Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Solano.
Hi Carlos, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in the South Bronx, NYC. I grew up in an environment heavily influenced by music, spirituality, street art, violence and cultural diversity. The Bronx was a place full of positive and negative influences and they shaped me to be the artist I am today. Eleven years ago I made the decision to move to South Florida with my girlfriend (now my wife). I found a brand new start and a new color palette in life to help tell my story. I hit the floor running as soon as I got here, hungry for any creative opportunity to show my talent. Soon, I found a great job as a graphic designer for an apparel company and this allowed me to pursue my passion to be an artist and not worry about the financial responsibility.
Over the years, I stuck my nose in every opportunity I could find. From live painting at events, open mics and any local art shows in town. In doing so, I met many creative friends who helped me grow and help me evolve into the artist I am today. The drive and support system I now have, has given me the confidence to take my art as far as I can take it. The message behind everything I create is positive energy. Recently I have been blessed with the opportunity to become a full time artist based out of Fort Lauderdale and I am eager to share my talents and unique style of art with the world.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been long and bumpy with many great high lights. The first major struggle was leaving my home in NYC to be an artist here in south Florida without exactly knowing how to do so. I found a great job that allowed me to explore and really develop my art while not worrying about paying bills with my art. In the beginning I would paint live at events for free. I would try to promote my work in every way possible just to get a chance to have my work seen. Many sleepless nights creating with no real cause just a burning desire to make art that I love. Over time life started to change. I got married, had my first child and the desire to make art grew with everything else in my life. This made it even more difficult but I was still determined to continue creating no matter the circumstance. Most recently was maybe the biggest hurdle of my creative career. In 2020 I lost my job to Covid and I lost my mother to Covid. As you can imagine to be creative with all this may be difficult or nonexistent, but with positive energy I was able to turn all the negative to positive and continue on my pursuit of creating art. In 2020 I was also blessed with the birth of my second child who also came at the perfect time to help me regain strength and focus to create with more purpose than ever before. What I have learned time and time again is that having a positive mindset will always help me get over the bumps in the road of life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a painter who creates with love and positive energy. My style of work is a unique cartoon style and is heavily inspired by Music, Nature and Spirituality. I would say that my work is known for two things the unique style in which I use colors and lines to tell my story also most recently I have been known for painting old school boom boxes in different styles. Something I do to pay homage to my upbringing in the Bronx. But what I feel really sets me apart from all other artist is that all of my work has a positive message. I create feel good art that’s sole purpose is to uplift and spread a positive message by using bright colors and stylized line work.
How do you think about luck?
It’s simple honestly. The harder I work the more “Good Luck” shows up and if I start to drag and lose focus well then comes “Bad Luck” or “missed opportunities” as i like to call them. I know if I keep pushing great things will come.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@csolano.com
- Website: www.csolano.com
- Instagram: @itz_csolano
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