Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Luis Guzman . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Luis , thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I passionately pursued art as a hobby since the age of six. In 2017 I embarked on a creative pursuit, however my attention was pride driven. For nearly five years, I struggled with maintaining artistic success. Forcing my Art to hold narratives that catered to the audience, but not me. All to make money and hold some short lived relevance in the artistic community. It wasn’t working, and I was on the cusp of calling is quits Indefinitely, it was my mother who fueled me to try again. I applied and was later featured in the 2022 Rostrum 312 group show, putting my best efforts on display. It resulted in meeting Laura Rose Barth, whose passion and aspirations attribute to my new found perspective-building relationships, advocating, and teamwork. Two years later I have surrounded myself with remarkable people, traveled to wonderful places, and constantly inspired by the spontaneity of life. All these things, people, and places share the common goal of making the pockets of their world a better place. I accepted that my failures where stepping stones, and learned that we are not void of bad days, its our response after. I was gifted a talent and finally saw value beyond the monetary, and an opportunity to show the impact of my perseverance and hardwork. This has led me to my pursuit as a professional creative.

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

I’m a public educator and have had the pleasure of working alongside students of special needs for a decade now. In addition I am a full-time Artist, it’s a balance of two worlds I care deeply about. I’m a showman at all times, sharing the spotlight on others rather than myself.
I relish the opportunity to provide an experience and tell a story through painting. I lead with kindness and am reminded of others’ impact on my inspiration. I am humbled daily by the stories I hear and experiences I face. No matter how brief or long the encounter, it’s how my art finds its way to the canvas. Lastly and most importantly I would not be the man or Artist I am today without my amazing wife Peggy, I love you.
In 2022, I was on the cusp of cutting art out of my life for good. My mom encouraged me to keep trying, in my last attempt I applied for Rostrum 312, a community show curated by Beth Swanson. Beth confirmed my selection for the show, I was more nervous than excited. I decided to put everything I had in to this show, possibly being my last. Framing, marketing and materials dug a hefty hole in my pocket, but a risk I took nonetheless. Everything looked good and I was ready, a private viewing was arranged for a non-profit called “Dream on Education”. The private viewing led to meeting Laura Rose Barth, who at the time was a Board member. We hit it off immediately, our shared views and goals expanded on the importance of creativity and its benefits toward impacting our communities.
I want to engage in getting to know my clients, everybody has a story-a memory, a loved one, a moment of triumph. It warrants to be seen, retold through color, medium, and scale. An opportunity to recreate a part of my clients world, is my reminder to them that there are moments in life that speak so greatly it’s called to exist.
A few years ago I met with a client named Tiffany, who had expressed interest in commissioning for a portrait. She came across my work following the Rostrum 312 show and instantly gravitated to my style. We arranged to meet for some light refreshments, I wanted to spend this time building trust and learning her story. It would be this moment that makes its way to the canvas-the retelling of her story. As the evening carried on, I learned she was a Tea connoisseur-hand picking her own leaves, researching each leaf and its health benefits, and packaging. This passion has stemmed largely from being a cancer survivor. I was emphatically drawn to her struggle and her strive.Tiffany fortified her worst day in order to guarantee her best. Tiffany is not only a friend, but a staple amongst my body of commissioned work. Jokingly I shared with her that if the opportunity ever presented itself I would happily buy the commissioned Artwork from her. With every relationship my Art creates, I use it to highlight people on the other end of the paintbrush. As Aristotle once said “The aim of art is not to represent the outward appearance, but their inward significance.“
In regard to who I am, I’m an old-soul, I value tradition over trend. But my faith has greatly impacted my life and there are two biblical scriptures that really resonate with me and speak to who I am.
Galatians 5: 22-23 and Romans 12: 4-21
I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built and the smiles, tears and gasps my art has put on so many faces. Confronted with hardships as a kid and later being told Art isn’t a career option was very disheartening. I didn’t adhere to the mistreatment nor the circumstances.
I continue to follow my dream of becoming a full-time artist. I was gifted a talent to create and finally see its true value, to build relationships, advocate, and a team. Core values that I try to live out daily to show that any creative pursuit is viable, and being able to prove that is what I am most proud of.
My upbringing was challenging, but the work and passion my parents displayed amidst a hard life is proof that on the other side of struggle is strength. My parents persevered within their own unique circumstances. My Dad was a carpenter who was touted for his skills. Later he was recruited by an esteemed Chicago Architect, who had worked alongside Frank Lloyd Wright. I had the pleasure of watching my dad work and it was amazing. His problem solving skills were so unorthodox, but he always managed to prove his methods right. He outworked his problems and critics, I would later find it very similar to my artistic approach. Having worked on many luxurious homes and high-end clients throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Though my Dad was often absent, his habits distracted him from doing the right thing and that led to him passing in 2019. My mom worked at a nursing home and volunteered her time as a teacher’s assistant, facilitating art projects. She always made the time to create, especially at home-those moments at home were really special to me and she knew it. I always enjoyed watching her draw, she was the spark to my inspiration. Her drawings were so good, I always begged to share her work at school show & tell. Everyone would ask If my mom could draw them something and I would always say no, haha! Thanks to my mom, I would find later that school year I could draw too. My first drawing was a dinosaur (brachiosaurus), followed by disney characters, then looney tunes, and later marvel/ DC super heroes. Now here we are, I’m a portrait and Figure painter given the opportunity to tell my story. Inspiring all young and old artists that when things are looking down, that’s when you should lean on what you love to do. The journey is rocky, and it’s ok to take breaks, but keep moving. Failure will make itself known, but your response will either keep you in a storm or lead you to clear skies. For myself, I know Art is something i must do.
My process is inspired by a subject’s eyes or positioning of their body and how accurately it speaks to what they’re trying to say, or not say. My go to mediums are acrylic based, regular and heavy body paints, inks, etc. paired with molding paste, gold leaf, and pen & ink. My painting approach tends to have no rhyme or reason. Accepting how the paint falls, using palette knives and brushes to scratch, scrape and feather my clients story onto the canvas. I always work on a gallery style canvas and it is always framed thanks to my exclusive framer Michael Spear at Peterson picture co. all this to say that in order to be your best, you have to do your best and if you can’t, then bring on those who can. Collective growth, is still growth.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

That is a loaded question, because Society will always perceive one artwork in an infinite number of ways. However there is something society can do-accept that the world isn’t done. As a society we strive constantly to move beyond the pre-packaged world and add something new in the now. It’s our responsibility to create and society’s responsibility to look at it, buy, and adopt its message. Artwork can do incredible things, it enlarges our view of the world. Art doesn’t only require you to speak, but to listen, feel, and be present. To carry a piece of our world back with you. There are two kinds of people in the world, those who look for value and those who see it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I’ll lead with a quote-
“When my daughter was seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at my work. I told her I worked at a College-that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, ” You mean the forgot?”
-Howard Ikemoto

What’s most rewarding is looking ahead to the things, people, and places that work their way onto the canvas next and refusing to forget.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.la-guzman.com/
• Instagram: @guru_gulu
• Other: https://www.artgulu.com/

Image Credits

Charming studios
Art of giving foundation