Today we’d like to introduce you to Alberto Barron.
Alberto Barron, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’m a rambler so I’ll try and be brief with all of the questions…. I was born in and spent most of my early childhood in San Diego; moving to Tijuana for a short time then returning to south San Diego. Creation has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Need and necessity being the catalyst for creating the majority of the time. However, at times the creation came from a place of pure play and expression. I come from a very large, united, creative and loving family. We are far from perfect but are a huge factor in shaping me into the man I am. I have encountered many challenges from an early age in a wide range of departments ranging from cultural, to emotional. The first leg of my life as a young man was a very confusing time. At times simulating the ups and downs of violent turbulence. This compounded with the lack of emotional intelligence and insight led me to a very bad place. My overall health both physical and mental had worsened to a concerning state. Becoming self-aware of next steps on this path being to hurt myself or someone else beyond repair were pivotal in my changing direction.
I reflected on what I wanted for myself. As cheesy as it might sound, all I kept thinking was “I just want to be happy” as if it were going to fall from the sky and just land in my lap. A wise uncle who was very much one of my father figures told me “You are only going to figure it out trying new things”. That led me to making a bucket list of sorts to prioritize what made me happy & what I wanted for myself. During reflection it became apparent that art was always present and helped me through some very difficult times. Coming from a family that was very new to the United Stated, I wanted to know that I have the strength and resourcefulness to make it work in another country that I didn’t know the ropes in. My childhood ambition was to live in historic Rome, Italy. 30 days later I had already put in my two weeks, driven to LA to get my passport same day, sold all my belongings, purchased a ticket and said my goodbyes. That trip changed my life! I truly believe that without that first step I wouldn’t be here providing support to the youth I am today or on the creative plane that I have reached at this point. Long story short upon my return from spiritual reset of sorts I was directed to working in education at Monarch school (a school for families of children experiencing homelessness l-12) then onto San Diego Youth Services/Urban Beats where I am now working with Transition Age Youth (16-25) facilitating an Art empowerment program designed to break the stigma and stereotypes surrounding mental health and build up their artistic and independent living skills
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?
My personal artwork is not something that I push into the public eye as much anymore. I can go into how my troubled past led me to vandalism and how my graffiti past has influenced my visual art and become a sort of abstract reduction of my skills. BUUUUT I just like to create! I like to paint with acrylic, aerosols and watercolors, marker illustrations, collage work, photography, sculpture, music production, lyric writing, writing poems, stories, acting etc. I enjoy exploring anything creative; using a variety of materials to best express myself or communicate a message/emotion. My art is journey into myself where I can process, digest and direct all my personal experiences, views and opinions in a freeing manner. I still create in a number of mediums when self-care/reflection or play is needed. I continue to create using resources available to me in order to incorporate my personal environment and experiences into my artwork. My focus has shifted in converting myself into an open resource, launch pad and or artistic guide” for people. I really feed on connection with people. The synergy created when discussing ideas and exploring ways to make them better collaboratively is invigorating to me. At the end of those types of interactions is when I have the most energy and drive to create with passion. Honestly, I would say that my current art is – I like to invoke that passion in people, be it in whatever arena, I am going to get excited about exploring all possibilities in making their vision the most impactful. I want the things that I am working on now to have an impact one hundred year from now. Therefore, if I can inspire just one youth to explore all the benefits and joys of art and have them pass that on; I have succeeded in my mission/passion and hope the world will be a better place because of it.
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
This is a very loaded question for me. I feel very strongly about following your passion and believing that success will follow….. BUUUUUUT we all need money, right?! It is a fine line to walk when working to sustain yourself and fund those personal creative endeavors. Tracing it all the way back to my childhood and not having money for art supplies has led me to take on a practice of utilizing what is available i.e. re-purposed or found objects. Going for walks in my neighborhoods or nearby beaches and parks. Walking amongst the used things being sold at the spring valley swap meet where I spent most of my weekends as a young child. Get creative! Not only in the ways that you acquire materials but fund those projects. Garage sales, a specific service you can provide, play to your strengths. There is always a way to make it happen, the thing is maintaining that positive drive and belief that it will become a reality and leveraging your community and resources to ensure that. Preparation and planning are paramount even though I am nowhere close to where I’d like to be on those two subjects. Without proper planning and preparation projects can end up taking way more time than expected and costing way more as well. Bottom line to me is: If it is really your passion you’re going to enjoy the entire process not just the success.
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 personal artwork can be viewed on social media via Instagram & Facebook @arrowthreadz. My personal story talk on “context” can be viewed via Creative Mornings at:
http://creativemornings.com/talks/audience-takes-the-stage-251-1183/1
The Urban Beats program that I work with can be viewed via Instagram & Facebook, twitter @sdurbanbeats
Website: sdurbanbeats.org
The way people can support my artwork is through supporting their local art community. Attend art shows and cultural exhibitions, supporting young artists is the best way to keep the practice and its benefits circulating throughout the community.
Contact Info:
- Address: Social Media (Instagram & facebook) – @arrowthreadz
- Website: professional email : abarron@sdyouthservices.org
- Phone: professional contact # : (619)241-0000
- Email: personal email: albertobarron@hotmail.com
Image Credit:
Creative Mornings personal head shots by : Stacy Keck ; www.stacykeckphoto.com
Shoes photo shot by Raquel Mendoza of Outside The Lens
All other photos shots by : Alberto Barron : @arrowthreadz
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
