Antonio Gonzalez

For more work by this artist, click here.

A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE ARTIST

1. What do you do when you’re not making art? (Day job etc...).

Reading philosophy and behavioral psychology. Working in a supermarket and in a local gallery. Spending time with my wife and my dogs.

2. Why do you make art?

My first experience with art was in high school, just having just a white piece of paper and a pencil with which I could create anything. Later in my studies of fine arts, I found the support of teachers that really believed in what I was creating, so I continued to do so. Throughout my lifetime, my father’s challenges pushed me toward art to express myself and the feelings I was going through in relation to him. My father spent a lot of time closed in his bedroom, always physically present but not emotionally there. One day in my early teens, I opened the door and the room was filled with smoke and a strong smell I did not recognize. Later, I discovered my father was a drug addict. I wanted to become a professional artist because I have independent ideas and I want to express them. I have continued to polish my technique to permit me to “say something” and to share my perspective of the world. It's not enough for me to describe something - words are not enough to express what I see in my mind. Art gives me the medium to create what I see.

3. What inspires you?

Contemporary issues of our world and philosophy are my pillars. After reading the work of Sigmund Freud, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus while living and studying in France, this has been my focus. Another theme in my artwork is adventure. Because I was born in Spain, later moved to France, and now I'm living in the US, my life has opened me to a variety of experiences and cultures. One experience that particularly impacted me was walking 600 km (i.e. 373 mile) walk from Jerez de la Frontera (my hometown in Southern Spain) to Madrid, passing from Seville to Cordoba, crossing Sierra Morena and Castilla - La Mancha. I received the help of many folks during this journey that I will never forget, adding a sense of adventure and benevolence to my work. Finally, with the passage of time and my current surroundings, I'm adding new themes that strike me, like my garden flowers or vegetables.

4. What/who are your influences?

My life experience inspires my artwork. Technically Joseph Zbukvik, Sorolla and Antonio Lopez.

5. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?

I think Bill and Melinda Gates because of their experience, vision and philanthropic work.