Be sure to RSVP to see Juan Anguiano's painted works at the next Long Beach showcase on Thursday, August 26th! He talks to RAW about his work. 

Tell us about yourself.
I originate from Oregon, as a kid I moved from to place to place. I recently moved to Long beach. I had always watched the art world from behind a gate but was always afraid to enter. My parents always discouraged any attempt at art. It wasn't until my junior year in high school, that my first art teacher encouraged me to paint. I fell in love with it, each brush stroke was endless and soothing. I was afraid of not knowing anything about art; I had no idea what value was, proportions, color blends, but I learned fast. I gave up my academic path and decided to dedicate my senior year in all art classes. From there, I no longer looked into the art world, I was inside. I have been painting for about two years and I plan to continue, I have tried other mediums but painting is what I like most.

How would you describe your aesthetic? 
The beauty of a forgotten reality that lingers in the corner of the mind. 

From where do you draw inspiration for your work? 
Usually the personalities of people, the existence of humanity. The ideas and thoughts I derive from people. Music and reading get ideas flowing as well.

What do you love most about what you do?  
That I can take something as simple as a dream or thought and transform it, make it a shard of my reality for people to see and admire. I love that it helps me escape.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art? 
Photography, to capture a second of life inspires me to depict that second and make the idea endless. 

What sort of techniques do you most like working with? 
I have a weird way of doing things, I usually start with a medium light tone and go dark and then light after, I do background first and work to foreground.

Are there any artists or art movements, past or present, that strongly inform and influence your work?
MONDRIAN, Piet, He is my greatest inspiration. I learn from him a concept of complexity in simplicity. The misunderstood artists always inspire me because they show people something they no longer see. Others like Jackson Pollock inspire me also, because as unique as their art is, many people forget that simplicity is also of great value.

Any previous exhibitions/collaborations that you are particularly proud of? 
Won Grand Prize at the Oregon Garden Earth Day poster contest, My two shows at the EMERGE event at the Coffee House Cafe in Salem, Oregon.

Any accomplishments/goals you hope to achieve as an artist in the future? 
Impress someone to give me a contract or have me do shows anywhere. Create more art that people would love to keep.

Why showcase at RAW? 
It is a good place to expose yourself as an artist. It seems like a nice community and safe environment to emerge as an artist.

Favorite thing to do outside of your craft? 
Take adventures with my gypsy bag. :)