Yessenia Camacho

from Journal of Creative Arts & Minds, Vol.6, No.1 - Summer 2020

by Jumbo Arts International

Ian Schmude

What is your professional name?

My professional name is Yessenia Camacho.

Where were you born and does that place still influence you?

I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and I think it influences me every day.

Where do you live now and how does that place influence you?

I still live in Fayetteville, I never left. Fayetteville influences me by how kind people can be. When I go out to different places, I always meet the nicest people. It makes me feel relaxed and calm knowing I do not have to have my guard up most of the time.

Do you have family, friends, or fellow artists who support you in your work, life and art making and how do they make a difference in your life?

Actually, my mom, her boyfriend and my brother are the biggest influencers in my art. They always have these amazing ideas for projects or concepts for me to try out. Most of my friends are artists. Whenever I am with them I always feel this need to draw or paint. We will most likely be talking about something ridiculous and I will just want draw it. We have meetings in different buildings to hang out, but most of the time we are drawing something.

When and how did you start making art?

I started making art when I was very small but I never made it for myself. I made drawings for others because it made them happy. I sadly was a copy artist who used someone else’s art because I did not like whatever I made, since I thought I had no talent. When I got in high school, my art teacher gave me a book about Zentnagles ® and told me that he thought I would enjoy trying them. That is when art started becoming more potent in my life. People really liked my art pieces and that gave me more courage to pursue art, and to keep practicing. The rest is history.

Can you describe the time when you first realized that creating was something you absolutely had to do?

I came to college to major in something, but I did not know what. I decided to take one art class. My professor gave us projects where we had to use pre-made stuff. I did not enjoy it that much. But then she gave us projects where we could use anything to create an image with paint, crayons, etc. I realized at that moment I wanted to always make my art, I felt more in my element.

Why do you make art now?

I make art now because I enjoy doing it. It is as simple as that. It helps me focus on something other than whatever I dealing with. It is an escape for me to fuel out my aggression and sadness when needs be.

How has your work changed or developed over time?

Back in high school, I did Zentnagles ® with charcoal pencils and paper. Every now and then I would do sketches of anime. Then I had a thing for sculpture where I just made anime weapons or space-oriented items. Then I tried printmaking because I thought it would be cool to make anime shirts with my own art. But later on the pain in my hands caused by that was no longer worth it. So then I got into painting. I was painting anime portraits at first, but then it went to scenery because making those beautiful images was fun. Then my teacher told us to do project that would be an AlterEgo or something along those lines. We had to promote ourselves as though we were already a working artist. I decided to do Zentnagles ® because it was something I had not done in a long time. And it stuck with me after that.

Do you have any creative patterns, routines or rituals associated with your art making?

There is one thing I like to do before making my art. I like to do concept art before I actually paint. That way I know where everything goes before I put it down. Sometimes, very rarely, I will look up new Zentnagles ® to use along with new shapes to try in my paintings.

How do you know when a work is finished?

When the shape is full of paint and Zentnagles ® or the canvas is full.

What new creative medium would you love to pursue?

I am actually trying my hand at cardboard items currently. I have seen a lot of people making recreations of various objects from bicycles to temples and I thought it would be fun to try.

What are your goals for the future, for both work and life?

Honestly, when I get out of college I plan to get a full-time job, so I can pay for my art supplies and keep painting. Hopefully one day I will be able to sell my artwork either on shirts or on canvas.

What interesting project are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I am working on a giant canvas with a turtle on it. I am making it completely out of Zentnagles ® . It is the biggest painting I have ever done. It is still not done, but it is a work in progress.

Where do you find ideas for your creative work?

Most of my ideas come from my Zentnagles ® book my mom bought for me. It constantly inspires me to do Zentnagles ® . That or I just ask my mom and brother for ideas. Contact Information: YesseniaCamacho297@gmail.com