Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Mertz.
Jose, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Queens, NY and raised in Miami since 5 years old. I attended magnet schools for visual arts starting in 3rd grade. I graduated from New World School of the Arts High School in 1998 in downtown Miami and continued to study traditional drawing and painting in Baltimore, MD at Maryland Institute College of Art. I graduated in 2002 with a BA in painting and then decided to move to NYC.
During those years, I was introduced to the world of streetwear fashion and illustration. I helped launch a clothing company when I was 24 years old that was later sold to Liz Claiborne just 3 years later. Also at the same time I helped open a meditation school in Harlem when I was 24 to when I was 26 called “Peace on the Street”. I later decided to move back to Miami to be closer to family and get involved in the beginning stages of what we now know as “Miami Art Week” or Art Basel Week. I curated my own shows with friends, made my own products and worked on developing my own personal work in conjunction with doing freelance and designing for indie street wear brands around that time.
Since then with the growth of social media and street art becoming stronger online – It allowed me to meet new people and travel around doing murals, unique projects and exhibitions. Today I do the same but mainly developing my own personal work, collaborating with peers and freelancing for commercial clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. Being independent is never a smooth path generally speaking but I find it to be the most rewarding. I find that the key ingredient is the passion one has to have for their respective craft and eventually it will magnetize the right audience. Regarding visual arts, one of the struggles was being knowledgeable of the business and knowing what the market value is for different services, another is spending relentless hours trying to improve and generate original work and keep up with the evolution of what’s happening now with media and lastly, managing your personal life with your work life to name a few for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is an ongoing exploration of some of my personal interests which mainly revolve around eastern philosophy, science fiction, hip-hop culture, dreams and fluidity. I think I am mostly known for murals, paintings as well as digital art and tattoos. For the past couple years I believe people also recognize my stylized tigers and dragons.
I am mostly proud of the projects I have done and working with companies like Adidas, paramount pictures, Disney, Wu-Tang Clan to name a few. As well as doing collaborations with my close friends and peers that I respect.
I think was sets me apart from other artists is my sensibility to modify shapes and crystalize common objects with my own personal hand style DNA. Which was developed of years of exploring and spending hours of trying to find my visual way.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
No Risk, No Reward.
I believe just devoting your life to being a full on creative is an act of risk. Many times I have thought of just submitting to a regular mundane life where I work a 9-5 and collect a paycheck.. but honestly its too dry and I have seen more reward both financially and personally walking the creative path.
Staying true to yourself is a big key ingredient!
Another risk is knowing what works best for you and your vision. When I decided to move back down south it was a huge risk and gamble with the security I already created. I am glad I did though because I saw and experienced the entire development of Wynwood and got to participate in that growth, have an amazing son and I am close to the beach. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jose-mertz.com
- Instagram: @josemertz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josemertz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-mertz-4997392b8/
- Twitter: @josemertz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCQCfBcI9JkPKCCVJZr2quA
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/josemertz
- Other: http://www.studioinvcbl.bigcartel.com
Image Credits
All artwork and photos are owned by josemertz ©2024
