"I think that's one of the most beautiful exercises of art and often one of the most pleasant and pleasurable things when you think about an idea and you work to make it a reality."

-Brandon Vargas

Welcome to this episode of the Turmeric & Tequila Podcast with your host, Kristen Olson. Today, we're excited to bring you a conversation with Brandon Vargas, a dynamic artist from Colorado. Known for their unique blend of archery and abstract art, Brandon graduated with a BFA from CU Denver and has been deeply immersed in the arts from a young age. Brandon discusses their experiences growing up in the culturally rich environment of Colorado's Latino community and shares insights into their creative process, guided by intuitive feelings and serendipitous moments. We explore Brandon's role with Meow Wolf and their efforts to promote local artists and make art more accessible. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on creativity, representation, and the importance of community in fostering artistic growth. Whether you're an artist or someone seeking inspiration, this episode offers valuable insights into embracing your unique path. Join us as we delve into the art world with Brandon Vargas on Turmeric & Tequila!

Time Stamps:

00:00 Denver's Vibrant Culture Misunderstood

05:40 Preserving Colorado's Latino Heritage

15:18 Middle School Art Struggles

17:27 Artistic Obsession Through Skill Development

22:39 Teen's Journey: Learning via Bus Rides

29:05 "Guided by Intuition to Friends"

34:33 Embracing Spontaneity Over Plans

38:55 Dream Friends and Regrets

47:40 Creative Motivation: Self, Spite, and Growth

51:09 Pathways to Creative Careers

58:23 Supporting Digital Artists in Denver

59:10 Expanding Art Accessibility & Education

Brandon Vargas:

Brandon Vargas is a Denver-based painter, sculptor, and muralist and is currently an Alto Gallery resident supported by the Redline Satellite Studio Resident program. Brandon has been shown in solo and group shows around the CO, including at Dateline, Redline, Art Gym, Alto Gallery, Bell Projects, and Emmanuel Gallery. Brandon received his BFA in Fine Arts from CU Denver in 2018.

Brandon serves on the board of two arts non-profits, La Serra and Denver Digerati and is the Artist Liaison for Meow Wolf Denver.

Personal Website Link: https://rebirah.art/

Instagram: @Rebirah.Art

La Serra Collective: https://laserracollective.org/

Denver Digerati: https://denverdigerati.org/

Connect with T&T:

IG: @TurmericTequila

Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila

Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com

Host: Kristen Olson

IG: @Madonnashero

Tik Tok: @Madonnashero

Website: www.KOAlliance.com

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