Meet Jorge Alberto Contreras of Phobia Airbrush Art in Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Alberto Contreras.

Jorge Alberto, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Mexico, Valle Hermoso Tamaulipas (the north) 1979. I had a good childhood, I started drawing at age five because I saw my brother draw, we never had an art class, I liked school, I finished high school and then a career in programming, when I was 19 I decided to emigrate to Texas, the plan was to work one year to collect some money, buy a car and return to go to university. All that time I never stopped drawing, my father had an auto paint shop, I painted the walls with cartoon characters, nobody taught me, I just tried it.

When I arrived here it was difficult, I worked in construction. I learned everything (maintenance of train tracks, carpentry, sheetrock, carpet, house painter, concrete, electrician, etc.) All that time I stopped drawing, almost eight years. I found a taco stand painted with airbrush, I called the person who painted it, to ask for work and learn how to use the airbrush, he told me that he did not teach anyone, he gave me the number from someone else who could hire me, and he told me the same thing, and that it was not easy, that I would not learn.

As soon as I could buy an airbrush and started to practice, it was difficult, I could not, and I left it every week, I worked on anything for a while. Years ago, I learned to play drums on my own, I had a rock band with my friends, and I met many musicians, some celebrities. It was Alejandro Marcovich guitarist from Caifanes who in a conversation told me: that you should do what you like. I thought well and went back to practice, with the months I improved a little, I printed my business cards, and I went in search of clients.

I started with taco stands, offering to paint logos, menu, and those things, but I had bad experiences with that kind of customers, paid very cheaply, had to wait for hours to receive my payment, and some did not pay me, I improved the technique and look for other types of clients, I painted everything, walls, portraits, motorcycles, cars, helmets, but It was very difficult, I am not an artist, I just learned to paint. Sometimes I take my work to some art shows, I upload my work to social networks, and I always wait for calls of some orders.

Some artists like my work and others do not, they do not like that I do not study art, but that is not my problem. I must search for more and better clients, some just order and do not pick up their orders, do not pay, the bad thing is when they are portraits, I trust people, and I do not ask for an advance,jajaja, others want very low prices, but I also have those who pay well and even tip.. I want to keep improving and have a constant customer. Thanks for everything

Has it been a smooth road?
Well, it takes time, it takes a lot of practice, I love painting, the hard part is to try to live from this, but that’s what I want to do.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Phobia Art is my signature. Airbrush is a tool and a technique to paint on any surface, it is very different to make tattoos, some use templates but my technique is free hand, something difficult when you start but with practice you do it faster and better.

There are many artists with this technique, but each one puts its brand, style. I am proud to take the decision to dedicate myself to this, not having bosses or schedules, the truth sometimes I was hungry, bad costumers, no payment, but I think it is the risk of starting a business.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Many of my friends tell me to go to New York or California, but I think here, or any place is good, you just have to find the right customers. I know people who do the same thing as me, but in a different way, not everyone lives from this, they do it apart from their work, some are very good

Contact Info:

• Website: www.phobiaart.com
• Phone: 8323357696
• Instagram: @nossferathus
• Facebook: @airbrushphobia
• Other: www.apocalypshirts.com

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