Meet Andre Rocha

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Rocha.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My story begins with memories of hanging around my dad’s office with my older brother. As an art director in advertising, his office was filled with creative works of all kinds, and he encouraged us to explore our creativity. My brother, as an illustrator, took to this immediately — creating things I thought I never could. Growing up, I identified more as an athlete, playing all of the soccer, baseball, and basketball I could. It was until the end of my high school years where I began to appreciate, understand and explore the creative field. Being exposed to the advertising industry early in life, I always had a different perspective on fine art than many of my teachers and classmates. I didn’t have the kind of technical training that those who took art classes in school did — my foundation was more raw, organic and street. The beauty of this industry is there are many ways to do something, and I took risks and was fearless in how I created work — I took the road less traveled when it came to my peers. I began in graphic design and didn’t pick up a camera until my senior year of high school where I met and began working with my mentor, William Olgiun, one of the best local Tucson creatives I’ve seen. Eventually, I began art school at the University of Arizona where they taught me about being an artist. I became more intellectual with my work and began to blur the lines between fine art and advertising. This space is where I live and thrive now. After going through college, I knew creative advertising is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Perhaps it’s just in my blood. Being a creator, I love pursuing big ideas and executing at the highest of my capabilities. We live in a digital world where content is being created by the second and by the millions. As a creator, I feel that now is the most important time to be making work. Work that is going to provoke change and influence the world – and that’s where my story continues.

Please tell us about your art.
I always have a pencil in my hand. I’m always making notes and sketching and whenever I get an idea I think has something in it I put it down somehow. Luckily I have very good concentration. There’s inspiration all around us – it’s just about paying attention to the details. I can’t really label myself as something specific, I’m simply a creator. I design, photograph, film and everything in-between that. I follow my bliss, my heart, and my intuition – My job when I create is to bring a surprising idea to life. An idea that when you see it or hear it, you immediately understand it. I seek to influence you, inspire you, make you feel happy or provoke you to change or feel angry. My work is centered at an idea – From there it can manifest into many different things, but the core of the idea will never change. The work I do is creative advertising, working with brands, companies, etc. But aside from working in advertising I also pursue my own creative projects where possibilities and boundaries are endless.

My most recent body of work was a series called “Mi Gente” which was a personal project that was rooted in my culture and blood. For about five months I was photographing in the border town of Nogales, Mexico. By utilizing the resources I have in Nogales, I was able to enter sub-communities ranging from youth culture to street culture, to capture individual stories. This allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of people’s circumstance, whether through a full conversation or a moment of engagement with my camera. My aim was to flip the message on President Trump, rather than “making America great again”. I aim to show some of those who have already contributed to America’s greatness. If there’s one thing that Mexico has taught me; it’s that Mexico isn’t defined by 120 characters, it’s defined by the millions of people who are just like you and I.

When it comes to creating, I believe that you can be cautious, or you can be creative, but there’s no such thing as being a cautious creative. We must have the fearlessness and courage to do what some of us are born to do – create.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Follow your bliss. That which you love and spend your life doing, as passionately and as perfectly as your heart, mind, and instincts allow. The sooner you identify that bliss, which surely resides in the soul of most human beings, the greater your chance of a truly successful life. In terms of being creative, being careful guarantees sameness and mediocrity, which means your work will be invisible. Better to be daring than careful. Better to be bold than safe. Better to have your work seen and remembered, or you’ve struck out. There is no middle ground. It’s cause and effect, you gotta sweat it out, grind it out – nothing comes from nothing. You must continuously feed the inner beast that sparks and inspires.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Social media is the best way to see my work, process, and everything in-between. I have big things coming in the near future so definitely follow me on Instagram, VSCO, and Facebook to see what’s happening.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rochacreative.com
• Phone: 520-474-8232
• Email: rochacreative1@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochacreative/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochaCreative/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rocha_creative1
• Other: https://vsco.co/rochacreative

Image Credit:
Andre Rocha

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