Dewy Elsinga a.k.a Butterfingaz
Artist, Amsterdam
All photos: Tirza Ahleekah
Hi Dewy! How are you and what are you up to today?
Heyyyy! I´m doing very good! Today I´m working on a long-term schedule to meet my upcoming deadlines in time.
Tell us a little bit about your self – where are you based, and what do you do for a living?
My name is Dewy Elsinga, I am 29 years old and born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. After graduating art school in 2017 I´ve been working as a freelance artist & illustrator under the name Butterfingaz. I´m sharing my studio with three other artists on the northside of Amsterdam.
What does a regular workday or workweek look like for you?
My ideal workweek schedule-wise would be working from Monday till Friday, office hours. Unfortunately my creativity doesn’t work that way (although I know it does for some other creatives) – it’s mostly at its high in the evening, so usually I arrive in the studio around noon and leave in the evening. Half of my work is project based, so during some periods of time I’m really busy. When I don’t have bigger projects on my hands, I try to work on my free work / autonomous paintings.
When did you know you wanted to do art and why?
I don’t think it was ever a conscious choice: I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child. Everything else that crossed my path didn’t work out and I like to believe it’s because I was meant to create.
What inspires you in your art?
Daily moments, interactions, stills, life in general. I’ve been filming little snapshots of daily moments as a personal inspiration for about two years now. There are different things that intrigue me about those moments: for example an interesting composition or the actual situation that’s happening. I also like the simplicity of these little moments – nowadays we can get so caught up in our phones or in big moments that we forget the power of daily life.
Style wise I’m inspired by the colors of op-art and 80s funk culture.
What is the best thing about Amsterdam?
Ooof. I love Amsterdam for its diversity, it taught me everything about living with different cultures. I like the size of the city: it’s big enough to walk around anonymously, but small enough to bike from one side to the other. It’s considered an international capital, but the people are still very accessible. I like the so called “paradise birds”, the people that dare to be themselves. I guess it´s just a combination of different elements that make Amsterdam so unique and easy to love.
Any new, exciting projects coming up?
Yes! I have four (!) super exciting bucketlist projects coming up in the upcoming half year – unfortunately I can´t reveal them yet, but I feel extremely happy and thankful! Next to that, there are two groups exhibitions in which I´m joining at this very moment: L.O.B.I. Arcade with my studio mates Hedy Tjin & Brian Elstak at OSCAM, and one in the Royal Palace at the Dam Square. If you´re in Amsterdam, go peep!
What is your favorite Henry Rude piece from the 2021 collection, and why?
Suits suits suits!!! I love the River & Stripe suits. The colors are beautiful, and suits, especially worn by women, always give me these boss ass vibes.
What song are you currently playing on repeat:
Can´t really name one song, but lately I’ve been in a rock phase again so I’ve been listening to a lot of Nirvana, RHCP, Jimi etc. When I work I like to listen to Lofi- and Deep house.
Check out Dewy’s work:
Web: https://butterfingaz.format.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/butterfingaz