We were lucky to catch up with Luis Magallanes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Luis, thanks for joining us 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.

The only structured art education I have came from high school. I always enjoyed art class growing up, it was one of the few subjects where I felt I excelled at. I was one of those kids who tried to build their whole personality around being able to draw. After high school though, I tried to give it up.

Since I didn’t major in art or actively took any art classes, I thought being an artist was behind me. But the truth is that the impulse to create or construct art is a human impulse. It’s not a job or a profession, it’s an instinct. As kids, we are given labels based on our hobbies, the same way we label ourselves based on our professions. Then as adults, we might refuse to participate in any activity that can’t be labeled as a job. Why paint if I’m not selling my paintings? Well, why not, the point of art is to create and express ourselves, not to make money.

Not to say that making a living out of selling art is a sin or anything. I benefit from all the art that is made possible because it’s profitable. Where would I get my inspiration without museums, movies, or Tik-Toks? I just want to say that for me, the lack of any sort of professional pressure makes me a better artist.

Luis, 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?

My name is Luis and most friends call me Pollo. I’m in my late 20s living in Dallas. My girlfriend introduced me to the addicting world of cats, she has an orange tabby, but at this point, that is my cat, and I will protect that anxious furry animal with everything I have.

I’m a data analyst and an artist on the side. I sold a painting once and I still miss it to this day. It was the first painting that I built in college, it was experimental and full of passion. I made the canvas from plywood and comic books. I worked on it for weeks and was my first listing on Etsy. I think that’s the one that got away.

I’ve always been an artist. Growing up, I learned the basics at school and was motivated by all my art teachers. I’m thankful for all the opportunities and techniques I could pick up thanks to my school’s art programs. One of the biggest hurdles after high school was keeping up with my artwork. Not having a dedicated space or time for it in my day-to-day life made things more difficult.

I keep growing as an artist by taking inspiration from other artists online. I keep notes on what I see in museums or the color palettes that are currently in fashion.

My signature pieces are abstract drip paintings with graffiti, inspired by Jackson Pollock. In my day to day, I can be anxious, and at work, I can be a perfectionist. However, with my art, I try to get away from that mentality. When trying to create images with drip paint I have little control over what the end product is going to look like. The colors flow with each other and the mix reminds the viewer of the ocean arriving at the shore. The colors have a life of their own and Im not in control of the outcome. The process is therapeutical and creates an organic flow in the final image. I’m proud of my growth as an artist. Every piece is an experiment with new mediums and new materials.

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

We need to start acknowledging the money. We need to start talking about the economics of art. I feel like the general public has a misunderstanding of the price of art. Painting is a passion that comes with a price tag. Somehow, discussing the expenses associated with a piece feels like it takes away from the passion and love that goes into it.

We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about money. Sometimes, it feels like the public gets excited by art, they love to have it, but they don’t want to pay for it. Acknowledging the cost could be a way for people to start acknowledging the human effort behind a piece.

Ultimately though, the reason we should really acknowledge the money, is that by doing so we can understand the lack of funds for art programs. Especially in public schools, I think children need to be given that support and opportunity. They need to be given the opportunities to express themselves.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My latest drive comes from my feelings towards AI. I had stopped painting for a couple of years, but the introduction of AI art is pushing me to create tangible pieces of art. In a world where we have access to create images with the help of AI, we need to fight back.

My pieces are full of texture, they take hours, or days to put together. The colors in my pieces are layered and dynamic. They are gritty, rough, almost haphazardly put together. I enjoy the disorders and imperfections that my methods create. They are imperfect and organic by design.

My work thrives in chaos, and the uncertainty of life. AI to me is a complete rejection of the process and passion that comes from within. In a funny way, my spite for this new tech pushes me forward, haha.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @pollos96

Image Credits

Credit for profile picture Naina Pati, loving girlfriend (embarrassed to be mentioned or acknowledged).