Life & Work with Sebastian Vargas

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

Hi Sebastian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up in Texas, throughout the early 2000s, there weren’t many creative outlets. Fortunately, my mother was an art teacher and other members of our family had been involved with the arts, so I was exposed to creative thinking at an early age. There was a lot of foreshadowing about my future with my interests as a child. A couple of years ago, my mother re-discovered an old composition notebook from my elementary school days and I found a lot of humor when reading it. Although I do feel like I naturally fell into my field as I got older, seven-year-old me seemed to have been pre-determined about this.

After high school, I didn’t find much interest in the career paths most of my peers decided to take. I only found myself interested to focus on one field of study and that was art. Of course, I had a strong love for literature, music, and fashion, but I figured those interests would influence all of my ventures one way or another down the line.

Throughout my undergraduate years, I found a mentor, networked, and attended every event I could even when it felt as if I didn’t belong in the room. Sometimes it still feels like that, but I don’t let those emotions get the best of me. If anything, learning from my mistakes is what got me where I am today. Staying consistent, kind, and straightforward with others, while also finding the balance between bathing in the light versus walking in the shadows.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s a lot of adversity and humility that comes with turning passion into a profession. I learned early on that it wouldn’t be a smooth road. In the past, there was always an awkward pressure when trying to integrate more into the growing creative scene in Phoenix, especially when I knew nothing about myself as an individual. It made a lot of moments confusing, especially when trying to establish myself as an artist at a young age.

Even now, there are times when I have to sit and reflect on the direction I’m headed. Once my purpose gets blurry that’s when I have to step back the furthest, but prayer, family, and friends keep me steady. What’s meant to be is meant to be. I try to remind myself the glass is half-empty and half-full, therefore if I just put my best forward without going astray then everything will fulfill itself with time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Right now, I specialize in printmaking and digital design, but I hope to keep exploring new mediums the way I currently am. I have a strong feeling that my upcoming projects will open new doors of opportunity that will lead me to more constructive experiences in the near future. I want to further the influence and utilization of the arts to constantly create narrative-driven work that is timeless, and purposeful.

Outside of my style, my work ethic and hustle set me apart from others. Once I have my mind set on an idea, discipline, goal, etc. I feel immovable. There are plenty of more talented and educated people in every industry I have my foot in, but I will do anything within my control to get to where I want to be. I try not to have a huge ego with my endeavors, especially because I would never want to bring those around me down that are also trying to follow their own path in life. At the end of the day, I’m only in competition with myself, and I believe the most impactful people in my life feel a similar way.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
Purpose.

The purpose is what matters to me the most. It’s what I stress about the most with every pursuit of mine. It’s the thought that keeps me up at night. It’s the fuel that keeps me moving during the day. It’s the energy that flows through every idea I conceptualize. Even on my worst days, I’m always reminded of my purpose and where the truth lies behind all of my decisions.

I can’t imagine who I would be in life if I didn’t recognize my purpose. Maybe I’d be everything I fear or maybe I wouldn’t be anything at all. That’s a narrative of life I’ll never live, but maybe one I’ll get a glimpse of in a dream.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sebxstixn.online
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sebxstixn.online/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/sebxstixn-link

Image Credits
Eleanor Carty @ellierosephotog, Tlaloc, @tlalocfbi, & @withdeathcomeslife