Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Gonzalez-rubio
Hi Nina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I always have been encouraged to embrace my creativity. My dad, who is an excellent graffiti artist, has always been a constant supporter and inspiration. I had always been fascinated by his use of color and the characters he would doodle. I carried that character design with me because of him. Once I got to high school, I had a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Preston, who challenged me and encouraged me to pursue an art degree.
In 2020, I graduated with my Associate’s degree in Studio art and then attended Georgia State’s Atlanta campus in 2021. Once I started working toward my bachelor’s degree, a world of opportunity and challenges opened up to me. At first, finding my way through the Atlanta art scene was difficult, but once I started making friends and getting to know the professors, I started learning how to apply to exhibitions, residencies, and other opportunities. Since then I have been in many group exhibitions, became an artist assistant for one of MOCA GA’s fellowship recipients and I am currently attending my first artist residency.
I know I still have a long road ahead, but I am grateful for what I have accomplished in the past few years. I have such a wonderful support system that has pushed me to put myself out there and continue working on my goals. I’m so excited knowing that I still have so much to learn and accomplish.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I believe part of pursuing an art career is accepting the multiple hurdles that come along with it. You must gather the confidence to share your work with the public, market your art career and pieces to gain an audience and price your work appropriately to make a living. On top of that, you have to dedicate countless hours to your work. Spending that mind of time tends to have you questioning your worth as an artist. And if all the effort is worth it.
For me, I have found all of these things to ring true. I still feel like I’m making baby steps when it comes to facing these obstacles., However, I think the best thing that any artist can do for themselves is embrace the challenges that come with an art career. Having to be constantly tested is what makes an art career that much more rewarding..
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a mixed-media artist who resides in Atlanta, Georgia. A lot of my work mainly focuses on self-exploration and navigating through an extroverted world as an introvert. Since I could remember, I have been pretty shy and a homebody. I found comfort in my own company and could only thrive in my small, tight circle of people. When I go out to parties and events, I feel like I am wearing a mask and I always question everything I do.
Ever since deciding to pursue my art career, I have been fascinated with the juxtaposition of someone like me throwing themselves into a profession that revolves around flaunting, self-advertising, and networking. It is a novel experience that has brought up new ideas, questions, and mixed emotions. This ongoing series helps me navigate my thoughts and helps me feel more comfortable in my skin. I find it helps present a side of me I would normally be too scared to share with others.
When I am working on this narrative, it is mostly expressed through the physical metamorphosis of my figures, like peeling and cracking. It is paired with my use of color, shape, and materials. I have found that I have relied on a lot of my choices are informed by my fascination with cartoons and anime, specifically comfort shows, like Adventure Time or Midnight Gospel. My pieces are a combination of painting, drawing, and printmaking. However, I have been on a huge painting kick recently. I usually include oil pastels, colored pencils, embroidery floss, relief carving, and most recently, embroidery in my paintings. I usually cut and prepare organically shaped canvases from MDF board or roofing paper and foam board.
I am proud of how hard I have worked and how many new people and events I have experienced. A few years ago, I would’ve been deathly afraid to attend events and meet new people. I would want to hide my art from the public and wouldn’t dare to talk about my work in such detail. Now, I am committed to pushing myself to engage and be a part of Atlanta’s art community. I am not afraid to share my work and I have been getting increasingly more comfortable with sharing my ideas behind it. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the courage I have gained along the way.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I encourage everyone to reach out to as many people as you can. If you know someone from a mutual circle or even if they look friendly, try to say hello! When at art shows, people want to socialize and talk about the work around them.
As for artists looking for opportunities, I heavily suggest applying to anything and everything you come across. I have learned that self-doubt is the main thing that holds most people back. Every creative is capable of more than they know, but can never see it in themselves as much as other people can. You never know what opportunities can arise if you put yourself out there. That is how I landed all of my opportunities and assistantships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://killgrass.univer.se/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killgrass?igsh=c2wwaDB3djc5ZWs3&utm_source=qr
