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INTRODUCE YOURSELF
I'm George Mendez, - Nineteen years old. As of now, I am a realistic portrait artist. I am working towards the hyper-realistic level. I know soon I will reach it.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A REALISTIC PORTRAIT ARTIST?
I began drawing at a young age bc of a speech impediment, I did not say my first words until I was four and so the only way I could really communicate was through depictions. They were not pretty at first, but at the age of thirteen I learned about drawing techniques and methods, and so I quickly started to create bigger and better drawings.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES AS AN ARTIST?
My biggest influences are Leonardo de Vinci and Salvador Dali.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A YOUNG EMERGING ARTIST?
My biggest challenge as a young emerging artist is earning the respect from my colleagues in my community.
WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL CREATIVES TO MAINTAIN VISION AND STAY FOCUSED ON THEIR GOALS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THEM. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST IN 5 YEARS? 10 YEARS? 20 YEARS?
Five years from now I want to be making a great living from my painting and be a mainstream artist. I'd like to have a few solo exhibitions under my belt and have a nice studio/loft in Downtown Dallas. Ten years from now I want to live in New York City where I will create my best body of work.
Twenty years from now, I want to become one of the most famous, and well respected artist of the 21 century.
CAN YOU IDENTIFY A "TIPPING POINT" IN YOUR EARLY CAREER AS AN ARTIST? WHAT STARS HAVE ALIGNED TO PUT YOU IN THE PUBLIC SCENE?
As far as a tipping point, I don't think I have had one just yet. I have had a lot of small opportunities in the past few months. Those small opportunities have compiled and turn me into the artist I am today.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST GOAL/VISION YOU WISH TO ACHIEVE IN YOUR LIFETIME AS AN ARTIST?
To be able to inspire other young people to pursue their dreams. I am high school dropout because my father fell into deep depression due to alcoholism. I took over the family household at the age of sixteen and had to work in construction to pay the bills. My father eventually got better and everything went back to normal. I am currently finishing HS, and pursuing my dream to become a famous and well respected artist.
WHAT ARE YOUR THREE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
1. Producing my first ten paintings. (That's hard work!)
2. Being able to travel to New York because of art
3. Having lunch with David Kusin, the former curator of metropolitan museum of art.
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT BIGGEST PROJECT WE SHOULD ALL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR? (I.E. UPCOMING EVENTS, COLLABORATIONS? SHOWS? ETC.)
At the moment I am producing a variety of paintings for very popular YouTubers and musicians. You guys can see my progress on my Instagram. Expect my debut solo exhibition next year!
CATCH MORE WORK AND SOLO SHOWS BY
GEORGE MENDEZ
ON CREATEGATE!
