Meet Carlos Solis: Fine art artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carlos Solis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carlos, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Persistency is the key. Making a living as an Artist is very challenging. You have the entire society, including family, going against your nature. But, it didn’t matter to me. If you believe in your artist skills and being effective on communicating the subject matter from your work, I felt that I have a chance. I had to learn to ignore the noise coming from different directions that wanted to distract you and deviate you from achieving your goals. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well, I believe that I still a work in progress. There are many goals I want to achieve and I lot of work left for me to do to consider myself successful. I always try to take initiatives and come up with new ideas in order to create interest for the spectator or people who want to understand my work. One of the things I starred when I moved from Chicago to Georgia, was a group of Latin American Artist called, “Contrapunto”. The main reason I wanted to do that was because I noticed a lack of Latino presence in the artworld in Atlanta. We are the only group of Latino Artist in Georgia and we have been together for 10 years. We had exhibited in museums, art center, teathers, and galleries all over GA and other cities in the USA. I feel proud of what I have accomplished with this group, however, it has not been easy. Racism and discrimination is alive and active in our society. In addition, some organization don’t know how to handle a Latin group of Artists. Fortunately, things are getting better. There is sector in the art community and in Atlanta in general that feel intrigue and fascinating with this idea of presenting and having a Latin American Art group. I also created and curated shows like “Blackness in Latin America” and Surrealist Apparatus”. I couldn’t have done all these if I wasn’t persistent and believing in myself. A long all this experiences and emotional roller coaster of creativity and sentimental values, I had also learned that being humble and appreciative are elements as important and crucial as having good artistic skills.To me, having BIG egos brings more division and distraction that can cause a negative impact in our lives. It is something I reject and refuse to accept, even with members and possible members of my group. I want the world to know that we should live our life like a masterpiece and remember me as a person who try to bring and establish something unique and different in our community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, I love art, culture, nature and food. If my best friend would come to visit and wanted to hang out, I would take him her/him to museums and galleries first. Then, I would take them to eat ethnic food. I always like try something different and exotic. I personally believe that food is a good conduit or bridge to open the door of understanding and awareness of other cultures, just like art. And I want my friends to feel and experience the same thing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother , wife and daughter deserve credit for who I’m now. My mother encouraged since I was very little to be creative. She saw what I could do and push me to develop those skills. My wife also deserve my appreciation for her support to be an Artist. She is the one who bought my first easel, canvas and art supplies when we moved to the states in 1990. She told me that “I have to develop your artist skills now or you will be wasting your time”. My Daughter also has been a great supporter. She is always trying to help me in whatever I need to work and grow as an Artist. Not every Artist have the support, love and understanding I have with these three ladies. I had met Artists who felt that they can’t continue following his/her dream without having the unconditional support from their spouses and family. I’m blessed for having them!

Website: http://carlosaugustossolis.blogspot.com/p/surreal-paintings.html
Instagram: caslos735
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlos.solis.1460

Image Credits
Celida Solis, Celines Solis and Pedro Fuertes