Artist, Creative, Illustrator – Carmeli Hocson
Carmeli was born in the Philippines and emigrated to the United States in the 1980s. She is a resident of Sacramento, California, and when she isn't creating, enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Q: You were born into a family of creatives. Who was your most influential inspiration?
A: I am influenced by a diverse mix of individuals in my life, both family members and artistic friends. Growing up in a creatively rich family, I drew inspiration from various sources - from Papalolo's [grandfather] stunning architectural designs to Tita Tesy's [aunt] capturing of natural rhythm in her paintings, Tato's [uncle] ability to evoke emotion through color, and Rob's [cousin] masterful use of lines and shadow in his sketches.
Q: Who do you consider to be your biggest cheerleader?
A: My greatest source of support and encouragement is myself, although I also experience self-doubt and self-sabotage, which is commonly referred to as impostor syndrome.
Q: You described yourself as being influenced by “…the natural rhythm of your environment, my art is a definition of my emotions.” What's it like when that inspiration hits?
A: The flow of life mirrors my creative process, as it comes in ebbs and flows, much like the experiences we have in life. When inspiration strikes, I capture it through sketches or written notes to preserve the source of my creativity.
Q: I love your Music is Medicine pin! Does music play a big role when you are creating? Who are your favorite musicians?
A: Music plays a significant role in my creative process – always present in some form, be it through headphones, shared spaces, or just in my head. It is difficult for me to pinpoint a specific artist or group as I enjoy a diverse range of music and my favorites often stem from another favorite singer or genre. If I had to choose however, the genre: soul, jazz, and hiphop; the artists: Sade, Alice Miles, Coltrane, and Tribe Called Quest.
I also like finding new music. My current obsession – UK Soul: Olivia Dean, Lianne La Havas, Col3trane, and Jacob Banks.
Q: I remember going to one of your first art shows in downtown Sacramento. Tell us what that was like. Also, do you keep a digital library of all of your paintings?
A: Putting together an art exhibition can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, like a sugar rush. It starts with excitement, followed by feelings of nervousness, and ends with exhaustion.
To keep track of my creations I maintain a digital library, taking photos of every piece I create, although it may not be perfectly organized.
Q: Do you prefer using one medium over another?
A: My preferred medium is acrylic paint on canvas, but I have also experimented with watercolor and Gouache. Currently, I am into digital illustration and utilizing an iPad, Apple Pencil, and Procreate for my art. Additionally, I have a growing interest in resin and am incorporating it into my work.
Q: You recently published your second Lace Up Coloring Book • Nostalgic Kicks Volume II. How did you come up with the idea? Describe the process (pen to digital, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign?).
A: I participated in the Color Us Hopeful project at the at the Crocker Art Museum, a coloring book inspired by Sacramento artists during the COVID-19 lockdown. This experience inspired me to create my own coloring book, this time centered on sneakers. The idea came about during a nostalgic conversation with friends, and the process involved making a list of favorite sneakers and their release dates, gathering photos, creating sketches, and eventually digitizing the designs.
Visit: https://carmelicreates.bigcartel.com/products
Q: What do you think about the local creative community? What are your hopes for change?
A: The local art scene is comprised of incredibly talented artists. The hope for improvement lies in providing greater access and visibility for artists of color, as well as ensuring they receive the recognition and financial support they deserve.
Q: What's in the near horizon for you artistically?
A: At the moment, I have no concrete plan, but I am focusing on illustration with the goal of having a few children's coloring and story books published by the end of the year.