Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Gomez.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve been drawing my whole life, since before I could speak. It’s always been the most natural way to communicate with the world. Nature has always captivated me and when I was about 4 years old we moved from Los Angeles to Zion National Park in southern Utah. This is where I would spend the majority of my childhood completely immersed in nature exploring my environment and learning many lessons about the universe based on the natural functions of the world around me. At this point in my life I was drawing a lot of landscapes and objects around me such as still life. Lettering and graffiti was also very interesting for me. I loved having the overall idea already determined by the letters and what I had to do was think of the way to draw them in the most creative way possible. Very exciting! These two styles would stick with me through high school when I discovered graphic design. Once that took hold drawing was put on the back burner for about 5 years. I started a clothing company in high school, had my own screen press, designed and printed the clothing and really got in to everything graphic design through my early twenties. Then I started to feel the pull again to create art with my hands, something I could feel and touch with imperfection. Immediately I was drawn to mandalas, sacred geometry and ancient artwork. Something about those shapes being the building blocks of nature. If I could master that then I would really understand the world around me and how to paint it. So I gave myself a challenge. Draw with permanent ink, no eraser, no plan and no tools, completely organic and raw – first draft. I still create all my pieces this way. This year I’ve started to draw landscapes again. Starting with the desert because of all the inspiration it’s given me throughout my life. As I get older and dive further and further in to my art I realize how much of a profound effect growing up immersed in nature really shaped my reality.
As far as my art career, it didn’t come in to focus until 2014. I had just ended a relationship of many years which made me take a big step back and really reevaluate my life. What was my purpose, how was I spending my time? I knew that art was the one true thing I had always loved and could never get enough of so I decided to make that my primary focus. In October 2014 I had my first art show and from there things have really snowballed. I’ve continued to show my art regularly and paint as a live artist at many events in Southern California. Create all kinds of works from canvases large and small to murals, body art, sand mandalas and more recently laser etched wood and agate pieces with my line work permanently etched in to the material.
Please tell us about your art.
I mainly create mandalas and designs influenced by ancient artwork and sacred geometry mixed with an organic more free form approach. All of my artwork is freehand, drawn with permanent ink, without a plan, tools or guides. To understand the building blocks of life. Symmetry, repetitive shapes and designs that build off of one another is what everything comes down to in the fractal universe that we live in. I enjoy learning about this as I continue to further my craft and create designs no one has ever seen before. Little worlds within worlds. It’s thrilling to create something without any idea of how it’s going to turn out. It’s also very meditative. What’s the message? Hmmmm… The natural beauty in life all around us. The organic symmetry of everything. Life is BEAUTIFUL. Completely exquisite.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I don’t think the role of an artist has changed based on the current state of the world. My purpose is to amplify the beauty of this world, to come from the most authentic place in myself as possible and inspire those around me. The world will always be in a constant state of flux, its part of the process. The events and or issues in the world happen but they don’t affect my art. My art is the purest expression of myself. It’s very much an internal journey. The external world doesn’t play much of a role.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Instagram is the best place for people to keep up with my ongoings. People can find me painting and showing my artwork at local events between San Diego and LA primarily. Events are up to date on social media and my website. You can support in person at shows or contact me for a commission.
Contact Info:
- Email: art@caseygomez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gomezevolve/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseygomezart/
Image Credit:
Jamie Rosenberg
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