Meet Arnoldo

He's such an inspiration and we're sure all of you will be stunned. Before we move on to the artwork from our star, let's get to know him more. Here we go!!!

Name: Arnoldo L. Romero

Blog: A.L.Romero Art and Design

1.     Tell us a little bit about yourself.  I worked in various areas of advertising art after I got out of college, but have now been in the education field for over 20 years.  I was even in school administration for 9 years, but never had time to work on my artwork.  Therefore, I am now a Gifted and Talented Specialist at a local elementary school.  I love it, because I can nurture my students’ natural creative abilities in various areas of their academic lives.  Although my position can be very stressful at times, I have the weekends and summers to work on my other passion - art!  I can work on pieces for art shows and private commissions, make cards, and teach private art lessons.  Most importantly, read, explore and create, so that I can continue to grow as an artist.  Last summer, I launched www.arnoldolromero.blogspot.com, which has truly helped me, network in art fields around the world.  That's so exciting and rewarding to me.  God willing, this summer I'll be able to open an Etsy shop.

2.     When and how did you start cardmaking?  I started making cards since I was a child - my mother still has a couple of them.  However, I stopped when I was a teenager.  Then, in the late1980's when I was working on my masters, I started making them again.  I didn't have much money, so it was an inexpensive way to say, "I love you" to friends and family.    They loved them, because they were miniature works of art.  There weren't any stamps, specialty papers, or punches back then, so it was purely my artwork.  After I got married in the 1990s, it became a family tradition for me to make all our family members' cards.  They all treasure them.  I was very touched when my wife found a stack of them at her grandmother's home after her passing a couple of years ago.

3.     What inspires you to create?  I am very family oriented, so my wife and daughters often inspire me.  In addition, I love nature, children, fine art, antiques, vintage items, travel, and dogs.  However, in the center of it all, is my Lord, Creator, and Savior.  Therefore, His presence is usually very much evident in my work.

4.     What is your favorite technique? Why?   I guess if I was going to narrow it to a technique, I love mixed media collages.  They allow me to use multiple media in them and there are various techniques to work with each of them.  I love watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, markers, and inks.  Since I like to draw, I use stamps primarily for backgrounds, stamp collages, and to tie-in a composition.  I have carved some of my own stamps, and would love to design them to sell someday.  In addition, mixed media collages allow me to incorporate my calligraphic and lettering skills.

5.     Who are your favorite papercrafters at the time? Why?  Hmmm!  I believe that sometimes there's a fine line between paper crafters and fine artists.  Therefore, my list includes both, because they all have worked with paper sometimes, so have influenced my work to various degrees.  Here it goes; my favorite crafters and artists that use paper are Paul Jackson, K Werner, Michael Jacobs, Tim Holtz, Jane Davis, Nita Leland, Carlos N. Molina, Maryjo Koch, Kathy Cano Murillo, Terry Taylor, Maryjo McGraw, Eric M. Scott, David R. Modler, Eric Carle, Tracy Bautista, and above all, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.

6.     Describe your style.  As I mentioned in a recent post, my art decisions come from a combination between intellect and gut feelings.  Therefore, my style is often a combination between realism and abstract art.  It's definitely very artsy, and seldom do I use cutesy figures.  However, I do like to use whimsy and illustrations that appeal to children.

7.     Are you on any design teams at the time? Have you been published in any magazines?  No, I'm not currently in any design teams, but am certainly open to the idea.  My current goal is to eventually support myself through my art endeavors.  I've also never been published in a magazine.  However, I have had my fashion illustrations and a couple of logos I designed published in newspaper ads.  I have also been featured in local newspaper articles when I’ve had art shows in town.  As to my cards, I've had 3 fellow bloggers post pictures of my cards on their blogs, and have been awarded several challenge badges.

8.       What is your favorite thing(s) about creating?  The excitement of having my ideas materialize!

I'm sure your hearts skipped a beat when viewing these pieces!!! The style, color combination and the imagination are just superb... Thanks Arnoldo for sparking our creativity this Friday!!! Thanks to our visitors too for peeking :)  Fun-tastic Friday...