An Interview with Artist Chris Chapheau (@yourturndontfall)

Visual artist and designer, Chris Louis Chapeau sits down with us to discuss all things art

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got your start as an artist?

I'm originally from Victoria BC and moved out to Toronto about 9 years ago. For about the first 4 years, I had no idea what I wanted to do and probably quit or was fired from about 6 jobs in that time. I had always wanted to start my own business so in 2015/2016, my business partner at the time and I, launched REVIV here in Canada. A global medical franchise that specializes in IV infusions. I owned and operated that for 5 years before stepping away from running operations two summers ago to become a silent partner. Again, I had no idea what I wanted to do next and then COVID hit. It was during the lockdown that I finally decided to take up painting, which had been something I had procrastinated doing for most of my adult life. I had no idea at the time it would grow into what it is in so short a time.

How did you come up with your artist name?

"YourTurnDontFall" was the first phrase I painted onto my very first painting. It just kind of popped into my head while I was working on the piece, so I threw it onto the canvas. It stuck in my head for weeks after, so I decided to make it my artist alias. After reflecting on it, I now realize the phrase "YourTurnDontFall" holds a more significant meaning to me - something was telling me that this is what I'm meant to do as it's finally my turn.

Was there a moment in time where you knew that this is what you wanted to do?

There wasn't a single moment - it was more a collection of moments every time I painted. I'm an adrenal thinker and I'm super high energy. I have a hard time doing nothing or sitting still. Painting and creating gives me an outlet for that pent up energy to be focused onto and into something - it's kind of my form of therapy. My work is very much an unfiltered reflection of my thoughts and perceptions.

What or who influences your artwork?

Whenever I'm painting, there's usually a number of inputs that are influencing my work on a micro level; what book I'm reading at that time, the music I'm listening to, or how I'm feeling at that moment. I want my pieces to say something, to have a voice and to take on heady subjects. If my pieces make someone uncomfortable or force them to reflect on their reaction to the piece, then I've achieved my goal. To this end, I draw inspiration from a lot of the more controversial artists in the post-graffiti/neo-expressionist movement.

Custom designed Pea Coat by Chris Chapeau

What is your biggest motivation?

To discover where this is taking me and to convey an authentic and unfiltered voice in the process. I've also been extremely fortunate to stumble into what I now know is what I'm meant to do in life. It's very self-motivating in that sense. 

How has COVID-19 affected your artwork and creative process?

It's provided me nearly unlimited time to create while also providing me a much needed emotional outlet, which I think we all need. To that end, anyone suffering psychologically during this time (which I think we all are in some capacity), please try something that allows you to create. Be really shitty at it - it doesn't matter - but I think now more than ever, we need outlets like the arts to help us cope.

What's next for Your Turn Don't Fall?

I was recently just signed by my first agent, Rupert Young Fine Arts, which is still a little bit surreal given how quickly this has all happened. So next steps are introducing my work to the wider art collector community, doing a few exhibitions of my work here in Toronto and Montreal (as soon as lockdown is over) and expanding my hand-painted biker jacket line as soon as possible!