We were lucky to catch up with Sergio Arce recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sergio, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
My generosity stems from a profound gratitude for the kindness I’ve received during hard times. Having experienced firsthand the impact of strangers and my community lifting me up, I’m driven by a desire to pay it forward. By helping others, I aim to inspire a ripple effect, encouraging more people to extend a helping hand to those in need, creating a cycle of compassion and support.
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?
Sergio Arce, better known as Registered Artist, is an urban pop artist based in Miami. Born in Managua, Nicaragua, his father brought him to the United States to escape his family being persecuted by the communist Sandinista regime when Sergio was an infant of three months. Growing up in Miami surrounded by an artistic family, his older cousins sparked his interest in art by exposing him to the fine arts and craft work at an early age. Sergio never attended art school. His passion for constantly improving and learning new techniques fuels his artistic journey. His art is influenced by mid-century pop art such as Roy Lichtenstein and comic book art, and manifests as murals, wheat pastes, stencils, decals, and stickers. His murals can be seen all over Miami and Florida, plus around the country and globe in places such as Mexico, Kansas City, New Orleans, and NYC.
A lifetime lover of science, Sergio’s pseudonym Registered Artist stems from his decade-long career as a registered nurse. He is very passionate about giving back to the community through projects like Free Art Friday, a global project whose Miami chapter Sergio started, where the public can acquire new artwork for their collection through an urban scavenger hunt with participating artists who gain exposure and a spot on the walls of somebody’s home. His latest project, AWallMurallProjects, focuses on bringing murals and art workshops to blighted communities and schools, fostering early exposure to art and the power of creation to the youth. As a single father of 2 beautiful girls, his strong work ethic reminds them to dream big, to never settle and to always follow what their hearts truly desire.
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?
In my journey, the three most impactful elements were a relentless pursuit of self-improvement in my art, resilience in the face of rejection, and a belief that failure is a stepping stone to growth. To those early in their journey, I’d emphasize the importance of continuous learning and honing your craft. Cultivate resilience, viewing rejection not as a roadblock but as an opportunity to evolve. Understand that setbacks are part of the process, offering valuable lessons. Embrace challenges with a growth mindset, allowing them to shape and refine your skills. Ultimately, let your passion for improvement, resilience, and a positive perspective on failure guide you towards realizing your dreams in the long run.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“The Tao of Inner Peace” has significantly influenced my development by adapting ancient Taoist principles to the complexities of modern life. Among its valuable wisdom, the book emphasizes the importance of balance, guiding us to integrate various aspects of our daily existence harmoniously. It highlights the transformative power of embracing both challenges and joys, recognizing them as interconnected parts of a dynamic whole. The notion of finding inner peace amid life’s hustle resonated deeply, offering a perspective that transcends conventional dichotomies and encourages a holistic approach to personal well-being.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @registered_artist
- Other: @awallmuralprojects is my nonprofit organization Instagram
