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Meet Adrian Fuentes

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Fuentes.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Not sure how unique my story would be, like most other artists it started at a young age. My mom would say I was the kid that got in trouble for coloring on walls but after 27 years it’s hard to remember as such.

In school I would always get into some sort of trouble by more than one teacher from doodling in class when I should be paying attention. Eventually these doodles progressed and turned into sketches and drawings but just because my art was getting better doesn’t mean my teachers appreciated them any better. One of the first things I can recall drawing was Dragon Ball Z. That’s kind of where it started, around 5th grade or so where I actually tried to focus and get better at drawing.

I always enjoyed art classes but never felt connected. In the art world being different is okay but even then, I still felt out of place. Over the years of consecutive drawing and art classes I was able to hone my skills and techniques but it wasn’t until 2003 when I came across a medium that I came to enjoy and have done ever since.

Fast forward to now. I am still creating art but these days I’m always looking for ways to expand my creativity. Always learning and trying new things however one thing still remains the same. I realize now that Drawing Dragon Ball Z was a way to connect to the show, the developers, and the strong-willed characters I admirer so much. At last I’m finding that place where I fit in. Most of all of my work now is based on how I can find a way to connect to what to my hero’s and inspirations.

Please tell us about your art.
The correct definition of my art style would be Pyrography. It’s a technique of decorating wood by burning a design on the surface with a heated metallic point. In 2003 I came across a wood burning tool and thought how awesome it would be to turn my drawings into burnings. I was comfortable with line work and the greyscale so with applying that knowledge this could turn my art into something that is a little more permanent than pencil and paper. I’ve been burning on wood ever since and is my main focus.

Around the same time, I also started learning to make Spoon Rings from antique spoons. This was just something I happen to come by chance. I remember seeing one and it intrigued me so greatly that I set out to make one for myself! I still have one of first few I ever made, and it reminds me that you will never know if you don’t try. All I needed was rubber mallet and ring sizer and the will to do so.

Both with wood burning and spoon rings I get very excited when I come across what other people wouldn’t take a second glance at such as scraps of wood and old spoons. With so much variety in shapes, sizes, and use. My art has become full of possibilities. After countless rings and burnings, I realized that people were starting to double glance at the same pieces in a different light.

There are machines with lasers that can easily burn just about any image at any size on whatever piece of material, just as there are machines that can bend spoons into rings. I never been fortunate enough to work with such equipment is what I used to think. I have always liked creating and learning with my hands. While I do see how it would be nice to have such things, to me it kind of takes away from that creativity. Just about anybody can print a picture from a computer or place a piece of metal into some rollers. While participating at a First Friday event someone had asked me if my work was used with a machine. I took that as compliment as the person went on saying that’s the way I should do it. I still think about that from time to time when I make something that took time, patience, and technique. I will always do it this way just as I have been.

So, the hope would be that other people see that too when they come across my work. The time and skills that went into it. While I can say you will find other spoon rings out there, you will never find a piece of art like mine because it’s all original. The only one of its kind, no duplicates, and even custom to you. My inspiration comes from what inspires and intrigues me. A way to connect to that and be a part of that. People wouldn’t realize by glancing at my work, but it has helped me through some tough times. Those pieces of art are also pieces of hope. I don’t make art to make a profit, I don’t make art for popularity, I don’t even make art for art’s sake. This is something that I do for myself and always have. It makes it all the better when I do come across people that like what I do.

More recently I started learning to design on shoes with the help of a very talented person to the thanks of their lessons. I made a pair for my 6-year-old daughter just in time for new school year and they turned out pretty well, so this could be the start to something new.

What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I feel as time goes by people are coming up with more and more things because there is a lot that has been done already. So, it kind of depends on the type of artist you are. If you’re an artist that is wanting to stand out from all the others and make it a career out of it, then I would say it’s going to be harder of a time although not impossible.

The only advice I can give is to really think about what you want to get out of your art. Do you want to make art for a living, do you want it to get noticed, to share with others? All these things should be considered and will help you find the right path to take. Everybody wants something different in life.

It’s kind of tricky to say if it has become harder nowadays or not. To some people it really does just come that easy to them with knowing the right people and finding the right crowd. For other’s they must work hard every day with putting themselves out there.

For me personally my art was to neither get popular and make money. Like I mentioned before my art was to help me and find like-minded individuals, so I never faced any of those hardships. Only because I don’t think I would enjoy my art as much if I didn’t create things for myself and cared what other people thought of it. Besides custom orders which are always a joy and an artistic challenge but once I started thinking of what I could make that would sell that took some of the fun out of it for me and would no longer be making the things I enjoy in life.

Which is way I am extremely grateful for this opportunity because I’ve been plugging away doing my own thing for quite some time now and hopefully some good connections will come out of this. Phoenix is a pretty art driven place as well as community. There’s a lot of inspiration around here so I would recommend other cities to be more open minded with the arts. Holds art walk events such as First Fridays downtown Phoenix. Even like this magazine that searches for the hidden local talent rather then what’s most popular or current. There’s a lot of hidden wonders waiting to be discovered.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I will be attending First Friday downtown Phoenix on September 7th. That would be a good way to see the work in person and have a chat with me. My Instagram @_unfulfilled_potential

This would be the best bet to see all the art posts and videos of projects I’m currently working on. I’m pretty active on their and respond back to all. Open to suggestions and custom orders!

www.burntwoodys.storenvy.com

Is an online shop I made to help start cleaning out the mass cutter of art and find homes to like-minded people that would appreciate the work? I take support from wherever I can get it. I always enjoy the positive comments, that’s probably my favorite but even a simple like and taking the time to look is all great for me.

There are occasions where people will buy a piece of art which for me is just and amazing feeling. Coming across someone that is willing to spend their hard-earned dollars on something you made from nothing is one thing but also to share that common interest and extended that connection to what inspires me. Buying a piece of art helps me to expand my craft and creativity. In most cases you usually get a little something extra with your order to show the appreciation.

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Image Credit:
Ethan Rhoads

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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