Check Out Frank Gonzales’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Gonzales.

Hi frank, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Mesa, Arizona and grew up in Tempe. I attended Mesa Community College for several before receiving my BFA from Laguna College of Art and Design in 2003. My work is an exploration of noticing the extraordinary of everyday life through familiar, mundane and nostalgic elements. Themes of nature and Chicano culture play a personal significance that has shaped a lifelong passion.

My work is included in both private and public collections around the world including the Ampersand Boutique Hotel in London, The Orange County Children’s Hospital, and Starbucks, Bank of America and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. My work has been featured in numerous publications and Online Text including American Art Collector Magazine, Juxtapoz, Booooom and Colossal. I was also featured on the cover of American Art Collector Magazine in 2010. I designed a terrazzo floor for the 24th Street Sky Tram station at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. My largest public works to date!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If your journey is a smooth road, I would say it’s probably someone else’s. Being an artist is one of the most nonlinear professions there is. One of the requirements is you must develop a tolerance for uncertainty.
There’s a lot of peaks and valleys involved with being an artist.

Being as honest and true to oneself can be a challenge. It can be alluring to want to be “discovered” and make a living solely off your work. It’s easy to make work that caters to the market, but there’s not much longevity in that. We have associated good work with commerce.

I have reached a point in my career where I have fallen in love with painting all over again. I decided to follow my own interest and create the work I wish to see exist. I can’t paint fast enough to make the works I want to make!

I’m truly grateful every day.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always worked a full time job as an artist. I have been an Art Handler/Preparator for over 20 years. I currently work at the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum in Downtown Mesa, AZ. I have been there just over 10 years. It’s pretty demanding to juggle family, work and an art career, but it’s what I do. Having a job has allowed me to create work on my own accord and not be at the mercy of the market. I’m truly grateful for that.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Following your passion in life despite if it makes money or not is a Risk these days. Today’s climate is all about monetizing on your hobbies. Listening to your inner drum and not following the algorithm makes one a badass in my book!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.frankgonzales.net
• Instagram: @gonzalesfrank

Image Credits
me