We had the good fortune of connecting with Caitlin Padilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitlin, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
The conventional advise I disagree with is that you have to change your art to make money, and conversely, that making money off your art in any way, equates to selling out. I believe staying true to your ethos, purpose and message for your art is the very thing that will make you more money over the long haul. And that you will find your audience and connect with them. They will buy your art. When I was younger, the idea of making money as an artist was always veiled in the idea that you had to “sell out”, or compromise your vision, water it down for mass consumption, and sell your soul. At the same time, we have been told that making money is the number one goal for success.
These paths are at odds with each other and only cause to continually keep artists in a purgatory of selling their soul, or dying penniless.
The world is vast, and now with social media and the ability to reach your audience anywhere in the world, we have so many more options. I believe it is possible to make a real living as a professional artist without compromising one’s creative vision.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work has always been a vehicle of communication and connection. I am a Spiritual Surrealist painter and native New Mexican, having a family foundation of centuries here. My work is an evolution of my journey through navigating connection and relationships, spirituality, ideology and imagination. I push myself to understand the ethereal nature of being and the universe. I am inspired by philosophy, existentialism, emotion, Sacred Geometry, the interconnectedness of the Universe, the feminine ideal and preconceived social structures. My process involves encompassing the beauty and simplistic repetition in nature on both the large and small scale and examining it on a deeper level. I believe in involving my audience in my process as much as possible, and paint live at every event, inviting connection and exposing myself and my process, creating an open and vulnerable dialogue. I worked for years building my presence in the community. I started my business in 2016, vending at art markets every weekend for most of the year, and have partnered with William Wooten to create Pigment Pushers, a painting event and class in downtown Albuquerque. I became close with a community of contemporary artists, and pushed for representation at small startup galleries, while also working towards a sustainable online business. I have been featured and recognized in both group and solo exhibitions, including “Superfunkadelic” (2021,2022) at Ghostwolf Gallery, “Grief & Gratitude”(2021) “Let’s Get Metaphysical” (2022) at Tortuga Gallery, as well as Solo exhibitions “Lost & Found” (2020) and “Exposed” (2019), at OT Circus. I am honored to be an ABQ Pride winner, Best In Category for Oil Painting, 2018, and Audience Choice, 2017. Currently, I am the Project Manager for Creative Economy Initiatives for the city of Albuquerque, hoping to help unify and grow the artistic community.

In 2020, while the world reeled and learned to navigate through the pandemic, my husband was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. It set off an agonizing two year battle, which culminated in his passing in November of 2021. This journey forever changed me, and my art. I have pushed into the raw emotions of grief, and the expression and connection to my previous work has evolved. I found my roots in spirituality and universal connection have translated and morphed into an even deeper need to express and find this with my paintings.
I dove more into expressionistic and emotional, tying my ethereal detail brushwork with violent palette knife strokes.It has opened me up, and I have worked to connect the expansiveness of the possible to the visceral reality of the present. The vision and ethos of my work has not changed, only gotten deeper, and given me a broader sense of perspective. Creating a stronger sense of self, which in turn has helped me understand others more.
I have shifted my focus to galleries and more fine art markets, but have largely moved away from the hustle of market life. Pushing myself towards goals and promises I have made to bring my art to the forefront of the art world. I am most proud of my evolution and process, creating new work that has depth and shaped by my experiences.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to first Friday Art Walk. All of downtown comes alive on Central Blvd to celebrate and showcase the beautiful diversity of the creators in Albuquerque. There are artisan markets over the whole weekend, and a permanent contemporary open floor market in the heart of Old Town, with local food and makers of all kinds. The Albuquerque Art Museum never lets you down with the permanent and touring exhibits. The city has exploded in the last few years with amazing street art and murals, which extend and connect the city, so a tour of the murals would be included. The number of art collectives has surged, and the offerings range to fit any taste. Both ABQ Collective and Mothership Alumni are unique examples of the diversity we have in our artisans. In the evening, there are numerous local breweries with local music and a food truck game that is spot on. Finally, the Speakeasy at UN-17 is just the thing to make you feel like you have been transported to a different time, with a back entrance to a hidden gem in a Victorian house.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this to Jon Baran. My loving husband and partner of 23 years who died in November 2021. He was always my biggest supporter, champion, believer and encouragement. Filling me with love, and always recognizing my individuality and spark. Because of him, I am steadfast in my goals as a professional artist, and promised to continue my momentum and become who I am supposed to be. I could not have gotten to where I am without the love and support of my family, friends and community.
My parents, who believed in me when I was doodling as a child, and supported my artistic endeavors even when it seemed like I would never make money, and continue to push me to be true to myself and my art.
To my community, who have given me a sense of place, and cultivate a family of artists and creators who want to connect to the world through our art

Website: caitlinpadilla.com

Instagram: @caitiethepainter

Linkedin: Caitlin Padilla

Facebook: Caitie The Painter

Other: TikTok @caitiethepainter

Image Credits
All images are the property of Caitlin Padilla, sole creator

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