What He Does: There are many ways to spread the word of God, but Andy Gonzales has chosen art. Specifically, he has started a series called AGGA, which stands for Andy Gonzalez God's Artist. The art project is 242 abstract oil paintings divided into 21 parts all with biblical inspiration, and he hopes to soon follow it up with seven-foot metal sculptures in order to complement each painting. Gonzales, who has been a devout and committed Christian since he was very young, expects his project to take 20 years to accomplish.
After growing up in Pasadena, Gonzales left the United States to study art at the Parsons Paris School of Design in France. At first he focused on realism and the Renaissance artists, but after returning to the States he began to develop an interest in abstract cubism. It's this interest that has allowed Gonzales to show off the Biblical stories that are so well known in a brand new light that challenges the viewer.
Why He Likes It: "Painting is my life work and the mission of painting the Biblical stories in a new way is my contribution to The Great Commission of preaching God's Word."
What Inspires Him: Gonzales attributes all of his inspiration to sources beyond the mortal coil, calling the works and words of Jesus Christ his main muse. Though they come in a distant second to the Son of God, the Old Italian masters have had a deep impact on the nature and style of his work.
If Not Here, Then Where: "My wife and I plan on moving to either New York City or Miami in about ten years when the kids are out of college. I love Paris, so it's on my list along with Florence."
If Not This, Then What: Gonzales' day gig is as a technology consultant in the voice, video, and data communications industry, so there is always that. However, he considers this his "job", not his "work". If painting were somehow off the table his other choice is that he would like to be a plastic surgeon. To Gonzales, the sculpting of flesh is no less an art than sculpting with metal.
What's Next: Gonzales recently showed off his work at the Bayou City Arts Festival, and has plans to unveil some new paintings soon.
More Creatives for 2014 (In order of most recently published; click here for the full page). Chris Foreman, comic book sketcher Theresa DiMenno, photographer Jessica E. Jones, opera singer Atseko Factor, actor John Pluecker, writer, poet and language justice worker Ricky Ortiz, painter, tattoo artist Rabēa Ballin, artist David Wald, actor Lisa E. Harris, performing and visual artist Stephanie Todd Wong, executive director of Dance Source Houston Pamela Fagan Hutchins, novelist Heather Gordy, artist Mark Nasso, comic artist Shelbi-Nicole, artist Marian Szczepanski, novelist Jonathan Blake, fashion designer Doni Langlois, interior designer Kat Denson, dancer Blame the Comic, comedian Margaret Menchaca Alvarez, artist Jacquelyne Jay Boe, dancer Rene Fernandez, painter Teresa Chapman, choreographer and dancer
