Today we’d like to introduce you to Alfonso Juarez.
Hi Alfonso, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Art had always been a part of my life, I was thankful for that but I was very much steered toward pursuing a degree that would make money. I got a degree in software engineering and was pretty sure of where my life was heading. I was always flirting with art; it was in my life in many different ways, whether through my father’s love for Diego Rivera, being in jazz band or making music. It wasn’t until I lost my job during the COVID era that I had nothing to do for the first time in my life. I needed something to keep me sane and I loved how making art made me feel. Coming from a world of science with exact answers, the idea of there not being an answer at all excited me so much. Then one day, I posted on my Instagram that I wanted to paint some album covers and ended up getting 20-something responses. I did one a day for the next month, I don’t think I had ever done anything every day for a month. I wanted to see if I could do it again, and the cycle continued. It has been 1268 days since those days, and I plan to make art every day till the rest of my life. I make paintings clothing, and curate shows now. My first show was in Mexico City, first time I curated was at Appointment Only on Melrose (Shout out Mario), and I’m planning on doing so much more. I’m so glad I found Art along the way, I really love it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been a lot of ups and downs in my art. (Mostly up) Making art makes me really happy, I feel so free when I make it. That’s why it is so easy to pour myself into my art and do it every day. I can make art happy, sad, angry whatever, it does not matter. I get busy. I would say the biggest hurdle was seeing myself as an artist. Once I finally saw myself as an artist and stepped into that, it’s been a full sprint ever since.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am obsessed with painting acrylic and oil pastels mostly, but watercolor and spray paint tend to make an appearance here and there. You will see a lot of different influences in my work surrounding Disney, Mexican identity, hip hop, and my experience of growing up in LA. These influences span several different mediums such as Canvas, Thrifted Clothing, Pots, Mirrors, and sometimes Furniture. My recent obsession is curating; bringing people together and giving artists opportunities to show their work was something I didn’t know I wanted to do. I’m going to keep pouring myself into these things; check back in on me in a year.
What’s your favorite childhood memory?
All of them.
Pricing:
- 16 x 20 in $500
- 11 x 14 in $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://finito-juarez.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: Finitojuarez
Image Credits
rug is a collab with @juanitorugs
