Today we’d like to introduce you to Albert Albaladejo.
Albert, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’d always had an artistic spark in me, but most of my life I feared I wouldn’t be able to make a living from being an “artist”. I went to college and studied English Literature, a decision I still regret to this day. In my early twenties, I got the opportunity to study Mandarin Chinese in Beijing, and it’s there that I began my journey as a professional creative. I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work as a freelance photographer for a magazine there called The Beijinger. After my time in Beijing, I returned to my hometown of Miami to help our with the family business.
My family has been in the jewelry industry for decades, and I hoped to contribute in some way. Not being any good at sales I focused on designing and crafting jewelry. This led me to try my hand at designing in 3D. Shortly thereafter I began creating digital art. I spent several years teaching myself, honing my craft by creating and finishing a piece of art every single day.
Eventually, this got my skills up to a level where I could begin freelancing. I freelanced in a variety of mediums, doing everything from concert visuals, album covers and augmented reality video games. The freelance life eventually led me to leave my hometown of Miami and come to Los Angeles, where I’ve been fortunate enough to begin working for award-winning studios like Elastic Studios.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being self-taught, and not having a conventional education at art school has been a blessing and a curse. In some ways, it gives me flexibility and adaptability in my approach, but I’ve grappled with impostor syndrome quite a lot. I’ve also had to reconcile with myself the arduous path the artist must endure. Often one has to sacrifice things like some friendships, and social life, or the temptations of an easier, less competitive life for achieving the goals I have for myself.
Please tell us about your work.
As an artist, I’m quite proud of the fact that I’m completely self-taught. It was through sheer determination to be an artist that allowed me to make a career out of it. I think my unconventional path which has led me to where I am today gives me a unique eye.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have told my younger self to pursue a creative career earlier in life. All the years of self-doubt only delayed my arrival to the life of an artist I was always meant for.
Contact Info:
- Address: 602 S Dunsmuir Avenue, Apt 5
- Website: albertalbaladejo.com
- Phone: 7865013714
- Email: albertalbaladejo3d@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/geometricdaydream
Image Credit:
All work by Albert Albaladejo.
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