profile / alumni / illustration
November 16, 2017
Writer: Jamie Wetherbe

Art Of Being In The Moment: Meet Painter Salomon Huerta

ArtCenter: How do you define success?

Salomon Huerta (BFA 91 Illustration), Artist: Doing what makes you happy full time.

What are you working on right now?

SH: From the age of 9 to 16, my dad would ask me to bring food to his room, and I would always place it on his night table near his gun. I have these vivid images of food and guns, so I’ve decided to do still life paintings based on that.

AC: When do you feel the most creative?

SH: When I look at other people’s art. If I didn’t do that, I’d feel like a zombie.

AC: Where do you go (online or offline) to get inspired?

SH: Offline, to the movies; online, searching for other artists’ work.

AC: What do you do to detox from media and screens?

SH: There are amazing trails in Pomona that lead into the mountains and you feel like you’re somewhere else. When I come back from hiking for a day, I get the feeling that everything’s new again.  

AC: If you could trade jobs with anyone for a day who would it be?

SH: I’m not a violent person, but I have this stupid fantasy of being a UFC mixed martial arts fighter.

AC: What book is on your bedside table?

SH: I’m almost done with A Giacometti Portrait by James Lord. It’s good to see how someone else works. I’ve been told I have a crazy process because I destroy work I’m not happy with, respectfully, by painting over it with white paint. I got that from ArtCenter — to do things over and over until it’s exactly what you want. There’s no regret or hesitation. Giacometti had a similar process, but started to push it too far and ruin the painting.

AC: Who are the most interesting artists working today?

SH: Rudolf Stingel and Urs Fischer — when I look at these individuals, I see two artists going beyond their limits.

AC: What’s your most irrational or rational fear?

SH: Being in front of people. I practice a lot to overcome it. When I was invited to speak at MOCA, I practiced sitting for three months — I wanted to see how I could sit so I would be comfortable answering questions and being a part of the conversation. Once I found a position I was happy with, I visualized answering questions, then I visualized looking at the audience. When it happened, I felt like I was present in the moment.

AC: What’s your most prized possession?

SH: I don’t think I have anything I put a lot of value on — I’m looking in my closet, and I don’t see anything.

AC: Where is your happy place?

SH: At the movies and drinking coffee in the morning. It’s a time I allow myself to do nothing.

AC: How would your closest friend describe you?

SH: When it comes to art, they would say I’m crazy. If you remove the art, probably that I’m loyal and generous.

AC: What’s your best piece of advice for an ArtCenter student who’s interested following your career path?

SH: Take advantage of everything the school has to offer — make friends, share knowledge, ask instructors questions that go beyond what’s happening in class. Devote 100 percent of your time to be an art student in the moment; don’t think about the future or the past.