Today we’d like to introduce you to Armando H. Nieto Garcia.
Hi Armando, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my journey when I was a kid playing clay making all kinds of figures of characters and spaceships. For many years, I have spent time learning multiple techniques in different art and drawing schools. I learned how to draw with graphite, charcoal, soft pastels, watercolor, acrylics, markers, and oil paints.
But I considered that as a hobby, I never thought that would be the career path I was going to take. I started my Illustration studies in Venezuela after I made the hard decision to not continue my engineering studies and pursue my real passion for art. At first, my family was not convinced about this change, but they give me all their support, and little by little they noticed I was happier for following my real dreams and they felt proud of me.
When I started my illustration studies, I expanded my knowledge of digital art and the design world. Furthermore, I went to the USA to finish my studies since I could not get a bachelor’s degree in my country due to its limitations with art careers. I was glad to be accepted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where my dreams finally came true and completed my bachelor’s degree in Illustration.
I started gaining experience as a freelancer in Venezuela selling portraits and tattoo designs on freelance websites. During my time at SCAD, I worked as a student leader with the international student office as an international orientation assistant, and as a docent in the new museum/attraction called SCAD story. Working for the university I was able to help students and prospect students from diverse backgrounds to achieve a smooth and successful path in the university.
These experiences help me to grow as a professional and help me to build a good resume. After graduation, I resumed my freelance work where I started selling portraits, landscapes, and environment illustrations. Moreover, in collaboration with an editorial house called Paquidermo Libros to create Illustrations for a fiction book. I also collaborated as a volunteer with other artists to create an anti-bullying coloring book for a company called Cures of Colors.
Finally, I am creating images and assets for a company called Baby Learn Online where I made contributions by creating a Halloween sticker pack and future projects where I make great contributions. Today, I am doing my best to grow as an artist, and this is just the beginning of a wonderful path where I follow my dreams and hopes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth since the beginning, I have to face many challenges and difficulties along the way.
For many years, the social and political crisis in Venezuela affected my studies because it was hard to find the materials that I needed for some assignments and the constant protest in my country made it difficult to get out of home because it was dangerous to be caught by the repressive forces of the government.
My family was affected by this crisis due to the unstable economy of the country which could affect my studies, especially when I came to the USA. There was always the fear that I could not finish because of the hardships my country was going through. Moreover, with effort and perseverance, and the support of my family I managed to get ahead and fulfill my dream to have a degree in art.
I never give up on any challenge that I face finding a way to solve them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional Illustrator with a concentration in Concept design for animation and games. During my studies, I develop my skills in environment illustrations and character designs for books using digital tools like photoshop.
Corel Painter, Illustrator and procreate. For my freelance work, I wanted to focus on portraits and landscapes with traditional and digital media. What sets me apart is my diligence.
I always research several images that I use as references to guide me with textures, how the illumination works on objects, and look for inspiration to create memorable and resonant images that stimulate the viewer’s imagination and evoke emotions by telling a story with my illustrations.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Since my arrival in Savannah, I was delighted to be in such a historical city where I found so much inspiration for my work.
One of the most interesting things was the well-preserved architecture of historical buildings and the beautiful squares spread all over Savannah.
Honestly, what I dislike about Savannah is the humidity and hot temperatures in summer times.
Pricing:
- Single Digital Portrait $90.00 USD
- Single Traditional Portrait, 20×16 $120.00 USD
- Digital landscapes $100.00 USD
- Still-life, Floral, & Objects $110.00 USD
- Wildlife $120.00 USD
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armasketch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmaSketchh/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/armasketch
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqzYH7bM73gA7PlM6oqL3g?view_as=subscriber
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@armasketch
Image Credits
Armando Nieto
