We were lucky to catch up with Perry Picasshoe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Perry, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I am currently immersed in the expansion of my mystical garden series, and I’m thrilled to share my latest endeavor—a significant portrait depicting my father crossing the border. This piece holds deep meaning for me as a tribute to him and the immense sacrifices he has made for our family. In many ways, he embodies the role of a gardener, someone who traverses borders, metaphorically planting seeds and nurturing the growth of a flourishing garden for me and my siblings to thrive in.

This upcoming project serves as a powerful opening to showcase my artistic vision. It symbolizes the strength, resilience, and love that transcends borders and embodies the immigrant experience. I am truly excited to bring this piece to life, paying homage to my father’s journey and the experiences of countless others.

In addition to this significant portrait, I am eager to delve further into creating artworks that revolve around my personal story, my family, and exploring themes specific to the Latinx and queer communities. These are vital narratives that deserve recognition and celebration. Through my art, I aim to shed light on the diverse experiences, challenges, and triumphs that shape our identities.

Perry, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello, I’m Perry Picasso, a queer Latinx artist based in Southern California. My passion for the arts has been ingrained in me since a young age, and it has only grown stronger over the years. I graduated from the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts.

From the moment I first held a crayon, my imagination took flight, and I haven’t stopped creating since then. Painting was just the beginning. My artistic journey has expanded to encompass photography, modeling, performing, sculpting, directing, and more. In every medium I explore, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder, inviting people to immerse themselves in my whimsical world.

I take great pride in the precious universe I’ve crafted within my artworks. It brings me immense joy when someone expresses their desire to inhabit one of my pieces or even devour it metaphorically. However, what I treasure most is the ability to capture and honor the essence of individuals. When a model shares with me how they feel perfectly represented in a way that no one else has ever achieved, it fills me with profound happiness. I strive to capture the essence of each person and celebrate their uniqueness in a way that brings joy, fulfillment, and a renewed sense of self-expression.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

This is something I’m currently in the process of working through. Throughout my time at UCLA, I encountered significant challenges from both faculty and fellow students. In certain critique sessions, there were instances where unproductive remarks were made, scrutinizing every choice I made for a piece. Questions like, “Why is this line here and not there?” or “What is the point of this?” or even, “Why bother making art?” became all too common. On a few occasions, these critiques left me feeling overwhelmed, even bringing me to tears. It got so severe that I experienced panic attacks every day for months, ultimately leading me to take a break from school and return home.

While I typically don’t let others’ words affect me deeply, this experience was different. Being in a predominantly white institution, it struck a personal chord. It caused me to question my own identity as a real artist. However, I’ve begun to shift my mindset and use these challenges as motivation to prove them wrong. I’ve become more critical and intentional in everything I create. This adversity has taught me the importance of trusting myself, my intuition, and believing in my abilities once again.

I recognize that this struggle is not unique to me but is shared by many other artists, especially those from minority backgrounds, who have gone through art school. It is an ongoing journey of self-discovery, resilience, and reclaiming our artistic voice. Through it all, I am determined to emerge stronger, more empowered, and continue to create art that reflects my unique perspective and experiences.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’ve been tremendously inspired by the way musicians and high-end fashion brands have positioned themselves in the market. Let’s talk about musicians like Tyler, The Creator—now there’s a true genius! He surpasses the boundaries of being just a musician and ventures into various realms. From fashion to producing entire festivals, his accomplishments are incredibly impressive. Witnessing his journey makes me believe that I too can achieve anything and everything I set my mind to.

Turning to high fashion brands, their business models have always intrigued me. Consider iconic names like Mugler, Schiaparelli, and Chanel. They cleverly utilize haute couture as a means of marketing and building their brand identity. To fund these endeavors, they offer perfumes and other smaller leather goods. These more accessible and affordable items serve as a gateway for people to enter the enchanting world of the brand while preserving its magical allure.

This approach has sparked my interest in following a similar path for funding my larger bodies of work. I aim to explore ways to produce items that are just as whimsical and surreal as my paintings. I want to create a bridge between my art and the audience, allowing them to experience my unique universe in a more tangible and affordable manner. It’s an exciting journey to discover how I can bring the essence of my artwork into other creative avenues, expanding the horizons of my artistic expression.     

Contact Info:

• Website: http://perrypicasshoe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_p3rry/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Art_P3rry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ArtP3rry
• Other: Portfolio: https://picasshoe.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@art_p3rry