Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Mendoza.
Hi Robert, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am from Houston Texas and a big Mexican family…lots of cousins growing up. I always enjoyed trying new things at school (basketball, chess, drawing, cycling, business), was mostly quiet, and loved to joke around with my friends. I wanted to travel and explore more so I went to a university in Boston. This was my first time out of the state so getting used to the cold and being alone in a new city was a lot. I didn’t know what I wanted to do but always enjoyed visual arts so I tried film/tv. During university, I interned at a small internet company and newspaper but didn’t really see myself doing any of that long-term. At least I met some lifelong friends in school. My last internship was in LA as a production assistant and I moved out here after university and tried to find my footing. With no money and no clear direction I found odd jobs around town and hopped around those 6 person apts with random people.
My first jobs were like most, far commute with the bus, low pay, and long hours. I eventually got a marketing admin job and went back to school at night for graphic design with my friend Laura. As part of the curriculum was a life drawing class and it was the best class Id taken up to that point. I thought could you make a living doing art? So I dropped out and started classes for fine art at Kline Academy on Motor and have been going weekly since. Shortly after I discovered visual development and met some super awesome people who were in a similar position as me – transitioning to something new. Viz dev mixes my logistic, painterly, and storytelling skills together. Since then, I’ve been working on my portfolio. TBH I want to do it all oil paint on a huge canvas, paint on clothes, make socially conscious ‘metal’ stickers, work for an animation studio and make an anime OP with Snow. I try to have fun along the way, try strange food, meet new people, and help people when I can.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anyone has a smooth road, but I’ve definitely tried to make it a fun one. I’ve had to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone so I can learn and often had to repeat mistakes. I can be very quiet and indecisive but I try not to let it stop me from trying new things and meeting new people. Everyone has their personal issues or problems along the way so it’s all about being nice and listening to each other.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For me I love it all haha: sketch from life outside, paint with oil, illustrate digitally, paint on clothes, make stickers, tattoo on friends, getting better at modeling with 3D. It’s hard to get used to a new medium but I feel like mixing it up has helped me refresh my thinking and challenge my brain. Its also a muscle memory thing where you are always training your mind and body to be in sync like any sport. I’m known for being ‘a little’ messy, dynamic perspectives, lots of colors, and cinematic lighting from time to time.
Also, I love to draw fat little Japanese cars s/o to the Suzuki Jimny. I’m most proud of my still life of a patio back in Boston. It’s a 3-point perspective painting of an outdoor table full of cigarettes, beer, and trash. I wanted to liven it even more with some saturated colors and it’s the first painting I felt I was mixing all the ideas I had at the time. The great Juri helped me along the way at Kline and it’s one of my favorite pieces. What I think sets me apart is my diversity of references, use of color, obsession with detail, and being able to see the energy in all the little things around us we may pass by if we are going too fast. Right now I’m working on being less stiff in my color/paint application, more confident, and always keep in mind the big picture to make sure the message gets across to the viewer. Haha, it’s a lot.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Take your time and try new things to challenge yourself. So many people want to always keep moving forward and forget to pause. Double down on the things you enjoy most and worry less about what other people are doing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://byrobertmendoza.com/illustration
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byrobertmendoza/
Image Credits
Snow Dietrich and Alex Ingram
