We were lucky to catch up with Art Carrillo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Art, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am definitely happier as an artist. There is always a sense of moving forward and accomplishment. When I decided to paint, to do something I love, I was stuck, stagnant. I’ve had a regular job for most of my life. I was working construction, a good union job but was extremely bored and unfulfilled. Working and having a good job, just being responsible wasn’t enough. I was also at a point where I was trying to get my life in order after some bad decisions. There just wasn’t a lot that I was happy about. I wasn’t doing anything that made me feel proud of myself or that enabled me to enjoy life. So I thought about things I used to do that I was good at. I was always a good artist in school since kindergarten, like many artists. So I decided to go back to school and started painting. I wanted to do something to prove to myself that I wasn’t wasting my life. Every time I look at one of my paintings, I know that I’m not wasting my time anymore. There is happiness and a great satisfaction in knowing that.

Art, 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 have a bachelors degree in Graphic Design. I’ve worked very little graphic design jobs but have held many art related jobs while in college and since getting my degree. I have had more success as a working and exhibiting artist. As a working artist I was the lead scenic artist for a small backdrop company in Culver City in 2008. I created over twenty 12×20 ft. backdrops that would be used in the entertainment industry, commercials, photoshoots, etc… In late 2009 early 2010 I finished a 3 month art restoration project of the 7th floor chapel for the Dream Center of Los Angeles. I had to repair a lot of damaged artwork that lined the walls of the chapel and recreate an existing design to a brand new room addition. I’ve worked many jobs as an artist assistant as well. I’m working as an artist assistant to Chicana Artist Margaret Garcia right now. I’m teaching a summer art class now in Bell Gardens as well and have had various teaching/workshops through out the years. I’ve also sold 95% of my artwork that I’ve produced since I started painting. I’m pretty proud of that. I usually get about 1-3 commissions a year. I’m also working on one now.

I love to paint. I think that one of the things that helps contribute to much of my work being acquired is my approach to creating artwork. When I started and to keep me motivated, I saw every painting I did as the only one I’d ever do. This way I’d do my best with that one painting. Then I promised myself to only paint subjects I’m passionate about, this way I’m sure to want to do a great job and I’m sure to love and be proud of what I produce if it doesn’t sell. And that’s my formula.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My particular goal is to engage and enjoy life and not just be a spectator. To live, to smell the roses, to enjoy the ride, I’d love to inspire people to build community and mostly to really do something you love in life. You get a lot out of it. It can be very fun. I don’t want to get old, have no more time and wonder, “What if?” The thought of that being my reality was extremely frightening.

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

I decided to pursue a creative career because I always drew growing up. I was good at it and was almost always the best artist in class while in school. So the first time I went to a museum while in college and saw a super realistic painting in person, I was crushed. I was extremely blown away by the 3 dimensional feel of the painting. I felt like I wanted to sick my hand in but knew I couldn’t. This really blew my mind. Here I am thinking I’m really good, I have a good shot at being an artist then I see some next level painting and am absolutely clueless, lost on how this type of work is even achieved. I had never experienced something like this. I thought to myself ” Where do these people come from? They must go to school for years to be able to paint like this”. I was sure that I wasn’t one of these people. I was crushed. I was sad. I got over it after a few minutes and accepted my reality and decided to continue with my art education. To my surprise, during a class project for my color theory class, I discovered that I had the ability to paint realistically. We had to paint 3 self portraits of ourselves. The first 2 I did in an expressive style and the 3rd I attempted to do realistically. I was doing it to my surprise but half way through I got nervous and couldn’t finish. But that was it. From there I continued to paint in a representational and photorealistic style.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artcart9.com
• Instagram: @artcart9
• Facebook: Arthur Carrillo
• Linkedin: Art Carrillo

Image Credits

Blanca Aldana is responsible for the photographs of me in workshops