Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Molina.
Adrian, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My Story is a Yin and Yang of visual art and music on all of their levels. My whole life they were both developed in parallel in some form of practice, theory, or history. That was made possible by the influence of my father, who raised us under a Renaissance house. All of the arts and sciences where enjoyed, learned and practiced in my upbringing. He was an all-around artist himself at a young age in Cuba in the 50’s, and showed me who Leonardo DaVinci was at the young age of 6. That’s when I knew what I wanted to be, an artist like DaVinci. As a family we also went all out to make films with scripts, screenings award ceremonies and all. I remember using a camcorder, editing with two VCR’s and a home theater system. All of my siblings excelled in one or two forms of Art and dabble in the rest.
Musically I excelled in percussion, bass guitar and dance. influences; jazz, funk, Debussy, to name a few.
Artistically; Drawing and painting, visual poetry/ storytelling. Influences; Dada, expressionistic painting, comic-book illustration, Hitchcock, Rod Sirling (Twilight Zone), Steven King to name a few.
At 21 I had my first Solo exhibition at a Gallery in Coconut Grove. I displayed an installation about how our perceptions change throughout our uncertain individual path(s) of life, pretty heavy stuff for a young brain. The turnout of about 100 people was unexpected and enlightening to know that I could impact 100 spectators. That’s when I knew this is what I wanted to do. Create art experiences to help observers see the world and our reality through different “lenses” so to speak, and think about things differently, even if just for a moment. Back then the Art community in Miami wasn’t that strong, it hard for a young artist to come up in Miami and connect with other artists and art lovers.
Soon after that I decided to continue my studies in Boston, at School of the Museum of Fine Arts/ Tuft’s University. From there I did a lot of traveling to NYC, went to museums, studied broad in Barcelona, and absorbed every ounce of knowledge I could possibly handle in my experiences as an Odessy away from home could offer.
My graduating thesis exhibited a 75-yard x 12″ long painting; a giant scroll so to speak. It is called “The Looming Time Machine” It was viewed through an interactive wooden hand powered machine, designed, engineered, and fabricated by myself. It was also designed to be assembled and disassembled without using any tools or hardware. There is a Video of it on my website. From that project, I realized that sequential Art is the artistic path I needed to take.
With graphic novels and independent comics now on the rise, a certain calling has rung in my heart to illustrate short stories. Part of that was moving back Miami a few years ago and having the nostalgic influence of my childhood and what my interests where back then. There were places that I used to hang out as a kid that don’t exist or have made a 180 in appearance. Then it hit me, I should write/illustrate stories that take place in these parts of Miami that have been or will be forgotten.
So I am on this mission and working out of studio space on N.W. 36th Street, midtown.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Currently my art has taken two branches;
One: are abstract paintings of vibrations and movement, just for conceptual starters. The series is Titled; “The Color of Sound” followed by a number. I’ve probably made a couple of hundred by now. They are mostly small works on paper, and lately beginning to make a few big ones about 4’x4′ or bigger. Those are painted with ink, gauche and house paint.
I am also skilled in many forms of painting and occasionally land a commission for someone’s home or restaurant. Landscapes, City-scape, portraits of people’s pets and abstracts.
I’ll paint almost anything, on almost anything in any style, for anyone at the right price.
I also give painting lessons on the weekends which helps with the bills too.
The Second; I’m working on self-publishing illustrated short stories influenced by E.C comics, Creep show, and Twilight Zone type of stuff based in Florida. You could call it Floridian fictional folk lore of mystery, suspense, horror, Sci-Fi, and mayhem. The Name of the publishing label is TBD. My first story coming out this year is called; “The Werewolf Kendall”. I’m also working on even shorter stories and fake movie posters that I post on Instagram under @Haunted ink. Most of the methods I’m using are traditional pencil and ink on paper, aside from the inevitable photoshopping for color and formatting. The Covers for stories are Oil paintings. I think that is what makes what I do unique. Most comic artists these days are 100% digital.
I’m not entirely sure why I do what I do. Why do you dance when you hear music?
No one gets existential about that, they just dance… but, weather it’s through an abstract interpretation of sound, or a quick read thorough of a suspenseful comic, all I hope for people to take away from my art is a different perception of the world and our reality. and the remind them, that there is always a different way to see/perceive/interpret our liner experiences in life.
How can artists connect with other artists?
Embrace your loneliness, it is where creativity comes from. But if you are looking to connect with other artists, just get out there! It’s the 21st century, it’s easier than ever to find someone’s style you like and may want to collaborate or just be a fellow fan and art friend. You just have to do a little digging.
Miami now habits a few art districts with their own art walks. It never uses to be this way, I think people forget this is all still new and growing for Miami. There are artist co-working spaces in wynwood and mid-town. Most of the time they are open to to public. Also, finding things like open figure drawing sessions are good too. I go to one Saturday mornings in the bird road arts district, it used to be the same one at UM.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can have viewed online at www.AdrianMolina.Art. Instagram; @AM0lina (the “O” is a zero). also @haunted_ink
If in the neighborhood, anyone is welcome to drop by my studio in the evenings or weekends at Hgab studios near the corner of North Miami Ave and NW36 St. in Mid Town.
My work can be supported in many ways. It can be purchased for one. Just inquire about details. Originals and prints are available. Email; [email protected]
Commissions are also acceptable. I can make you a painting/illustration, on anything with any medium.
One could also just simply follow me on Instagram.
Also, if later this year you hear something about “The Werewolf of Kendall” on Amazon or kick starter or anywhere for that matter, buy it! Updates on “The Werewolf of Kendall” release will be on my Instagram and Facebook. It will be available as a printed book and as web comic on my website and eventually on comixology and other web comic viewing servers. Most likely around October 2018.
Contact Info:
- Address: Hgab Studios 46 Nw 36th Street #2 Miami Fl 33127
- Website: www.AdrianMolina.Art
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Am0lina and @haunted_ink
Image Credit:
ADRIAN MOLINA
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