Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to CAMILO RAFAEL SIERRA. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi CAMILO RAFAEL, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is an upcoming album that will be my first solo album after 20+ years of being a singer/songwriter. As a multi-dimensional artist, I have always explored many different disciplines in the art world like drawing/illustration, design, architecture, and animation. Music was always a deep passion. I started singing in elementary school in a kids’ choir that would go to several events and sing classic American songs. As a teenager, I joined an acapella group at my church with two other friends and we would go to jails and outreach programs to sign hymns. In my first band, I started touring and getting experience doing raps and background vocals along with playing keyboard and piano. I furthered my experience in several bands and eventually came across an opportunity to have my very own project. I became a lead singer in 2009 and have worked on several albums, features, jingles, etc. I have also helped countless artists realize their visions by serving as creative director on dozens of projects. Now for the first time, I will release a solo project with the intention of re-introducing myself to the world as the artist that I have become over the years. I will write about my personal experiences, honor my ancestors, reveal personal details about my creative process, and also go on a journey to discover a new artist name for myself.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
My parents were both artists. My father is an accomplished designer, illustrator, and painter. My mother is amazing with crafts and culinary arts. I was exposed to traveling art shows and traditional artisans at a very young age in Puerto Rico. Makers and vendors of all kinds. My mother used to play music for me in the womb. Music was a part of my life ever since my first memory. Latin music blasted at family parties, in the car on a road trip with my dad and at night I would fall asleep listening to a favorite album on my Walkman. This all leads to many explorations in different areas of art. I offer graphic design, illustration, music production, and video editing, just to name a few. I can see the ‘guts’ of what makes a creative project alive and I can craft those elements mostly from scratch. I have a very keen sense of technology so I incorporate that when necessary but I love traditional methods the most. I work from the heart. I listen to my intuition. I read energy and intention and use that in my process. Every project is unique. I don’t like to use templates or cookie-cutter approaches. I can see what most people cannot and what is overwhelming to most is my playground. My main focus now is to use all of my experience and create a work that will travel the world and inspire people of all ages.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I have been waiting for this technology for ages! I welcome blockchain technology and all of its many possibilities! I am currently developing my own NFT project to go along with my debut album. Very exciting!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Most definitely the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to live life on my own terms and being able to meet new people, new dimensions, and new ways of thinking. To me, being an artist means constant evolution and growth. It means freedom of expression. Without art, the world would be dull and boring.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://camilorafaelsierra.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilorafaelsierra/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camilorsierra
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilosierra/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/camilization
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he35ChN2ITI
Image Credits
Jhay Osorio
Troy Jeffery
Ella Arie