Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jesus Trujillo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jesus, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
You know, there’s always this constant struggle trying to overcome imposter syndrome when it kicks in. It really does psych you out when you think you’re doing your best and then somehow that little ear worm likes to whisper sweet nothings about how you’re undeserving of the accomplishments and progress you’ve made. Truthfully, I think imposter syndrome will always be there with you. It’s just human nature at this point. That’s okay though, the best thing I can do to try and overcome this is just continuing to stay motivated and keep moving forward with whatever goals or dreams I got set for myself.
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?
Hello hello! My name is Jesus Cristo Trujillo and I’m an artist based in Arlington, Texas. I primarily make artwork with plywood and I try figured out cool ways to bend and curve these pieces. As of recently, my work has kind of taken a bit of a turn ever since I came back from my grandfather’s funeral in San Felipe, Guanajuato, Mexico last February. I’ve been basing my color palette from the city’s colorful buildings. I’ve also been exploring text and using Spanish phrases that come off either as insulting, aggressive or playful depending on the tone that it is used along with it. It’s been fun exploring the deeper meaning of things now and days as I make more art pieces. I feel like I’m slowly starting to become more self aware of myself and how I’m trying to express what I want to say. Though, it’s been a small progression eventually I’ll figure out a better way of explaining everything. So bear with me a bit haha.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Search for artist Opportunities:
Early on in your art career you’re probably not gonna know how or where to display your artwork or at least, for me I didn’t know in the beginning. It was a bit frustrating because not a lot of the art folks I knew back then ever really talked about it or encouraged applying to any of these things before. So now that I’m older and more experience I’d like to share a few sites that’s helped me in my art path. Call for entry (CaFÉ), MyMA, Friend of an Artist and even Instagram are great places to search about if you ever want to be apart of a group exhibition, or have your own solo show, or even in some cases, getting some sort of grant. So I hope that’s a bit helpful.
2. Know your tools:
I think learning how to use power tools is an essential skill you need to have, especially if you want to be an artist. Once you gain some experience with using those tools, you’ll realize how much cheaper it is to build your own canvases/panels than buying those lame flimsy ones from the store. You’ll also realize you can build/create artwork to your hearts content at that point. Like me for example, if I wasn’t for my drive to wanting to know more about how to use power tools I wouldn’t be able to bend and curve my wood pieces. In the end, you kind of start feeling more independent and a bit of a confidence boost when you know you can build things yourself and not have to rely on anyone as much.
3. Find your crowd:
Lastly, find a group of friends who motivate you and push you in the right direction in your early art career. It’s always nice to have a few liked-minded folks who have your best interests at heart. Apply to shows with them, collab with them in making an art piece or two, and be honest and genuine. It’s hard to find lasting friendships like that these days. The art world can be a rough place sometimes and it’s just nice to have someone there in your corner when the going gets tough.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
You know, I don’t really talk about this a lot but even though we have our differences every now and then, I am glad that they’re my parents. They both immigrated here to the United States from Mexico in the search of better life and opportunities. They always held a strong work ethic, and were always resilient when there were rough times. They never faltered and always found a way to provide for my siblings and I. My pops has this lawn care business that he’s been doing since the 80’s and I would remember not really seeing him a lot as a kid cause he would always be out cutting yards from the break of dawn to sunset. Eventually, around the age of 12 or 13 I would slowly join him with my brothers to go cut yards on the weekends. Sometimes it’d be on spring break, other times it would be during the summer. There wasn’t many vacations for us really. It was just work, work, work, we were just trying to survive. Eventually my older siblings would move out and it’d just be me, my pops and my mom mowing lawns. Truthfully, I hated it a lot as a kid but now that I’m older, I understand why we did what we did and why my parents would push us to stay in school. My pops would always say “Échale ganas en la escuela. Si no te voy a poner a cortar los yardas” Which means “Do good in school, if not I’ll make you cut yards” If it wasn’t for them allowing me to share some of their suffering, I wouldn’t be as motivated to push myself to get my Bachelor’s degree and to continue pushing my goals as an artist. I don’t want to waste the opportunities they gave me and that hopefully sooner or later I would like to return the favor by helping them out as much as I can when I’m even more successful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imjoniibass/
