painting
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How did you get into the industry?
My mother always had a passion for the arts. When I was young, she took me to many museums and exhibits. She always encouraged my artistic side! My mother enrolled me in art classes when I was fourteen and from that point on I knew I was interested in becoming a painter. Later on, I went to the University of Guadalajara to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I have been painting and showing my work ever since graduating.
Why did you get into the industry?
I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Painting is my passion and it is what makes me happy. I have worked in other industries but nothing has ever satisfied me as much as being an artist. It’s part of who I am and I feel incomplete when I am not painting. It feeds my soul and my heart and allows me to express my ideas and creativity. Pursuing my passion for painting is not an option for me, it is necessary for my survival.
Did anyone inspire you or do you have a mentor?
I am inspired by many surrealist painters. There are many amazing surrealists; however, I am most inspired by the works of Leonora Carrington. Two other painters who have influenced me are Remedios Varo and Stella Snead. The works of these artists and other Mexican painters have fascinated me over the years. Even though my beginning paintings were more abstract, they always incorporated some elements of a surrealistic nature. Over time, my paintings have evolved to take on a purely surrealistic form. This evolution has continued at a steady pace and is still occurring in my most recent works.
How long have you been doing this?
I started painting professionally after I finished my degree in 2002. My university studies gave me the foundation that I needed to pursue my painting on a professional basis. My first solo exhibition was in 2003 and it was a truly rewarding experience for me. It gave me the inspiration I needed to continually challenge myself. This exhibition inspired me to try different types of painting and it was after this time that I became interested in trying out new materials and techniques. Eventually, I began painting murals as well as on canvas. I have exhibited my work in many places over the years. My paintings have been shown in such places as the Art and Culture Forum of Guadalajara, the Fine Arts Museum of Guadalajara, Expo Guadalajara Dome, and the Modern Art Centre of Zapopan. My murals appear in different public spaces in Mexico such as churches and seminaries. Since moving to Canada, I have been involved in Art Walk 2009, which was a very positive and successful experience for me. I was very inspired by the response I received from all of the people who viewed and purchased my work. Also, I was awarded second place in the Works Festival Chalk Art Competition. This was a new experience for me as this was my first time using chalk to create my work. That experience really inspired me to experiment with other mediums of art. Most recently, my work appeared at the Open Art Competition at the Spruce Grove Gallery. In addition, my paintings appeared in the most recent editions of the Canadian El Hispano magazine and La Tribuna Latina newspaper.
What do you feel makes you stand out from the rest?
I guess what is most unique about my work is that it incorporates influences from both Mexico and Canada. This is a fusion of influences that is not very common. My art depicts fantasy worlds where nature seems to enter a magical dimension that incorporates elements from both reality and the surreal world that exists only within my imagination. I am influenced by culture, music, alchemy, and the natural environment. I continually analyze what I experience in the world around me and then utilize my own perspective to create pieces of art that seem to call and demand the attention of the viewer.
The colours and objects that appear in my paintings are thoughtful and unique. My work often depicts scenes that ask the viewer to utilize their imagination in order to enter a world that seems fantastically appealing and magical, yet truly impossible to believe. When experiencing my art, the viewer will have many questions that can only be answered when one truly opens one’s mind to the possibilities that exist beyond the constraints of one’s own environment and reality.
What have been your challenges?
It is challenging for an artist to support himself while creating his art. As a result, you are sometimes required to work in jobs that are truly unsatisfying when all you really want to do is pursue your art. One of my challenges has been re-establishing my career since moving to Canada. After experiencing success in Mexico, I had to start all over again when I immigrated to this country. The successes I have experienced in Canada have been the result of hard work and effort. However, it has been worth it as both the art scene in Alberta and the amount of support for the arts in Canada are more than I expected.
What do you feel is your specialty?
I have a way of mixing colours that is somewhat magical. These colours are a large part of what creates the overall fantasy-like effect of my paintings. Also, I put great effort into making my paintings very detailed. When you look at my work closely, you can see the intricate amount of work that goes into creating the overall effect of each piece. I feel that I also have a special way of taking objects and elements from a variety of ordinary sources and then turning them into something that is interesting, mystical, and surreal.
What’s new or cutting edge in your opinion?
I have noticed that many artists are now using technology to create their art. There has been an increasing number of artists creating digital art. Also, I have noticed many new materials becoming available and a number of new techniques. Over the years, art has been gradually evolving. I am seeing an ever-increasing amount of video, object, and installation art.
Anything else you would like to share?
I have been involved in many other professional activities over the years. I was employed as a graphic designer and have also been involved as a costume and set designer. One thing that I am most proud of is the time that I spent working in the art restoration field. I sincerely enjoyed my time working for the Archdiocese of Guadalajara where I was involved in restoring ancient sacred art and artifacts.