Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Byers.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
While I was in college studying illustration at Art Center College of Design, my dad asked me to paint a mural on his gigantic airplane hangar. It took me a month, and during that time I’d paint in the morning and take flight lessons with my dad’s friend in the afternoon when it got too hot. At the time, I was 21 and decided I wanted a medical marijuana card. I went to the marijuana doctor and somehow ended up showing him my art and the mural I had just painted. He ended up hiring me to paint murals in his five dispensaries, and my mural career began! After graduating, I was making money doing illustration jobs for bands, the New York Times, and food publications like Lucky Peach Magazine and I got a job offer to teach at a design university in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I went there to see if I wanted to take the job, but instead of taking it, I ended up meeting Aaron Glasson who would become my painting partner for the next four years. We traveled around the world painting murals and making art together but now we are doing our own things, and I’ve been working and traveling by myself for over a year and a half.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m an artist specializing in large-scale murals, painting, and illustration. I’ve also made experiential installations for music festivals. I make art because I love it and it gives me a sense of fulfillment. I mostly make art because I enjoy it but more recently I’ve been working with social justice, and environmental justice causes in order to use my powers for good in the world.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Look each other up and hang out! Or even try hanging out with people who aren’t artists. Everyone can teach you something. Surround yourself with people who will help you grow.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can see my murals on over 20 walls in the United States, 15 throughout Mexico, and a lucky few in New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. My work can be found on the internet at celestebyers.com and at @celestialterrestrial. I have a few smaller pieces up at Aloha Beach Club in San Diego and a large painting at A Ship in the Woods in Escondido. You can hire me to paint your wall or make you a painting. I also sell prints!
Contact Info:
- Website: celestebyers.com
- Email: celestebyers@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestialterrestrial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celestebyersart
Image Credit:
Celeste Byers
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