SUMMER2016
MOUNTAINLIFE
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them, ‘if you weren’t here right now, where
would you be?’ Eventually, I realized I had to ask
myself the same question.”
And the answer was Whistler, a place where
one of his mantras, “If you have a dream, live
it,” isn’t perceived as just a lofty expression.
Kups moved to the mountains in 2010 and
found a tribe of rebellious humans with their
own deep fervor for life and a shared yearning
to never succumb to the rat race.
However, during a short stint as a 100 per cent
commercial artist, Kups found he was neither
living off his work, nor fulfilling his passion. “I
lost touch with my creative side, which is what
I loved the most about painting, and found
myself taking on any commission I could get.
One day, I overheard someone describing me
as a commercial artist and photocopy machine;
two great disciplines, but I wanted to create.”
While working with the Zero Ceiling Foundation
– an adventure-based, non-profit for at-risk
youth – Kups began to settle in. Focusing on
art less allowed him to attract commission jobs
where he retained total creative freedom.
Adopting the image of a pineapple as a
metaphor for good vibes, Kups has beautified
public concrete walls in the local skate park,
on bridges, electrical boxes, and in businesses.
With spray cans in hand, he spends much of
his time upgrading the slow and depressing
energy of plain grey concrete with vibrantly
uplifting colours and compositions.
In his spare time, Kups gives speeches to kids
on topics such as body image and following
their dreams. His canvas art is a staple at
Whistler art shows and he’s sold commercial
and private commissions around the globe. He
also won $25,000 in a nationally recognized
art contest and was a TV contestant on a CBC
art battle show. He also leads local elementary
school kids on tours aroundWhistler to help
them discover the value of public art.
Why write a thesis paper when you can live it?
Kups paints for the people.
