I love attending art shows and markets whenever I get the chance because it’s amazing to see how others express themselves through all sorts of mediums. I attended the Renegade Craft market in LA last year where I had the pleasure of encountering Luis Zavala. Out of countless artists and vendors that I saw, he was one of the few that really captured my attention. His vibrant color palette, abstract techniques and use of cultural elements really resonated with me. His art has a way of evoking a sense of ease and content through his use of colors and feminine subjects.
I was happy to have gotten in touch with Luis Zavala to learn more about the artist behind the canvas and the inspiration behind his work.
it was also interesting to note that Luis is a firm believer in creating something out of nothing which is the same exact thought that inspired the creation behind NothingmagTV.
Enjoy the Q&A below!
1. Tell us about yourself, what’s your background?
My name is Luis Zavala I was born in Mexico and currently live in LA. My parents immigrated to the US when I was about ten years old so I’ve been living here most of my life. I had an early childhood interest in art but didn’t quite know what that meant. As an immigrant child, I didn’t know what my future held or what opportunities I would have. I didn’t know if I was going to find a job or do something with that passion but I ended up having the opportunity to go to school. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school and go to college.
I actually wasn’t intending to go to college, I just filled out an application because the girl I liked filled one out too. She ended up not going to school but I stayed there for four years. College is where I took my first art class which led me to become that art professor’s T.A for about three years. I later attended the Art Institute of Chicago which was a great opportunity to further my education.
2. How would you describe your style of art?
I think that my style of art stems from the rejection of the typical art school practice. Art schools tend to teach you to create based on the fundamentals which are great but I think that people often lose the sense of developing their creativity because they’re so busy developing the fundamentals. I would say my style has been shaped by all of the unlearning I’ve had to do over time.
3. What meanings do you intent to express through your work?
What’s most important to me is to express the sense of joy that I get when I make a piece. I want my art to express a state of mind that is playful, joyful and simple.
4. What is your creative process?
I don’t usually have a clear picture of what I am going to create when I sit down to make something. I tend to go into it with no idea of what I’m going to make and then it’s like my hand takes over and makes something happen. I think that the best ideas often come out of nothing and to create something out of nothing is such an amazing thing because it means you’re as present as can be with what’s in front of you. For me creating is not really about making something but more about how I’m choosing to spend my time. My work is really just a byproduct of the process of intending to put a focus on an activity.
5. Is there a certain person or experience that inspired you to pursue a career in art?
I have an uncle that is a painter which really inspired me as a kid. I remember passing by his art studio every day when I lived in Mexico, the interesting thing is that I never got to actually see his work because he was very secretive and would always paint with the back of the canvas towards me. I was curious but had no idea what he was painting and I think this kind of relationship really informed me about art and how it’s a thing that’s private but that you get to share if you really want to.
6. What is the most memorable experience you’ve had throughout your journey as an artist?
I would say the most memorable experience is the one I continue to have when I make something, its just therapy. I love getting into that space and creative flow because of all of the feelings it emits, it makes me feel good, excited and nervous all at once. For me, the process of creating a piece is more memorable than the act of completing it.
7. Which work of art was your favorite to create?
I really enjoyed creating “Her, Just do it” which is a painting I made out of Nike shoe boxes. This process was my favorite because it was very intuitive. I was looking at these cardboard boxes and began to see this parallel between the Greek goddess Nike and the brand itself and I just had to make something out of it. I enjoyed creating this sort of narrative that incorporated my interest in Greek deities as well as Nike’s meaningful slogan.
8. What feelings do you hope to evoke through your art?
I want my work to immediately speak to somebody that isn’t necessarily informed about art. My work is inspired by ancient art and its simplicity so I would like for it to display a sense of art history that evokes an old-school feeling.
Make sure to follow Luis Zavala on Instagram!
