Life & Work with Christian Chavarria of Lakewood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Chavarria.

Hi Christian, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I moved to Denver about two years ago. I had always been into artsy stuff here and there, but really just started working with clay a short time after moving here. I had some foam clay left over from a costume project and just started molding it until I had a goofy monster in front of me. I ended up getting more clay soon after and the monsters got bigger and more detailed, and after showing them to a friend he referred to them as Goobers and that’s what I’ve called them ever since. So far one has been in a local gallery and I’ve given a few away here and there and even sold a few. I’m just happy that others dig them enough to want them in their homes even though they’re gross little goobers.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ups and downs strikes and gutters as they say. My biggest issue is I can be overly self critical and it’s not really until the Goobers are painted and finished that I can fully be happy with them. I’m getting better about that with each new Goober though and each one has been better than the last for the most part. Getting more eyes on my sculptures and making a bit of money from them would be great, but I just love making them and if the other part happens then great! If not I’ll have an army of Goobers so it’s a win win.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make gross clay monsters that are usually oozing slime and look like something you’d find behind a toilet in an abandoned amusement park that I call Goobers. As far as a process, I usually have a basic idea of what I want to make and kind of let my hands and the clay figure out the rest. I’m hugely inspired by cartoons and comics and especially monster movies, the slimier the better I say! I grew up during the gross out times of cartoons and media so I hope that comes through in my Goobers. I’d like to believe they’d fit right in on Ahhh! Real Monsters personally. My main goal is to give people that memory of green slime and fun character designs that I don’t feel is utilized enough anymore.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Nostalgia for fun gross out humor that reminds you of what it was like to be the weird kid but in the best way possible. For someone to look at one of my monsters and be reminded of a Nick cartoon or Cartoon Network show they loved them I’m happy! I love details in my Goobers, I love giving them bumps and oozing zits, with eyeballs and teeth in places they shouldn’t be. I want people to hold my sculpture and be able to find new little gross details every time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashywilly91?igsh=MWJ6aXpkOW44cDJzcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr