Felix Koshy is a local artist with studio space at Marnie Stone's Queen Street gallery, Art Hub at Spring.
Originally from India, Koshy had spent time in Saudi Arabia working in the energy sector and later returned home to try his hand at farming.
He now finds himself here in the Soo – once again working in the energy sector, this time at Tenaris as a crane operator.
Through all the changes in his life, one thing has remained a constant: his love of art.
Koshy described his early childhood, which was when he began creating mixed-media art pieces.
"When I was a child, my parents didn't support me, we were coming from (a time of) struggle," Koshy explained.
"I always grabbed things in the street, unique things, and collected them in my room. Under my bed," he said with a laugh.
"Mostly, I would make them into animals."
It is a practice that he continues to this day.
Although most are immediately recognizable, some of Koshy's work requires more thorough examination.
"If they recognize it, I've succeeded," Koshy said.
It's all about finding a balance for Koshy, who never intends to change the shape of the object he's working with – only to modify it.
"I don't want to destroy the shape of the real object. Bit by bit, I will do the changes, adding wire, bending . . ."
Koshy makes connections with the shapes of his found objects, and his modifications serve to enhance what's already there.
"Every heart of an artist has a connection to his culture," Koshy said when asked about his inspirations.
His studio walls are a story told in watercolour, depicting places he's visited and things he's seen.
"India is a huge place with many different cultures from province to province," Koshy said.
"The festivals and costumes, customs and practices are all different."
And there's something that continues to inspire him, living here in the Sault.
"The city really promotes the different communities and cultures here . . . It's something I'm happy to experience."
Like many artist, Koshy dreams of one day making art a full-time career.
Koshy's advice for aspiring artists is that they should follow their dreams.
"Don't lose your passion," Koshy said.
"We need a profession (day job) to fund our passion. Everything is so expensive, I cannot buy new material from my art sales but I need to keep my passion.
"It's what heals my mind and soul. Some people are so lucky to have made their passion their profession. Those are the happiest people," he said.
Koshy's art was profiled on SooToday in March.
