We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Felix Preciado. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Felix below.

Felix, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’m self taught it started back when I was living at my grandparents. I used art as an escape tool from everything that was going on around me. Although at the time I was just doodling, looking back now I see I used it as a form of healing. I think just sticking with it would have gotten me further then where I’m at, I stopped messing with art around high school to focus on being a knucklehead. I was more focused on other things that comes with growing up in the “hood” I was my main obstacle. I picked art back up during army basic training and always kept a sketch book around in Afghanistan. Again looking back now I see that it was a form of escape. Now that I’m out of my own way the real creativity can happen.

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

I’m a local houston artist I specialize in oil painting but I bend the bar in mixing style’s. I started spray painting graffiti and adding renascence style feel as the focus point of my art. Combining modern art with classic art and everything in between. I got into this industry random, by random I mean getting thrown in it, I had stacks of paintings laying around in my moms house. One day a friend came over seen everything then gave me a 24 hour notice I’m doing an art show. Ever since then I’ve kept working and creating more, growing and expanding my product. Using different techniques and styles, even doing wood work. When it comes to clients I want to make sure even before we start we have the right design they are looking for. Most of the time they give me free range in the painting and I haven’t disappointed yet. I like to focus on realism but can do any style and will always continue to learn.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My kids. I want them to see my art in places and say “that’s my dads painting” as it is I sign all my art with my kids initials instead of mine. So when that time comes not only will they see my painting they’ll see their initials everywhere. They are the reason I keep pushing day in and day out and for that reason I know I will make it happen.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There’s a few times I quit on myself and wanted to just sell everything I use to create. Wether it was struggling to find motivation or just thinking no one is gonna like what I’m doing. There was even a few times where I did shows and not one person came up to my art to even say hello. I had shows where everyone walked right by me and didn’t even acknowledge me let alone my art. But I still kept at it and still kept creating for the few that follow me and see my journey. I have a good following now but I’ll never forget those harder days.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/za_art_preciado