We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carlos Echeverria a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carlos, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
For the most part I’d have to say its from my mother. Never in my life have I ever seen her face something head on in fear or insecurity. Although I have many times, I always think of how she would tackle that specific moment, and its a daily reminder that being raised by an incredible, loving and confident human, can help in navigating life. I think sometimes we try to find the confidence and self-esteem within us, where I think searching for it in important people in your life can help you replicate those skills.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Well I’m a painter, Its the one thing I’ve been doing since I was a kid. It’s funny how we grow up, we start to look for career paths, ways to of course make a living, create a life, and somewhere along the way, we forget – the one thing we have always been, for me its always been a painter. The most exciting thing about this journey has been that moment I remembered who I was, and what I was meant to do, it brought balance, happiness and peace back into my life.
My work aims to bring people decorating their home, their business, whether they are single, couples, whatever a way to mix their love of the outdoors while having a piece that is aesthetically pleasing. When sharing a home, its important for people to find works of art they both enjoy walking past everyday.
I’ve recently returned from a trip to Paris, where I proposed to the love of my life – that being said, theres something worth noting about the way we see the world when were lucky enough to feel love. I’ve come back with an assortment of new colors, ideas and perspective that I hope resonate in my upcoming series.
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?
1) Being a good listener – for me the best way of processing information, capturing memories, is the art of silence. One quote the always stuck with me, believe it or not, its from the movie “Garden State” is –” People are never really listening, they’re just waiting for the turn to speak” –that has always resonated with me and i think one way to become a better artist, is to listen to other people’s experiences, digesting it all, and turning the page.
2) Find your pack. Being a dog dad has taught me that finding your pack matters. The days of the lonely depressed artist no longer have to be so! — You don’t have to go through life, or an artistic journey alone. You also don’t have to let everyone IN but having a small but valuable support system will take you farther, healthier, happier.
3) Knowing what you’re good at, and what you’re not. Being self aware of your skills, what you are choosing to improve or what you choose to just let be, is important. it will shape who you are as a person and as an artist, it will grant you the one thing we all strive to be which is.. unique!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
This is a great question. No matter how many lists you put together to organize your day, your week, your month, getting overwhelmed doesn’t always come from tasks. I used to say that i suffer from sensory overload, but i stopped wording it that way, it’s not something i suffer from, its a part of who I am. I think for starters, being kinder to yourself is a step in the right direction which will let your mind and body know that the glass is going to overflow soon, and maybe its time to catch your breath.
Being an artist is not my full time job.. YET! — I do have a demanding day job that I enjoy but balancing the 9-5 me vs the artistic side of me has been an overwhelming journey. My only saving grace and my best advise and strategy is BOUNDARIES.
The full separation of church and state, work and painter is a must. even from a visual perspective, i have my office in my art studio, but my desk doesn’t face my art work, my supplies, my drawing table, none of it, and my art studio doesn’t face my desk.
I’m a firm believer that finding peace and not getting overwhelmed is all in the details.
and if all else fails, take a walk – catch your breath, walk your dog, go out into nature, nothing revitalizes me the a long walk.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aboutbrooklyn.com
- Instagram: @aboutbrooklyn
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/c-echeverria-7404a82b4
Image Credits
all images are my own @aboutbrooklyn
