail, the thousands of unfair hours and sacrificial trips were worth it when I received that message. I’m just a simple entrepreneur. To think that I didn’t even have enough money for the ticket and couldn’t get the meet and greet either because it was sold out, and even borrowing money didn’t help because it was too late. On April 14, I got a ticket, and through someone who asked me not to mention it, the play reached Dave. I couldn’t meet Dave in person, and of course I would have loved to, but this person told me, “I promise you’ll have photos,” and that’s when I received them on the train ride home! I couldn’t believe it! My idol had the play in his hands! I cried the whole way home, unable to believe it. Dave had also received some bad news about his sister’s health and wasn’t feeling well, but he smiled as seen in the photo. He’s a very authentic guy. I just wanted to give back to him for everything he has done with his music, to give him that work on behalf of not only myself but also his Argentine fans, and to make him proud, and that’s what he showed me! Add to that the fact that he brought a guitar with the national flag on it. I mean, it was magical and wonderful. What I do know is that he took the painting with him. I know that for sure, and I remain hopeful. Why not? To see it in a video, in some space dedicated to him, to Megadeth. Dave, in the cruelest and coolest moments of my history, but this time you went too far, Colo. GO MEGADETH!
What connection do you find between metal and painting?
“I think they’re already fused together in me. They’re my two passions, and through art I try to capture what a band or a musician makes me feel, what they represent as a being, as a group, what they represent to us who follow them, the message they want to convey. It’s something I adapt very fluidly because I love both forms of expression, musically speaking, and artistically as well when I draw. When I paint, you know that the brush has deeper or lighter strokes, it’s never the same, it has a lot to do with the pulse and the emotion, beyond the type of brush. Well, each artist makes me draw and paint, creating a particular work. In fact, I discovered that I really enjoy paying tribute. I listen to and watch interviews with artists and bands, their expressions that I portray, and if they are fans who ask me for a painting, I learn their stories so that I can connect with them, thus managing to convey through the work what they feel, the sense of belonging in its maximum splendor when we talk about Metal. Each work has a story or creates one! What I find as a connection is that metal conveys a message through its music, and I often add to that message through my paintings! I’m a big fan of the national rock and heavy metal bands that are growing and giving it their all, as well as the ones that have been around for a long time. When new and legendary bands from other countries come, I make paintings that have something Argentinean or with the colors of our country.”
You are an artist for Efecto Metal Magazine. What is it about?
“Efecto Metal” magazine supported me from the beginning with the first painting, Tribute to Ricardo IORIO, making it visible. Then came the ones that followed Iorio, as well as other works I did of other metal artists and bands. Imagine that, as an independent artist, I benefited greatly from this action because it opened doors for me to reach more people! It was the magazine that posted on its social media that the painting for Dave had reached Mustaine, which generated a flood of reactions on Facebook, more than 14,000 likes and shared comments. It was impressive! It gave value to my work and exposed it. I am a contributing artist to the magazine. We are brought together by metal, of course, and we share giveaways, posts, and concerts! I am very grateful to be part of this and to continue growing with their experience and their heavy metal audience that follows the magazine, of which I was a part as a reader and follower before I got to where I am now.”
What are your upcoming projects?
“The upcoming projects are exhibitions, some will be more focused on a particular artist and their career, others on my work in general to share with people. Also, a painting in person has details that videos or photos can’t fully capture! More paintings are coming, T-shirts with my work on them, and posters for everyone to enjoy! So I’m working hard on that to make sure it’s well organized!”
Any metal songs you want to recommend?
“Libre De Temor” by Almafuerte.
Do you want to leave a message to close the interview?
“Yes, I want to first leave a message of gratitude to the people who follow and support me, who are growing in number, for their messages of encouragement, respect, and affection. I get messages from all over the country and abroad, and reaching all of them is amazing! I also want to thank Del Otro Lado Metal for this interview, which allows me to talk about myself and Kaunaz Art. I feel successful because I get to do what I love and share it with others. It’s my job, and I strive every day to improve and create a good moment, a memory that moves us and raises our awareness. And to the many who have put, and still put, obstacles in my way, know that you have to be careful how you act, because everything in life comes back around! I choose to nourish myself with these experiences and continue drawing and painting my path.”
To get in touch with this sister of Metal and see her artwork, we recommend checking out her social media accounts below.
