I Paint What I See, And I See What I Paint – This Vision Is The Gift That I Share
- Carol Acosta
- Nov 18, 2025
- 4 min read
Interview with Carolina Gonzalez
1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.
I am mostly a self-taught artist, but I have always cared to learn just as if I was receiving education, through books and practice. My first love was fantasy art, mostly through comics and book / record covers and films. In over three decades of career, I've been a tattoo artist, a comic artist, an illustrator for magazines, and of course a freelance painter.
2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.
I try to find a balance between the time I spend creating, and the time I spend doing marketing and business tasks, because working online can be really time consuming and draining. The time spent drawing, painting, and also learning and improving skills always come first, and if that means I don't get online, I do not feel guilty about it. I also spend a lot of time outside, in nature, absorbing the beauty around me and rejuvenating my energy. And, as important as the things I do, are the things I don't do: comparing my path to other artists', spending hours scrolling, draining myself until there's nothing left to give, or wasting my time copying other people's work.
3. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?
My spiritual experience of the world, which actually permeates everything I do. I am a deeply spiritual person, and I see my art as just another way for that experience to manifest, and become something tangible that reflects transcendence and a unique vision. I paint what I see, and I see what I paint – and this vision is the gift that I share with my customers and collectors.
4. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?
By opening my senses to seeing beauty in everything and everyone. By finding wonder and uniqueness even in the most mundane things. By teaching me so much about Nature and its incredible complexity. By showing me that my imagination is limitless and so, so generous.
5. Could you share any difficulties and hardships you had to face in life and how or if you managed/overcame them?
There were many, because I had to put work first at a very young age, and develop another parallel career to support myself. Also, because I was born with a heart condition which took many years of my adult life – so, after many setbacks, I basically got a second chance at life at 42 through heart surgery, medication, and a great deal of personal growth. At that point, I decided I would not wait any longer, even if I had to do two careers at the same time, and took a couple of years to give myself the proper education I needed and deserved. I am the living example that you can restart at any age, and that success can come after great difficulties.
6. Tell us about your best experience in the art world so far.
1: Making a painting about Hildegard Of Bingen, one of my most admired historical figures, and selling it to a US author before it has even half finished – not only because it sold so fast, but because she became one of my dearest friends.
2: Having a portrait of actor Paul Naschy, an absolute icon of Spanish horror films, praised by his own son on Twitter.
7. Share your worst experience in the art world.
I cannot say I've had bad experiences in the art world – but, it is true that I am very professional, business oriented, and aware of my value. Whatever other people do or say that I do not agree with, I just let it go, because taking those things personally would be insane. All professions deal with unfair things and unfair people, and you have to learn to brush it off.
8. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?
Knowing who you are takes time, and that definition can (and will, and should) change through your life; enjoy each chapter, and never be afraid to change. Do not expect anyone to give you anything, because they won't; you owe it to yourself to generate your own opportunities. Remember that you have a sacred gift, so honour it by being the best artist you can, and by being your biggest supporter. This gift, when nurtured through consistency, has tremendous value, so never undersell yourself.
9. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
It is, but for me it is not a problem at all. I enjoy my solitude very much, I think it is absolutely necessary for personal development and productivity. Very often, artists forget that they should be working for their customers, and not for other painters, or for anonymous voices online.
10. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?
In the next year, I am looking forward to return to motifs and techniques that were essential to my work over twenty years ago, when my health declined severely – mostly classic fantasy art, comic, and tattoo art. And, I do not have words to express how exciting that is. Returning to art that I made with no training or experience to develop it properly, and giving it a second round through the artist that I am today, in new and finer ways, is what's keeping me focused and motivated every day!
Website: https://www.carolacostaart.com/
