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

Antonio, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been making a living with my art the past several years due to diligence and perseverance. Art is my breathe and blood. I can not live without art in my life. I am surviving, but my goal is to be thriving. It is a constant to combine discipline in my schedule with my passion for art. To anyone who has to paint or create in order to feel happiness, I say continue on and do your very best.
In addition to art, I am also an actor. So it is kind of a double whammy if I do say so myself. I work part time in the entertainment industry working on set as an actor, and then I work out of my art studio in West Hollywood the rest of the time. I am constantly creating and collaborating. Collaborating is great for artists as it will allow them, as it has done for me, to accelerate their career.

Antonio, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started painting as an infant. I remember at 5, I was already painting. As a youth, I would watch my father oil paint and I was fascinated. In elementary school, high school and U.C.L.A., I continued to receive accolades and pursue my art career. Right out of college, I started as an assistant art teacher. Later, I would teach art to over 5000+ children over the next 20+ years.
My artwork has definitely evolved, but one thing that is constant is my bright colors, my bold lines and the reoccurring theme of social justice, equality, my Mexican-American heritage and the LGBT+ community that I am so proud to be a member.
I paint in my art studio daily unless I am creating a mural or attending an art exhibition or art event with my work. In addition to creating, there is the business side of which I am still learning day to day. Learning about selling your art is so important in order to survive. Knowing how to price your paintings and keep your collectors/clients happy is also so important. All of this has to happen while staying true to yourself as an artist and creating work that is your passion.
In addition, I have an Etsy store which is” artisticgiftgiving.etsy.com. My brand ‘Uncle Tony’s House of Art Productions’ is part of my store. In my store, your will find items that contain my art like prints, stickers and magnets…and items that I have designed with equality and inclusion in mind such as ‘say gay’ stickers and ‘trans is beautiful’ magnets.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society is so important to the work of an artist. There are so many ways for communities to collaborate with artists so they can thrive. One of the best ways is receiving a commission for a painting or a mural. If you are a business owner, consider hiring an artist to paint an inside wall of your business or perhaps part of an outside wall. Also, purchase art from artists online, on their web sites, in their online stores, or go to an event in person where you can meet them and take home the art on the moment. You will be surprised how appreciative artists are for any type of support.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. I want to create art that is not only engaging but one that also sends a message of inclusion, equality, love and hints of spirituality. I often use religious icons, but I am not religious. I am spiritual. In my heart, I believe that being a good person is so much more important then saying 50 hail mary’s and then going out into the world and being nasty to others. Healing, connection, tranquility and love are reoccurring themes in my art, but one particular goal or mission is one of togetherness and an acceptance of our differences which I show in my art through symbolism and commonality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.uncletonyshouseofart.com
• Instagram: artistantoniorael
• Facebook: antoniorael
• Linkedin: Antonio Rael
• Other: tiktok: california_uncle_tony