MS. FUENTES
Photos by Michele Simcox
Ms. Fuentes is a Houston-based multidisciplinary artist whose current focus is tufting fabrics. She also founded and runs the local Indigo Art Fest. In this interview, she talks about the ways in which her work reflects her personality, why tufting has become her favorite medium, the challenges she has faced as a young artist, and what prompted her to develop the Indigo Art Fest.
Interview by Michele Simcox
What are three words that you would use to describe yourself? What are three words that you would use to describe your work?
Is there a word for being too hard on yourself? I guess I’d call myself persistent. I’m very eclectic and confident. I use a lot of neon, because I love color, so I would say my work is neon. It’s also political. And my current work is marbled, which means that the way I tuft each part brings out each shade of color of the yarn, whether it’s acrylic, etc.
How long have you gone by Ms. Fuentes as your artist name professionally? Does going by this name play a part in the identity that you want to portray, in terms of representing the Hispanic art community? Is that something that was intentional? How important is it to you?
I’ve gone by that name since 2011 but my real last name is Rodriguez, and I felt like it was a pretty common Hispanic last name so I chose something else. (It doesn’t have anything to do with my racial identity). Growing up I was obsessed with the band Pierce the Veil and the lead singer’s name is Vic Fuentes so I decided to use that as my name, especially since music and internet culture has played a big part in my life. I always play music as I work and art is a release for me, so I kind of combined the two. I plan on transitioning into a different phase and maybe hyphenate my name one day.
Would you say your work is a reflection or extension of who you are as a person? How so?
I would say it’s a reflection of me in the sense that it’s very colorful and I guess you could say that I’m quite a colorful person too. My work is also political and I like to involve myself in my community. Our city has inconsistent leadership and art gives me the platform to get what’s important across. It’s life, then everything else after that.
You experiment with a variety of artistic mediums or crafts, why is that? And what would you say your favorite medium is?
For me, I’ve struggled with stuff mentally so art was a release and a way of expressing myself. I started by changing my appearance. I’d dye my hair crazy colors, cut it, and by doing so it felt like I was starting with a new [slate]. In terms of my art, I have no formal art training and have never taken an art class but I’ve always been interested in it. I think the fact that I don’t have any professional art experience allows for freedom to do whatever I want and play around with things like colorization.
I started with drawing and painting but I would say my favorite medium is tufting. Tufting is the stuff I’m currently doing. It’s the process of using yarn to make rugs, potholders, etc. with my electric tufting gun. I really like it because of the different mechanics involved. I’m a very hands on person and I get to teach myself a lot. Growing up, my dad influenced me quite a bit because he’s a welder. After this, I’m actually going to go over to my parents’ house to fix my tufting gun myself and I enjoy this type of stuff. Although, my back is always hurting now…
You’ve recently decided to form your own textile company with your business partner, Miriam Mireles, can you comment on that? (Note: since the completion of this interview, Ms. Fuentes has now started her textile company with her business partner. It’s called Kayo & Cakes Co.)
We started this [new venture] in February. It’s still in its early stages…Right now, we’re just doing commissions to pay the bills but I definitely want to, one day, not have to do commissions.
When you started your artistic journey, you painted Fauvist, abstract, cartoony portraits of characters that have taken on a life of their own. How did this characteristic style start?
Since I didn’t have any formal art training, I always struggled with portraying depth and realism so I would always just draw [or doodle] these random [2D] faces. Then it just kind of took off from there.
You’re twenty-three and have accomplished more than most upcoming artists your age. Have you faced any negative feedback and how do you handle it?
Yes. I’ve faced quite a bit of [backlash] due to my age. Not only am I young, but I’m also Hispanic and when I first started to create Indigo Art Fest in 2017, I also had orange hair, glasses, and braces so people tended to not take me seriously. One time I had secured our Houston venue and the owner, on the day of the event, was disrespectful to not only me but my team as well. I [believe in] diversity so I just use these experiences as [fuel]. They won’t stop me from doing what I love.
You single-handedly founded, plan, and continue to run Indigo Art Fest, which is preparing for its sixth installation. Tell me your definition of Indigo Art Fest and what it means to you. Also, do you see this as something that you’ll keep doing well into the future?
I started Indigo Art Fest in 2017 because diversity is important and I wanted a safe space for artists to express themselves, especially those that deserve to be represented and lack access to a place to get their work out there. I use Indigo [and hope that it will be used] as a voice to help fix the world and as an avenue of learning. I try to voice my political opinion a lot and I [do my part] by ensuring that there is a voter registration table at each of the festivals, we also take part in beach cleanups, and have recently gotten together care packages for those impacted by the pandemic. Just the other day, we participated in a local rally that prevented nine evictions. Since we lack consistent leadership here in Houston, I think it’s important to have this creative [and community engaged] platform to try and make a difference.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we had to postpone this year’s installation of the Festival to 2022. I didn’t want to put the community at risk, especially since it is a family event, and it would be irresponsible. As we prepare, we plan on adhering to safety protocols, it might be our first outdoor festival, and I’d like to steer it towards a more political route. I’m not sure if this is something I will be continuing on into the future because it all just depends on the political atmosphere at the time. When we first started I did almost everything myself and over time we’ve recruited and scouted a lot of [people and talent.] Now, I mainly just focus on running the art side of the festival but I may pass it off one day, I don’t know.
Lastly, how has the 2020 Covid quarantine affected your creative process and upcoming projects?
Honestly, it has helped. I quit my full time job to focus on my art and dedicate myself full time to this. Working from home has helped me focus [and relax] a lot more. I live in a house with my partner, Connor Smith — who’s an accountant/brand owner, and my best friends: Sophie, Bryce and Miriam, who are also artists and cinematographers. It’s nice having a really creative space.
View more of Ms. Fuentes’s work and check for updates on Instagram
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Michele Simcox has a BA in Art History, with a focus in Studio Art, from the University of Houston. She has worked in private art galleries, has been an art teacher, and she has worked as a photographer for Shutterfly. She would like you to know that climate change is a very serious issue and that you should read Hyperworlds, Underworlds by Jason Louv.
