Andrei grew up in Bucharest Romania with his mother after the divorce of his parents when he was 5 years old. The other 2 brothers lived with him and his mother a few years later. He got a sister at 13. Since a child he loved colors and pencils. Not having the suport of his family he made his art during school in the class hours, being thrown outside especially by the chemestry teacher. Also, he spent the nights drawing to fullfill his dreams to become an artist. Because art school was not an option, he made a math highschool and spent his money on pens and papers instead buying foos at school. At that time drawing and writing poems were the first of all his passions and in the end, even after discovering other skills he kept those two as the most important ways of expresion. All the roadblocks he got during most of his life, ambitioned him to go further and get better and better.
School background
Andrei got a degree in Fine Arts at the "National University of Fine Arts " in Bucharest [2010]. He chose graphics because he considered the a good painting needs a good drawing/sketch. As complementary optional subjects, pottery technique and stained glass technique enriched his experience. The most important personal achievement during school was learning the engraving technique under the teachings of Florin Stoiciu.
Inspiration
Nature. Human nature.
Key dates
1983 Born in Bucharest, Romania. 1995 Drawing the first portrait. 1998 Forming a dance crew and performing on proms [break dance], starting to draw tattoo models. 1999 Having the drawings book stolen, there were three choices. Make them again, quit.. or do something better. That was the moment everything changed. 2001 After graduating the high school Andrei Pavel joins the "AAP" [Artists Asociation] with a drawing [pointilism] made in less than 24 hours and a book of drawings, mostly tattoos. Attempting to enter the Art University but high costs and requirements made him go for other studies. 2002 First exhibition of drawings. 2003 Political studies started, first commissioned tattoos. 2004 First songs, first "serious poems. 2005 First book published [poetry] published. 2006 First professional photos. Second book published. First role as an actor in short films. First projects with body painting across the country. 2007 This was the year of major changes. First paintings on canvas, airbrush work started. Andrei quit the political studies on the last year to go for art school. First fractals. Gets married. Discovering engraving techniques and making the first sculptures. 2008 Producer on an art TV show presenting romanian artists and major art events. Also starts a set of interviews with varied artists all over the world. 2009 Ending the activity as a producer, gets a divorce and starting all over. Creates a group called Refractals in his wish to get digital art closer to traditional techniques. Composing piano themes as music for poems made audio book. Making the first handmade fractal with the airbrush. Having the last public exhibition. 2010 Getting the degree in Fine Arts and making the first etchings with fractals, handmade on metal plates and stone. After a 3 years spent with school, homeworks and night jobs, starts painting again. First painting sold outside the country. 2011 Chosen as the first artist for Absolut Blank live event in Romania. Leaves Bucharest, publishes 2 more books.