We recently had the chance to connect with Ernie Markers and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ernie, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Intelligence is number one for me. Not only for my creative self but as for being human, my mind is an important tool and must treat it with care and positivity. I feel like I can not have neither energy or integrity without proper guidance. If I am feeling overwhelmed or stressed, my energy will shift into negativity and just makes it uncomfortable to be around. As for integrity, I can’t act on it if I don’t understand the consequences and lose my awareness. This is just my cup of tea, intelligence helps me survive, bring peace and wisdom, and building trust and foundations to my inner temple.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ernesto Pablo Carvajal, also known as Ernie Markers. I’m a 26 year old creative artist and illustrator. My background is Puerto Rican and Nicaraguan, but I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Miami. I’ve been a fan of drawing cartoons and characters all my life, but after college I wanted to do more. My uncle, Carlos Junk Lainez, introduced me to the art, tattoo, and graffiti culture and I learned how to make things through acrylic paints and aerosol spray paint. When I am not working on paintings on canvases, I got to work on my other cool side which is being an embroidery operator. I’ve been working on embroidery for 4 years now and it’s a fun activity to learn and you honestly may surprise yourself in the long run. I’m working on currently creating a clothing brand for myself while studying the fashion industry. I’m also a creative director/curator for my annual showings of a Halloween themed group event titled “Scream Dreams”, where I invite many artists to participate in submitting works related to spooky themes. Eventually, I would want to be more involved around the art world and be along great company.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My grandmother. Nerliz Guademuz. She was my North Star and my guiding compass through life. When I was younger she’d always see that I had a very strong passion to go out and create and create, she never wants me to go through life working on any 9-5 job. As I go older I was always worried of what I wanted to go forward, and she’d always given me the most greatest advice on not stopping the creative hustle and work ethic. She would always say, “whatever you do, just do it and go with God” and I have those words are burried with me forever.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I always have been truthfully hard on myself. Like I have always had this feeling of not being the best I could be or why am I not at the level of this person, etc. And I’ve come to terms that everyone is on a different journey and hopefully my journey is the experience of making mistakes and finding the keys to doors open in beautiful ways.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
That somewhere out there, there are aliens. I cannot bring you exact proof, but I am a big believer for it to be true.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
When I am in my creative studio, listening to my favorite music, putting out some sage to brighten the energy in the room, with a refreshing glass of lemon water, and begin to paint. That is when I am in the zone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teepublic.com/user/ernie-markers
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/erniemarkers
