Issue 4 Artist Spotlight | Gennaro Gonzalez
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Gennaro!
GG: I am an elementary art teacher working for the public schools in Worcester, MA. I enjoy drawing, painting with watercolor, and listening to dialogues or monologues regarding a variety of themes while I am doing my workout at the gym. Since I was a child, I have always been inspired by cartoons, comics, movies, illustrations and fairy tales. What is not generally known about me is that I am a "half-blood" like Harry Potter: I am part Italian and part Puerto Rican.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
GG: I strongly believe in the power of mastering techniques to make “tangible” my visual thoughts. For that reason, coming to know many artists, designers and creatives, in general, is important. Spending time and money on books and high-quality supplies is crucial for personal growth as a creative.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
GG: I prefer to create in the evening time when most of my daily duties are completed. Basically, creative time is my relaxing moment. I create in my little studio at home, having good jazz music as a background or listening to Italian Facebook pages, Youtube, or other websites. I would like to dedicate more time to my art. Currently, my focus is studying for my college course. I am in the process of obtaining my initial license as a school teacher. Yes, even teachers have homework!
C+B: What is something exciting that you're looking forward to in your life or creative life?
GG: I find exciting exploring more techniques related to drawing and watercolor painting.
Find and support Gennaro here:
(A femmena e o purp, 23cm x 35cm, watercolor, ©Gennaro Gonzalez)
If my work was a meal it would be: It may be a baba (a typical Neapolitan pastry).
I would love to be able to share my work with: I would love to show my artwork to Adam Hughes, an American illustrator whose artwork and sense of humour inspired me.
If I didn’t work in my current medium, I would like to try: Probably, I would use digital painting. I had a bit of experience with this modern medium. Its colors are brilliant. Nevertheless, the opportunity to erase mistakes with a simple click gives a sense of confidence. Digital makes working so easily, as if nothing has happened.
My hope for those viewing my work: Sense of imagination that is fed by studying mythologies, novel, and other stories.
