Tom Havlasek is a member of the younger artist generation who is fascinated by Formula 1 and other racing cars in his artistical work.
Tell me a little bit about of your background.
I´m from Brno, Czech Republic and I live very close to well-known Brno Circuit. As a child I was there with my father nearly every free weekend. I loved the atmosphere of motorsport races and of course I´m still love with it. F1 is my passion since my childhood. When I was a kid I was many times at the Hungarian Grand Prix on the Hungaroring. I was there in 1991-92-93. I remember very well the first feeling of the loud strident engine sound. One of my painting's title is "Ayrton Senna Hungary 1991".
Who were your heroes and why? Do you have a special affection to a certain team?
I try to be independent. I love motorsport generally. The drivers: I think all of them must be very good and I admire them all. But still, there were some favourite for sure. First Senna because of his thinking and opinions, like „pure driving, pure racing, no politics…” And I remember Jacques Villeneuve who was a hero as well, because he was kind of rebel and Formula 1 was kind of show for him.
How did it begin with your artistical education?
I graduated from a secondary school with specialization on computer graphic design. But already during my studies I preferred hand craft more and more. At that time I started to present my art works. It was mostly street art paintings or legal graffities painted by spray colors. But as time went on I began become fond of using canvas and waterbased colors because I was simply looking for something more than streetpaintings. Last year I painted only with acrylic colors and my favourit canvas size is 95 x
Can you describe the procedure of your method from the beginning of having the idea?
My philosophy is quite clear. Find an interesting photo or the best way is to take a photo of by myself. Then I choose the best part of the photo and I create the right composition on computer. And then I transfer the motive on the canvas. Usually I paint dirty and not much clear style. I like splashes, drops and blurs everywhere. No clear shades and no fully detailed work anywhere. It could be said that I try to connect abstract and concrete together. But the topic must be always clear and immediately recognizable what´s going on.
Do you know other artists who paint F1 or motorracing, like Michael Turner? How is the market on this field?
Yes, I know some of them, not personaly, some of them are my friends via internet and we are in contact. I think in the world of art almost everybody are nice and friedly people. There are many thousands of motorsport fans around the world, who are interested in our work.
You paint not only F1 but other racing categories or even road cars. How is it?
You are right, my favorite topic is F1 but also Le Mans and other endurace races. Most of all I like the 70s and 80s. For me this was the "golden era" of motorsport. I must say, I´m quite a big fan of Porsche cars. It means I really enjoy to paint all these Gulf 917 or different modifications of 911, but of course sometimes I paint present cars as well. Usually it is a wish of my fans.
Do you have chance to visit Grand Prix or Le Mans to get some fresh impression? Or you do the paintings mainly after photos and imagination?
Every year I visit some event for taking photos. I was at Le Mans Series in Hungary and on the Nürburgring a few year ago, also at the 24 hours of Nürburgring, WTCC at Slovakiaring and of course all races on Brno Circuit. This year I would like to visit Monaco in May, there will be Classic F1 Grand Prix. Maybe Le Mans as well.
What about your current works and plans for the future?
Now I am working quite a lot since I must finish a series of paintings for an exhibition on the Classic Show
