You have said that your “intimacy” with art started when you were 12 years old through music. How does music inspire your Art?

When I was 12 years old I took piano lessons, I really enjoyed taking them and I became passionate about it. Those piano lessons motivated me to start drawing and right after that I enrolled in a ceramics class… then carpentry. I took those classes because they go hand in hand with art. Today a great part of the sculptures and paintings that I create are related to music or musical instruments. Even though I don’t know how to play any other instrument, I purchase a saxophone; however, and it has become one of my favorite instruments. I know that in the near future I will learn how to play it!

What made you want to do drawings, paintings, and ceramics?

When I was little, I always thought I had a superpower that made me create things. I was always active and always creating. As I was growing up, I noticed that “my powers” were the ability to create. When I studied art, I noticed there were some things I was not that good at. I knew that because my fellow students were better than me. But that also made me realize that there were classes or projects that I was so good at…  That made it so easy for me to excel.

You also do some carpentry… Are you Handy?

When I opened my first gallery, I noticed that I couldn’t trust other people to do my frames or canvas because the carpenters I used to hire were not very efficient.  That made me feel like I was obligated to learn everything about making frames and canvas. I had to learn everything necessary to run a gallery from start to finish, but about 8 years ago I hired a full-time carpenter and between the two of us, we have designed and learned new techniques.

Can you fix things?

When I was young I had a passion for electronics, what I used to do is open them to see how they operate, then I started buying old and cheap electronic devices at yard sales to try to open them to repair them. The truth is that they never worked.  I was never able to make them work, even when I opened them… and when I tried to close them, there were always extra parts. Now I have become more efficient, not only at fixing but also at inventing electronic circuits to use with many of the art pieces I create… It is because some pieces are interactive and require it.

For example, I have an art piece that is voice activated! When you speak to it a light turns on and you can dim it with a voice command.  I have another art piece which reads music by plugging a USB drive.  My most recent project is a painting of a Piano which plays and sounds like a real piano when you touch the keys.

Let’s talk about God and Art. How has your relationship with God and faith developed your artistic growth and capabilities?

Remember how I mentioned that when I was little I used to think that I had superpowers? When I grew up I noticed that those superpowers were actually abilities.  When I let God enter in my heart he showed me that I had gifts. Those abilities are gifts from God. Thanks to this and thanks to developing my own relationship with God, my faith has grown. Now a great part of the message that I use in my art speaks about the love that God has for us. You know the words “Starving Artist”…  I believe the concept to be wrong.  Whoever says that is because they have no faith in the gifts that God has given them. Others simply don’t want to do what it takes to develop their gifts. For me, it is “10% inspiration and 90% work”… many people do the opposite.  God has shown me that we are capable of creating what you can see in your mind. There is nothing in this world that you can’t accomplish if you have the certainty that God is with you. There is nothing that fills me more or gives me more tranquility and gives me all the strength that I need more than knowing that God is with me. I know that he can be with all the people that look for him in their heart.

You are a man constantly looking for knowledge.  What is on your Bucket list?

Play the saxophone at a concert. Skydive with my wife. Adopt a kid. Live a month in Cambodia.

What do you want to do/accomplish that you haven’t done?

I want to have my own brand of souvenirs and to have them distributed all over America.

What is your most memorable Art/Life experience?

My wedding day was the most memorable, I enjoyed every minute with my wife. Before my wedding, the day was very stressful… but without doubt that night was the most memorable experience in my life.

You have said that you rarely repeat creations since each piece of art expresses the instant of your life and how you are living at that particular moment.  How do you keep your work fresh and authentic?

When I travel I always find things I like and sometimes things I don’t like. As inspiration for future projects, I use what I like. A good example is my last trip to Cuba. When I was there with my wife we noticed the way of life… it’s a place where people make an average of 12 dollars per month regardless if they are construction workers or have a doctors’ degree… No matter what the circumstances the people there have a great spirit of happiness. Their happiness helped me to create a new painting series called “gardens.”  It is portraits of their happiness.

You are inspired mostly by the challenge of creating something that does not yet exist or is deemed as “cannot be done.”  What has been YOUR greatest challenge?

To try to create interactive art pieces where people not only see the art but they have to interact with it. Currently I’m working on art pieces that will constantly change colors, if it’s winter it will display a set of colors and if it’s summer it will have a different set also if you turn on your air conditioning it will change colors according to the temperature.

What it is about the BAJA region that makes an artist flourish?

Los Cabos is a tranquil place, you rarely see traffic, it’s a paradise surrounded by gorgeous beaches where you really have the chance to relax and this is helpful for inspiration. That tranquility attracts tourist and people who love art.

How do YOU define beauty and art?

Take a look at this magazine, your shoes, your cell phone, your car, your clothes, your desk or even the building where you live. They were all designed by an art department in different areas.  Now imagine if there was no art… I think it will be a very monotonous life. I feel that art plays a big role in our lives no matter what you do for a living. Here is my favorite quote “Art is anything of the ordinary that provokes the imagination to come alive.”

How important is it for you to bring Art into people’s lives?

It’s very important, God has given me a gift and the gift is not for me to keep. I use it to show others what God has done and to benefit them. During the last 2 years I have seen… and people have commented how they buy my art mainly because of the messages or phrases I use in my art. Other people who purchase the angels I paint have mentioned that they inspire tranquility. I have seen people cry from happiness when they see my art. One client even shared that they have been protected and survived accidents and they believe it’s a Guardian Angel that protects them. All those stories bring me happiness and confirm that God wants me to continue doing what I’m doing.

How does your work feed your soul?

It is motivating to see my clients sharing stories about how someone that was having a bad day changed their mood when they saw my painting at their house… I love to see clients identify themselves with a specific painting because it brings them happiness… because of the colors or words I used on the paintings motivates them.

Tell me about YOUR perfect Baja Day and Evening…Where do you go?

Cabo Surf

What do you do?

Who are you with?

What do you do?

With dear friends and my wife!

Where/What do you eat?

I love Invita Bistro, a great Italian Restaurant and I order Salmon and pasta.

Full moon or Harvest moon?

Harvest moon.