Local Artist Spotlight: Daniel Flores

Monday, October 20, 2014

We're teaming up with WonderRoot to highlight local artists from their 2014 Art CSA. Inspired by agricultural CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), they have set up a Community Supported Art program in which folks can buy a share and get 6 unique piece of art created by local artists. How cool is that?

Our Eat Local, Art Local partnership will highlight each of these local artists as they prepare for the debut of their artwork at their Pick Up Party. The thrid Pick Up Party is this Thursday, October 23rd from 6:30pm to 8pm at the The Low Museum, featuring two very talented local artists: Terri Dilling and Daniel Flores. The event is open to everyone and anyone. You can RSVP here.

We shared a meal with Daniel and chatted with him about his art, his experience with G&G and more...

G&G: Tell us about your style of art?

DF: My art is a combination of Batman comic books, 80's era Saturday Morning cartoons, Fantasy Art from Heavy Metal Magazine and stories of the Aztec Gods who led a group of people from Nomadic Warriors to the Aztec Empire. My style of art has evolved with a bit of everything and I use bold lines to show depth and volume. My favorite things to draw and paint are people, superheroes and gods are fun because of their story and because their clothing and costumes are supposed to tell a story about who they are.

G&G: Tell us about the pieces you’ll be doing for the art CSA

DF: For the WonderRoot CSA I combined my love for drawing, painting and Aztec Mythology. I was born in East Los Angeles and Aztec history is in every mural in my neighborhood. I've been drawing Aztec Gods and Heroes since my Fourth grade history teacher shared stores of the Aztec Empire. I want to share some of those stories.

I love the work WonderRoot does with the Arts Community. I support their work to the point that for the last 3 years my wife and I have reached out to the local artists and set up art business support workshops and classes including a yearly conference we call Art Is King. Its our way to give back to up and coming artists by sharing some of the experiences and lessons we have learned in my 18 year career.

G&: What is your process like?

DF: Sometimes it takes me a while to get in the artist zone, it depends on the level of difficulty of the project and if there are others around me. I draw and paint best when there is a crowd or noise in the background. I come from a very hectic culture and background noise doesnt bother me, it actually helps me focus. I cant explain it beyond that. When I create alone in my studio, I must have: music playing in the background, a movie or my favorite TV show; Judge Judy and my mug of coffee. It takes me a while to settle in but once I start I can paint or draw for hours nonstop.

G&G: Where do you get your inspiration?

DF: My creativity is constant. The ideas come from every thing around me and sometimes its difficult to stay on task. I have to write things down and keep track of my list of current projects. Its a constant exercise. I love it becuase I dont have those Artist Block days. I'm never bored and I feel its my duty to produce art that someone will relate to.

G&G What does local mean to you & why is it important to support local?

DF: By supporting the local artists, we support the local arts business community and allow art to flourish in Atlanta to eventually grow to the level of Los Angeles and New York. Im from East Los Angeles and I grew up with art all around me. I see the same growth happening in Atlanta right now and I will invest of myself as an artist and as a art buyer to help make it happen.

G&G: What do art & cooking have in common?

DF: I enjoy a beatufilly designed and tasty meal. That's how I look at art. In art there is talent and then there's a message to be communicated for deeper digestion.

G&G: What do you usually cook at home?

When I was a preteen, my mother taught my brother and I how to cook. I think she did that so she wouldnt have to cook anymore and she would have more time for her knitting. My mother creates art her own way with yarn and a sewing machine. My brother and I learned the basics to Mexican Cuisine and we have not stopped cooking since.

Mexican food can get complicated especially for dishes like Tamales. So I stick to the favorites: Beans, Rice w veggies, potatoes and lots of pork dishes. I really enjoy cooking breakfast meals that include eggs over easy and chorizo.

G&G: How did you enjoy your experience with the G&G meal?

I'm excited by new recipes. I like experimenting and coming up with new dishes that are simple and delicious. I like watching cooking shows on TV and I wonder who has the time to collect all those ingredients into one kitchen. I look through the farmers market for dishes to try out but I'm afraid to waste so I end up sticking to what I know. G & G made it real easy for me to try out a new recipe without the fear of failure!

G&G: If you could be a fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why?

If I could be a fruit then I would be a watermelon. I enjoy the process of picking the taste of a watermelon by touching it (even though Im not sure if that makes a difference.) My dad used to have a process to pick the watermelon by slapping it, digging his thumbs around the ends and finally announcing that this watermelon was ready. I make sure I buy a watermelon per week when they are in season. I eat watermelon by itself, I eat it with some salt and cayenne pepper powder (The Mexican way) and I even juice the watermelon and drink it.