We recently connected with Mario Navasero and have shared our conversation below.
Mario, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Confidence came graciously and self-esteem was developed. With being an artist or making art at an early age you just start to do stuff with a simple honest approach. When things start to click and make sense you start to find enjoyment and continue on. At some point a passion takes hold and desire pushing you more and more. So for myself that’s how confidence came about. As far as self-esteem, that came with how well I was functioning with it and life which is a very complex multifaceted thing. Support from family, friends and peers over time builds that for sure.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a professional artist now. I’m self taught and have made art since I can remember. I say professionally because that’s been more recent as far as it being a financial resource. I’m a painter I’ll get into more mediums in due time but painting is primary.
Putting myself in the art world happened because it was just time to “the calling” was loud. On top of that my world was crashing hard from losing a job, a heart wrenching break up and my father’s transition all within a short period. It was dire and I was lost. In that time of darkness, hurt and pain I had to create a light from within.
During the chaos I was making art again. Though reserved to show my art since high school for reasons I would create with purpose for another time. It’s always something I did instinctually and maybe more when I needed healing or just that place to go to.
A turning point came when I was hanging out to celebrate my friend’s mother’s birthday. As we were all leaving I noticed at that time a vacant Barnes and Nobles where artists were inside vending their works for East Bay Open Studios. I went home after and looked at places to check out. In short I started going to art shows and met artists in which I was kindly embraced. Eventually got my own art studio at Faultline Artspace in Oakland which I am currently at today.
As far as my art I’m a primarily abstract based painter. Throughout my youth on my own I studied and sponged up all the art I could. Even ripping art articles from magazines (pre internet) while waiting in dentist or doctor’s lobbies. Haha I was art 24/7 and I’ve painted all the traditional things and art-ism styles there were. I won highest honor awards and oddly in high school classmates would ask for my signature thinking I’d be somebody I guess. But that time is another story. It took about 20yrs before I came back to it as mentioned before.
In the tough world of an artist to stay afloat I have multiple types of work. I make custom framing for artworks. I might be one of the few to make from scratch in the sense that I mill planks of wood down, sand and finish. It’s hand crafted and unique in comparison to store bought. I also make wood panels and stretcher bars for canvas. I do light fabrication for art projects and install art shows for galleries and have worked in museums for such work. On the non build side I guest curate, art consult and am currently on PAAC board for Oakland CA. I guess I’m just super involved in the art scene now and have become a resource.
My love and passion has brought me so far in the arts. I’m very grateful to where I’m at today because I didn’t think this was the way it would happen.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As far as some qualities to what it takes. Ideally I think do what makes you happy. And hopefully that’s a healthy thing. Figure out what it is you like no matter what it is. Your love and happiness for it will only make whatever it is better you’ll grow. And don’t let the outside world’s opinion overwhelm your passion don’t be ashamed at all. When we all find what we’re good at we become that functional piece in the puzzle that helps everything else run well. We all have a job to do and no ones is the exact same. Just be happy that’s most important.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The best thing my parents have done is to give me Love and support. They’ve suggested certain careers and decisions for sure throughout the years but whatever I choose they didn’t complain just let me figure things out. They trusted me which is the extension of them raising me well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: mantistic
Image Credits
Luke Kreger Lydia Daniller
