We were lucky to catch up with Callen Schaub recently and have shared our conversation below.

Callen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

As an artist or creative, happiness for me is not a fixed goal but a byproduct of my environment and mentality. It intertwines with my disciplined attitude. While I embrace positivity and happiness in my persona and brand, I avoid toxic positivity because life has ups and downs. Being honest about our emotions and experiences is vital.

Through color, I express the full range of human emotions, making it integral to my creative path. Sharing my passion online allows for transparency and honesty. Art is a comprehensive experience encompassing all emotions. Feeling down is as important as feeling up, offering perspective and appreciation. I encourage open conversations and embracing our true feelings. Art provides an outlet to express those emotions. It plays a significant role in my pursuit of happiness.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Callen Schaub is an abstract artist based in Montreal, Canada. He is recognized for his vibrant paintings using trapezes, pendulums, and spinning machines. Schaub openly shares his painting process with viewers and inspires fans everywhere to participate in his “Fake Art” movement. With paintings hanging in collections across the globe, Callen continues to make the world a more colorful place, one artwork at a time.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I am passionate about making the world more colorful, but it goes beyond aesthetics. I believe in promoting a deeper understanding and compassion within others (creatives and non-creatives alike). Throughout my experiences gaining recognition on the internet, I’ve encountered both positivity and negativity.

Addressing the negativity became an integral part of my artistic identity, giving birth to a movement I call the “Fake Art Movement.” Having a large social audience – with some social posts garnering up to 100 million views on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram – comes with a responsibility to be a role on model how respond to online comments and negativity.

Often, when people engage in hate or trolling, they are projecting their own insecurities, doubts, or fears. Recognizing this, I confront negativity head-on and respond with empathy and compassion.

When I share my vibrant artwork intended to uplift and inspire others, and receive negative or hateful comments, I understand that it is often a reflection of the pain and insecurity within that person.

Through my art, I advocate against cyberbullying. I literally and symbolically paint over negative comments – printing an enlarged screenshot of the negative comment on canvas and then layer paint on top.

This gesture signifies our refusal to let negativity overshadow our creativity. Moreover, I believe that open conversation is crucial in addressing and dismantling hatred, fear, and pain. It is essential to talk about these issues rather than ignoring them.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

My personal journey with art has been transformative and healing. Art has become a vital tool for coping and finding purpose in my life. Now that I have a platform, I’m committed to sharing the therapeutic aspects of color and art with the world. Even abstract art requires training in traditional art. Improving, modifying, and exploring my skill is ultimately the thing that allows my artwork to touch peoples hearts, which for me, may be a lifelong journey.

I often encounter skeptics who claim that anyone can create art. Instead of viewing this as a negative comment, I embrace it positively. I believe that anyone can engage in art, and I encourage them to do so. My approach is rooted in positivity with a desire to bring inspiration into the world through the language of color.

Contact Info:

• Website: callenschaub.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callenschaub/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callenschaubart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callenschaub/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/callen_schaub?s=21
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmH4SpY3ew1HSg2I-AWau7Q?app=desktop
• Other: https://callenschaubgallery.com/

Image Credits
Franklin Lou Spencer Robertson Patrick Seemann-Ricard Mike Anderson