Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Abella.
Hi Christopher, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Miami, FL. My parents are both Cuban immigrants who always raised me and motivated me to chase after my dreams. Working hard and never giving up is something that I would learn about myself later on in life. It has shaped me into who I am today.
From a very young age, as soon as I could hold a pencil, I found myself drawing/creating all day. Everyday was a different imagination. It was always a must for me to carry my art supplies everywhere I went. At eight years old, in the third grade, I started in the art magnet program at South Miami K-8 Center. Around that age, maybe earlier, I had also developed a strong interest in fashion design. At nine years old, my mother was able to get me private fashion lessons where I learned to render professional fashion sketches to the correct measurement. I continued creating/designing nonstop for a while. For a period of time, I was being interviewed on television for my art and designs that I was producing at such a young age. By age 11, I had my first fashion show consisting of several haute couture gowns and one wedding dress. I designed each one and guided a seamstress into creating them to perfectly match my vision.
When I started middle school, I continued my fashion design but had to focus more on school. I always struggled in academics so I had to invest a lot of time into my grades which I needed in order to attend my dream school, Design and Architecture Senior High. They accepted me in 2014 and I graduated in 2018.
At DASH, freshman year was only fine art, however, the second year is when you get to focus on your design major. I did three years of college-level fashion design classes there. My fashion design has always been geared towards elegant but trendy and timeless pieces. I often derive inspiration from art history, nature, and certain current events or topics that intrigue me. Other times my inspiration occurs out of the blue from my imagination and or particular visions of different fabrics put together. Sometimes I also like to test different materials/textiles to see what the outcome would be in the form of a garment. The results vary, good and bad, according to my own opinion of course.
In my fine arts classes in high school, I was able to develop my style and discover my affinity for portraiture/ figurative painting. My work consists of dramatic/experimental lighting to express different emotions. To portray and successfully execute these feeling in my paintings, I utilize a technique that was often used in the Baroque art period called chiaroscuro, an effect created by contrasted light and shadow. It occurs when a strong light is casted on a subject unevenly.
After graduating high school, I moved to New York City and attended Parson School of Design for fashion design while working part-time in retail. The first year was only core classes consisting of fine arts, digital art/design and some videography. Sophomore year is when I started my focus on fashion design. I started to struggle a lot when I had to balance my work and school, as well as finding the time to sew. My second semester was the same semester that the COVID – 19 pandemic began. It was the last time I was in school.
Unfortunately, like most people around the world, the pandemic took a toll on me financially and mentally. I was not in the right mindset to take fashion/art classes through a screen at home. Part of my learning process is being an interactive learner. I knew that the new form of online education would end up in rushed and poor results for me as a student. Because I had lost my job in retail due to the pandemic and I was not in school, I started working at a grocery store in upper Manhattan. It was the only job available at the time, which to this day I am more than great full for. It was a blessing in its time. That job, as well as partial unemployment, helped me pay bills and move between different sublets after having to leave the school dorms. Every semester I had hoped to return to school, however, it had become even harder financially for me to go back while having so many expenses. I was away from art and exploring my creative side for about a year and a half before things finally started taking a positive turn in my life.
In August 2021, I was given the opportunity to start an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop. Creating artwork on a completely different canvas, the human skin is one of the most unique experiences I have had. It’s a canvas that needs to be stretched as you work, it bleeds and reacts differently every time depending on the lines/shades that are created. I am now a working Licensed tattoo artist and work part-time in retail as well. I have recently gotten back into my paintings and design. Hopefully, I will be returning to school and continuing my fashion education soon.
Being based in Miami and New York, I see myself along the road having my own art gallery/studio where I will showcase my pieces. It is my plan to have my own designer company producing ready to wear, couture, and haute couture garments. I hope to soon see my art and fashion design in events such as the Met Gala, Art Basel, Art Miami, Academy Awards, etc.
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?
Like I mentioned before, the pandemic putting a pause on my creative time and financial stability. It did cause me to be depressed and drained of my energy.
Aside from that, growing up, although my father was in my life. I was mainly raised by my single mother. We definitely did not have it easy trying to support my career financially. Art materials, fabric and a lot of other supplies for my work is very expenses and not easy to finance. Coming up with solutions was a huge struggle but we were always blessed to somehow make things work out.
When I moved to New York, I finally came out as gay to my friends. However, I had not told my family yet. That came months later. When most of my classmates were going back home during the pandemic, I chose to stay. I did so because for one, I was determined on not giving up, and two because I was not willing to go back to living a hidden life. It wasn’t easy telling my parents because of the religious differences, however, we were able to talk it through and still maintain an amazing loving relationship.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I work and specialize as a tattoo artist. However, I plan to also build my career in painting and fashion design very soon so that I can have my own gallery/studio and fashion house under my name.
As a tattoo artist, I am very proud about how I change people’s lives sometimes. For example, there was a time I had someone come in for a tattoo. When I showed her the design I created for her, she couldn’t believe her eyes. She told me it was beyond what she was expecting and that all she had in mind was the simple reference photo she sent me. As I was tatting her, she told me a lot about herself and her struggles throughout the past years. She wasn’t feeling as happy as she used to be. However, when she looked in the mirror, she glowed and turned into a whole new person. Never in my life have I seen someone’s self-esteem change so quick. I truly believe that anyone who is getting art on their body permanently is worthy of receiving the opportunity to have the best they can get; above and beyond whatever expectations they had.
What sets me apart from others, which is something that I also take a lot of pride in, is my versatility within my work. Not just in painting and fashion design but also in my tattoo work. I can easily take on any style of art and know how to utilize many mediums. I currently paint with acrylic paint and create fashion design illustrations with markers and watercolor. However, in the past, I have worked with oil paint, charcoal, color pencils, ink, sculpting, photography, digital art/photoshop, linoleum printmaking, silk screen printing, Japanese brushwork, and more.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I have always considered myself to be risk taker. I always see it as a way to seek opportunities and or lessons in life.
So far, the biggest risk I have taken was moving away from home. I was 18 with no job and starting college. It was a very rough start that involved so many mistakes at the beginning. However, I do not regret any of it. Those mistakes have been the best life lessons I have received and now I can stand firm on knowing for sure that I will do better and continue learning.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @chris_a_921 @tinta.abella.blu @abella_artist @c._abella
