Today we’d like to introduce you to PABLO DAMAS.
Hi PABLO, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I just finished dinner. I grilled some chicken. While I was grilling, I was naming 80’s scary movies to my fiancé. I explained to her that I knew a lot of those because there were times when I was about 8-9 years old that I would have to go with my single mom and brother to work at the local video store, when they had the same shift. That’s where it all started. I would sit in the back office trying to copy all the Disney characters from the VHS boxes.
Now, some 40 years later, DAMN!, I was honored with the task of creating a 30×20′ mural at Cal State San Bernardino. That definitely is a long way from the back office of Movie Time in La Puente. There’s obviously been a lot of lows and highs along the way but I’ve always continued to push forward. While I was painting that mural I thought of so many different moments in the past 40 years. I was honored and proud to be up there painting it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
First of all I think if the road was smooth the art wouldn’t be as good. That being said, I think I have a lot of good art. LOL. There are all kinds of struggles when it comes to the art world and trying to make a living creating.
I’m going to focus on now. There are so many hats that need to be worn as an artist in order to work your way to where you are comfortable. Unless you have a team around you, you need to create the art, find new opportunities, stay on top of all your social media, photograph your work, get prints made, the list goes on. Obviously being able to do all that at a decent level is a constant struggle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been a graphic designer for about 15 years. During Covid that slowed down big time. I was lucky to get some murals done during that time. I’ve been able to continue that work since Covid. Unfortunately during Covid I stared getting a lot of commissions for portraits of people who passed away during that time. I guess I special in murals, portraits and live painting. I have also done a lot of gifted portraits so it hasn’t all been bad.
I really enjoy the live paintings that I do cause I get to interact with the people around me. I like people’s reaction to what I create. That’s probably something that sets me apart from others. Not everyone can paint in front of a crowd.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Keep doing it!
I don’t think there’s anything I wish I knew when I started. I think maybe I wish I would have followed this dream from the beginning. I think maybe I wish I had learned early that I need to sell myself at times. I have really only been comfortable with that for the past 5-6 years.
Contact Info:
- Website: pablodamas.com
- Instagram: @sickdotone
