Check Out Sebastian Estrada’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Estrada.

Hi Sebastian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I would watch my dad create wood carving religious art and my oldest sisters drawings. I also grew up in a very musical family which inspired my passion for music production. I only started taking drawing seriously when I turned thirteen. I was very inspired by the surreal dream like and honest art from artists like Frida Kahlo and religious Mexican retablo art. One of the greatest influences on my art is music. Certain sounds remind me of colors or patterns, so the music I listen to greatly inspires my own music and art. The Album cover from Weyes Bloods Titanic Rising is a piece of art that changed the trajectory of my life with with its production, art, and writing. The unexpected look on the womens face as she floats in a messy childhood room with blue and purple walls submerged under water really speaks to me. That scene is so vulnerable and intimate which is exactly the atmosphere of intimacy I strive to recreate through my art and music. Being raised Catholic and going to Brophy a Jesuit high school, of course religion has deeply impacted the art and music that I write, especially the poetic aspect of religious text and prayer. Each piece of mine is a prayer or a reflection of my subconscious.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel mentally drained at times often leading to periods of art block. Art has always been a diary for me, but at the same time my secrets don’t get to be kept to myself as I share them with the world breaking the barriers of taboo topics. We all have our moments of sadness and I portray those a lot through my art because it is my way of healing and better understanding myself. It is especially hard to talk about my art when it deals with world issues that are uncomfortable. However, I’ve gotten more comfortable sharing my story as I’ve found how many have found solace through my art.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love tragedy, but more specifically the romanticised stories like that of Orpheus and Eurydice. Myths and fairy tales help me process my own tragedy with a more positive outlook and give me something to believe. In my art I portray all the things of life, shame, insecurity, misfortune and sadness. These not so appealing topics are shown under a brighter light to showcase the truth and beauty of the human experience. My style and way of showcasing vulnerability, along with my colors and technique, truly set me apart from the rest. My main mediums are primarily paint and pencil on paper, but I do love sculpture with clay and as of recently making masks. I’ve recently gained a spark for photography which is helpful when shooting cover art. I love DIY culture so much and is a great part of who I am. Another passion just as strong as art is music. I constantly have new albums on rotation and I love to play piano and guitar. I recently won the congressional art competition for my district so I got to fly out to Washington D.C where my painting got hung up in the Capital tunnel. I got to meet young artists like myself from all across the country who also won. Being featured in the On The Edge Gallery in Old town Scottsdale will be my first time every being in a gallery which is so extremely exciting. lol

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Almost all the good things in my life I have worked for whether that be my art through practice or my relationships with people by nurturing them every day. However, I am very open minded and believe that sometimes the stars just do align in my favor giving me the things I pray or manifest about. However, it has been pure dedication and work that has brought me to where I am now. No one should ever wait like Rapunzel in a tower to be given their dream life. You have to want it with all your heart, and if your dream doesn’t scare you, then you’re not dreaming big enough.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sebthesilybilly?igsh=MW85dzZ1ZXJvMWZjNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AngeloAliasmusic
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sebis..silly?_t=ZT-8yCoBfyrTzR&_r=1

Image Credits
Sebastian Estrada-all photos and art