Sebastián Barrón: Visual Artist (Part 2)

Sebastián Barrón

Part 2: Feature Interview with Sebastián Barron

(Click here to go to Part 1: A Personal Essay by Sebastián Barrón)

Apart from art supplies and equipment, what is essential to your work as an artist? I need the inspiration and drive to actually sit down and start the creative process, something which can be quite a lengthy experience for me.

Everlasting Beauty by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

How do your background, cultural roots, and/or sense of identity manifest in your art? I wouldn’t necessarily say that my ethnicity is a part of my work, but in terms of my identity, that is what I feel is truly taking center stage within my art. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a fascination and admiration for femininity and the power behind it; I found myself having a preference for female characters, villains, fashions, and the general aesthetic appeal of the female form at a very young age. In turn, this did set me apart from other boys my age who were naturally drawn to things like superheroes and sports, things which I greatly disliked growing up. I constantly felt ashamed of myself and felt constrained by society’s rigid expectations of who I should be. As I matured, I eventually realized that I had the power to forge my own path in life and be whoever I wanted to be. That is why I mainly draw famous women, because I am not only infatuated with their iconography, but more importantly, with their talent and their trailblazer attitudes.

Summer Haze by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

How has your artistic practice changed over time? When I first began to take an interest in art as a toddler, I refused to use anything other than a pen (ink) to draw, I have no idea why. It wasn’t until my early years in elementary school that I transitioned into using a pencil instead. At that age, I would draw on printing paper and was notorious for “borrowing” stacks of paper from our family printer. Once I began taking art more seriously, I started drawing on actual sketch pads and implementing color to my projects. Nowadays, I don’t have as much spare time to focus on as many artistic endeavors as I’d like to, but when I do work on something, I usually barricade myself in my room for an entire weekend to make progress on whatever it is I’m working on.

What inspires you (e.g. places, scents, elements, moods, sounds)? I’m inspired by a plethora of things, but if I were to narrow it down, I would say that I’m inspired by history, pop culture, and fashion.

Champagne Glamour by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

What is your creative process? What does a typical day of creative expression look like for you? I’m often asked how I decide who and what to draw next, but frankly it just happens organically. It is then my responsibility to flesh out that idea and immerse myself into the project. Typically, I do this by getting to know who exactly the subject of my drawing was/is; usually by indulging in their work, watching interviews, or just looking at multiple images of them. Then I create a sketch of what I want to depict and add color/detail much later in the process.

Doomed Destiny by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

Different people perceive and respond differently to art. Do you recall any memorable responses by others to your works? I’ve always been very shy, especially when it comes to my art because it is something very personal that comes directly from my imagination. I had a close-knit group of family members that got to see my creations, but one of the first times a wider audience got to see one of my drawings was when my aunt posted a picture of one of my drawings onto her Instagram. At the time I was angry because I didn’t want all that attention, but after some convincing, I realized that there was no reason to feel embarrassed. I got a lot of positive messages regarding that drawing I made of Cinderella from the then up-and-coming live action film. Mind you, by today’s standards I think the drawing is not that great, but it left a positive impact on me. To this day, I still struggle with sharing my art on such a public platform, but I do it to get myself out of my comfort zone and in turn always feel validated/more confident in the end.

Standing Ovation by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

What piece of advice would you give other aspiring artists? The best piece of advice that I can give to an aspiring artist is that the key to success is not to compare your abilities or work with that of another artist. One of my biggest faults is that I have a terrible tendency to base my self-worth as an artist on fellow creators and their work. Whenever I see my favorite celebrities sharing other artists’ work, see other accounts that have larger followings than I do, or find another piece better than mine, it can get a tad bit discouraging. In situations like this, the best thing to do is applaud your companions in art and realize that they are at totally different stages in their careers than you. What matters most is that you realize that you have potential and that in order to allow it to flourish, you must work at your own pace and not allow those small things to hinder your growth, while still championing for unity within the community. I also think it is worth mentioning that excessive amounts of likes and views aren’t everything, while getting compliments is very flattering, a true artist does what they do because it brings them satisfaction or fulfilment not for fame.

Golden Enchantress by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

Who are your favorite painters? This might seem like a major cop-out, but I must answer openly and honestly. The painter or artist who has definitely impacted me the most is Martha Barrón, otherwise known as my grandmother. As a kid, I always anticipated my weekend visits with her because, aside from the guaranteed love and warmth that I would receive from her, I always knew she had something fun and creative up her sleeve. Whether it was painting, sketching, crafting, knitting, or sewing, you bet my Nana is able to do whatever she puts her mind to. In terms of her art, her paintings mainly feature traditional, elegant women as well as innocent young children. She never ceases to amaze my family and me with her refined portraits and seemingly endless talents. It almost makes me a little upset that she didn’t pursue a career as an artist, but naturally, expectations for women were different when she was growing up and she became fully committed to raising a family. I’ve noticed that much of her maternal instinct has taken center stage within many of her works, along with highlighting the radiance/power that women hold.

She is Grace, She is Beauty by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

Who are your favorite heroes/heroines in real life? This is an incredibly difficult question to respond to because it has several different answers. In regards to people that have directly influenced me in my everyday life, I would have to say all the women who’ve raised me. As far as celebrities go, this one might seem like a no-brainer if you know me well enough, but my ultimate heroine is Lady Gaga. She is the epitome of what it means to be an artist for she is totally out of the box and has a fearless frame of mind that has managed to inspire a whole generation of weirdos. She is an underdog, a voice for those who feel voiceless in a world that is so closed-minded and prejudiced against those of us who don’t fit the mold. For a long time, I felt as if I had to conform and blend in to survive, but that wouldn’t be fair to do to myself. To me, she is a symbol of power and individuality; I always try to channel her energy whenever I have to do something intimidating or out of my comfort zone. Lady Gaga will forever be one of my many female role-models and I would one day like to thank her personally for the inspiration she’s given to me as well as her advocacy.

Monsters in my Head by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

Your favorite motto? “Don’t dream it, be it.”

Your idea of happiness? My idea of happiness is finding fulfillment and acceptance through my art. I’ve often had a difficult time in my life owning who I am and worrying over the way people may perceive me. Whether it may be because they think I’m too quiet, aloof, or weird, the fact of the matter is that people can be hot garbage; the same goes for their opinions of you. I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by a small, but incredibly loving group of people who continue to uplift and motivate me to be me. To put it simply, through my art I can reclaim my identity and feel proud of my uniqueness.

La Reina by Sebastián Barrón | Colored Pencil on Dry Media Paper

To connect with Sebastián and view his artwork, follow him on Instagram @sebastianbarronart

(Click here to go to Part 1: A Personal Essay by Sebastián Barrón)