Meet Charissa Cota (Gutiérrez) of Cha Gutiérrez in Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charissa Cota (Gutiérrez).

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a figurative painter born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. I studied visual arts at Arizona State University, and for a brief time at the School of Visual Arts in New York. I have been painting for many years and was fortunate that my creativity was cultivated at an early age through my upbringing. My dad was also artistically inclined, and often worked with me as a kid, encouraging me to try different mediums and helping to hone my painting and drawing skills. Since art school, I have been working hard at balancing my painting and art life with a regular full-time job. I have been working in youth development for over 10 years, and currently, have the privilege of working with children and teens who have witnessed domestic abuse or have experienced dating abuse themselves. I teach regular art workshops that serve as healing art classes (art therapy) for some of my clients. I also work teaching private art lessons and “paint and sip” style art classes for art clients.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think for any artist, the road is never smooth. It is always a struggle to balance a livable-wage paying career with your art career. There are a constant ebb and flow of which job you put more passion and effort into, otherwise, you get to live up to that starving artist stereotype. At least for me, at this point in my life, I am striving to put the effort and focus back into my artwork, and develop it into a legitimate business. However, with a day job that requires 100% of your emotional energy and passion, there are days that I have no strength left to put the hours necessary into painting. I hope to continue to make greater strides in the next two years to make my Artwork hold the primary spot as my business continues to grow.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
As I said before, I work primarily as a figurative artist. I have always been fascinated with capturing the human figure, human emotions and the true essence of who a subject is in a painting. Lately, my work has started to introduce more surreal elements, as well as nature imagery and themes that deal with femininity and fertility. A personal goal of mine is to become more vulnerable in my artwork, and I have started to do that by bringing in personal struggles, health struggles, and themes that are a reflection of some of the emotional obstacles I face in my personal life. I often use self-portraiture in my work or bring in myself as a subject. (I am the most readily available model I know, lol.)

I also often do commission portrait work, which is always fun. I would describe my work as bold and colorful, and sometimes loose and expressive. I do also enjoy bringing elements of my cultural heritage into my work. I am a very proud Latina artist, but that being said, I don’t necessarily feel I have to be tied to stereotypical imagery to be categorized as one. All in all, I would say that my work is personal, and is painted from a place that appeals to me aesthetically and creatively.

What were you like growing up?
I was definitely a little bit of a nerd. I grew up with an appreciation for all things vintage, oddball, cheesy or creative. I had a lot of support, which not many artists are fortunate to have growing up. I was lucky enough to be introduced to art history, film history, eclectic music tastes and literature at an early age. I played an instrument for several years, was pretty ambitious and dead set on going to art school throughout my teen years, loved reading and writing, in addition to creating art. I was somewhat of an introvert but had my fair share of friends. I was an observant kid, and still am compulsively observant, which definitely helps my art. I think I was well-mannered and eloquent at an early age, so I got along great with teachers. My mother worked in the school districts my siblings and I attended, so we always had a strong influence from amazing teachers that she hand-picked. I grew up in a family of lovable dorks, and I definitely think that comes across in my personality for those who know me well enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.chagutierrez.com
• Email: chagutierrez137@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chagutierrez

Image Credit:
Caleb Alvarado

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