We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cassidy Argo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cassidy below.
Hi Cassidy, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
What motivates me most is the urge to become a better person and foster the connections that I make with the people around me. I always strive to be the best and kindest version of myself, and to hopefully make a positive impact in other people’s lives! My love for making art also shapes my purpose in life. I’m happiest when I’m in the process of making an artwork I really care about. I love painting, and I love it when people feel a connection with what I have created.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a figurative painter, I’m currently pursuing an MFA in Painting at the Rhode Island School of Design. I grew up in Rhode Island and got my BFA at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. After graduating, I lived in New York City for a couple of years. Now I’m very happy to be back in my home state for grad school! I’ve been creating a lot of new work in my studio, and I’m so grateful for all the people I’ve met so far at RISD.
In my paintings, I juxtapose emotions of comfort and discomfort. As a love letter to a haunted childhood, I play with contradiction in my work and represent the “haunted house” as a sentimental utopia. I find inspiration in the nostalgic aspects of my childhood, the eerie realms of horror, and the celebration of the strange and unusual.
Right now, I’m focused on learning, growing, and making lots of paintings! If anyone would like to see more of my work my
Instagram is @cassidy.argo and my website is https://cassidyargo.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Patience with yourself.
It was a big moment for me when I realized that panicking when things are fast-paced and stressful doesn’t do any good for anyone. I’ve learned to be kind to myself and trust that whatever I’m trying to accomplish will get done in the end.
A big part of confidence is pretending.
I’ve struggled with confidence a lot in my life. I’ve learned during difficult moments that it doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re confident on the inside, what matters is that other people think that you are. A big part of making people think you’re confident is pretending. Trust that you know what you’re doing, and somewhere along the way, you can gain that confidence in your own way.
A mentality that I feel is so important for creative people is to never strive to be the best artist in the room. To be the “best artist” feels good, but I find so much more value in surrounding yourself with artists that challenge you. Feelings of competitiveness don’t have to be a negative thing. As long as you show kindness to yourself and others, these emotions can motivate you to keep growing and strengthen your craft.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In 2023, I traveled outside of the US for the first time. In May, I traveled alone to Argenton-Chateau, France to attend a portraiture painting intensive at Studio Escalier. Then in August, I traveled to the Dominican Republic for a very fun and rewarding work opportunity with the National Youth Orchestra. I had never taken a plane by myself, didn’t speak the language in either country, and didn’t know anyone going into these experiences. I felt anxious about the possibility of things going wrong or if I could handle the struggles on my own. There were times when I made embarrassing mistakes, was confused, or lonely. Despite feeling out of place, I wanted to get the most out of the experience. In the end, I had an amazing time, I met so many great people, explored as much as I could, and learned so much. I now know that I am capable of so much more than I thought. I feel so much more confident going to new places and trying new things. In that time, I gained a lot of independence and growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cassidyargo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassidy.argo/
Image Credits
Photograph of Cassidy in studio was taken by a friend, Jade Peters
