We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pedro Nieblas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Pedro thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

For me, the most meaningful thing ive done up until now is photograph the Festival de Los locos, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I was going to go 8 or 9 years ago but i met a woman before the trip, so i chose not to go. The relationship ended and i immediately booked my flight. I spent a month in San Miguel just taking it in, meeting people, going to the beautiful cathedral everyday, and photographing everything that caught my eye. The festival dates back to the 1930’s, but its origin has pagan roots. Originally, the village people would dress up much like our Halloween and hand out fruits to the towns people after a good harvest year. After a few years of this, the townspeople starting calling them crazy. Hence the festival de los locos (festival of the crazy ones) . Now a days, the people throw candy at the crowd, some of the candy is hard and that’s why the more experienced onlookers have umbrellas.
For me this was a journey to the center of me. I made friends, de-stressed, lived easy, and for once did something i wanted to do.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Wow, big question. As a disabled veteran with pretty severe Psoriatic Arthritis i dont do much. What’s important to me is how i spend my time. Im a father of 2 young men who are the center of my universe. Anytime i have to my self is spent trying to feel good physically and mentally. Going on walks is my favorite thing to do when im physically able to. On these walks i walk slowly and meditate. Becoming aware of my breathing and that i am apart of everything around me, then I make conversation with strangers who i find interesting, and take photos. My art is made on these walks. The photos i take are of real life. Segments of a day where i walked. A journey, the viewer can accompany me on.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Im pivoting now. And its a hard. I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis last year and its been a living hell ever since. Everyday is a struggle with the skin on my hands and feet. The pain makes it difficult to concentrate and all the medication im on leaves my mind foggy. Taking pictures is the only thing that makes sense in my life now.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Anything on Zen eases my mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: Pedronieblas.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/mr.nieblas

Image Credits
Pedro nieblas