Meet Andy Arens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Arens.

Andy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well, I guess I started at a young age. As far back as I can remembered I’ve enjoyed painting, coloring and the sorts. In elementary school, one of my drawings was chosen for a school flyer or something, and from that point, I kind of knew I wanted to pursue art in some way. Fast forward to high school, freshman year I took art of course and my teacher like some of my stuff so he asked if I would like to show it in an upcoming show outside of school.

My first big moment as an artist, I was very proud to have my art hanging somewhere other than my parent’s walls at the time. Through college I tinkered with the ideas of architecture and computer animation to satisfy my need to pursue art but neither felt right. I decided to drop out and move to the mountains and spend some time searching and just creating. When I moved back to Denver in 2011 I had a new inspirations and was really excited to get my creations out there. I did my first show here, the pancakes and booze show.

I learned a lot but didn’t sell anything. The next few years were like that, some shows I’d sell nothing and occasionally maybe sell a painting here or there. I started also doing commissions at that point to kind of spread the word and get my creations out there a bit more. I also just gave some away hoping one day something will come of it. But as of today, I’m no means a huge artist in the Denver scene, but FreshPaints has carved out a little niche that hopefully will be bigger someday

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. As someone who struggles with depression, I think the biggest obstacle to get over has been myself. A lot of the times I’ve been my biggest critic, stacking up half-done paintings in closets, beating myself up because an art show didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, and criticizing myself for not being where I want to be creatively with my Art.

Also trying to find a meaning that is important to me has been a struggle through the process, though I feel like I’m in a place now where I’m there, but just at the tip of the iceberg. The current struggle now is just to keep evolving and finding out what else is under the water waiting to be discovered

We’d love to hear more about your art.
FreshPaints started as an idea in the mountains to bring artists of all kinds together and share our collective yet different perspectives to the world. As the sole member now, I still try to strive for that. I personally specialize in abstract/transcendental art that makes you not just see something different, but to hopefully also feel something, to stir up something in the unconscious.

I specialize in really anything from landscape paintings, to portraits, to my personal favorites – deep space paintings. As an Artist I’m most proud of the fact that I’m such a competitive scene in Denver, I’ve been told on many occasions my art is some of the most unique things people have seen, and I think that is what sets me and my art apart

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Growing up, I was always told get a good job house, etc. etc. but personally I see success as just being completely happy and in love with what you are doing in your life. As long as I can sell my paintings, create in ways that push me and also push my understanding of the world and can maybe also make the world a better place, that would be a pretty successful life to me. Currently, I work full time as an electrician and it may not be the most enjoyable job sometimes and the hours aren’t always the best but it fits my criteria right now with where I want to be and where I want to go next in my next step of success

Pricing:

• small $40-$90
• medium $90-$250
• large $250-$1000

Contact Info:

• Phone: 720-338-0612
• Email: freshpaintsinc@gmail.com
• Instagram: @freshpaintsinc
• Facebook: facebook.com/freshpaintsinc

Image Credit:
Kiley Burke

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