Interview
Richard Fuertes
Richard F. Fuertes is 54 years old, born and raised in San Narciso Zambales, Philippines. He loves to sing, dance, paint and play the piano. His healing with art is to express his deepest emotions. Art brings healing for his wounded emotions and traumatic experiences. He paints what comes from within. He dedicates his art work and his exhibit to the frontline workers, mental health, and people with disabilities. His artwork is his voice to stop the stigma, bullying, racial discrimination and Asian hate. To God be all the glory!
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a self taught artist and took art classes and art workshops. I started my journey in the art world when I suffered from severe depression when I was 21 years old. I am 54 years old now and art is my therapy. I push through my healing with art. I do mixed media in acrylic on canvas. I paint what comes from within; I sit down and when it comes, it comes.”
What inspires you?
“I draw inspiration from places like the beach, watching the sunset, the beauty of the flowers and different people I met or even going to different museums. Vincent Van Gogh’s life and struggles inspires me to do my artwork. I dedicate my art to my family, my 91 year old dad, Cirilo Fuertes Jr., my late Mother Josefina Aluad Fernandez and to my sisters Jocelyn, Lorna, and Rhodora. As well as my niece Christy Ann Maresco and to my Nephew John Anthony Maresco. And Eric Petaja. To my brother in Law Victor Petaja and Jonny Maresco, cousins, relatives and friends who love me for who I am and what I am. As an advocate of mental health it inspired me to share my healing with art to them.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Expressing my different emotions, from my joy to sorrow from failure to triumph, from my achievement, the gift and talent that God gave me to share to everyone.”
“I draw inspiration from places like the beach, watching the sunset, the beauty of the flowers and different people I met or even going to different museums.”
How would you describe your work?
“I do mixed media. I cooperate with threads and paint with acrylic on canvas. I use different textures and techniques. My artwork reflects my emotions. From overcoming my struggles and frustration of my life. My artwork reflects the inner voice of myself and my different emotions when I create beautiful art pieces.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Vincent Van Gogh is my favorite artist and influences my artwork. The agony, pain, stigma, grief, frustration, struggles reflect in my artwork. The emotion that I render in my artwork reflects my journey. I’m inspired and I can relate with Vincent Van Gogh’s life, his struggles and artistic expression of his art.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process starts with me expressing my different emotions. I do a lot of experimentations, a lot of trials and errors until I’m satisfied and fulfilled to finish my artwork. I make sure I convey my emotion and my unique artistic creative process.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists play an important role in the society where I voice out my feelings and emotions that words cannot express. Every artwork of an artist is the inner voice, emotions that he/she expresses. Society needs artists to express the different issues of society through arts, music, theatre, acting, film and dancing. Without the art and artist the world is empty, boring and has no life.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“In 2019, I exhibited at the Retrospective Healing with Art Exhibit at the Slover Library Norfolk Virginia, USA. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, I exhibited at the Colors Healing with Art Exhibit at the Chesapeake Central Library Chesapeake Virginia, USA.”
Website: www.richardffuertes.com
Instagram: @RichardF.Fuertes
Other link: www.facebook.com/RichardFFuertes
