We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Pro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was drawn to art at a very young age, as early as 6 years old. I remember making drawings of things that I would see around my house or at school and feeling this need to document my daily life by drawing the world around me. As I grew older and my technical skills and art style improved, I was encouraged by my mentors to pursue a career in the arts, and I am glad I did. It feels so rewarding to see the growth that I have achieved in my work these past few years that I’ve been in college, and this continues to motivate me every day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a painter/illustrator and I create works of art that relate to my life experiences. I work on surfaces such as canvas, paper, and more recently, I have been working digitally. Additionally, I work with mediums such as oil, acrylic, and watercolor. One of my favorite subjects to study is myself, which is why I have an ongoing series of self-portraits. I try to make at least one self-portrait every year, because I think it is a great way to document where I was in my life at that moment. Professionally, I feel like I still have a long way to go as an artist, especially in terms of skill and experience. However, I do consider myself to be a professional artist since I sell and exhibit my artwork. One of the biggest challenges I have had to overcome is having confidence in myself and my work. Being surrounded by so many talented individuals is inspiring, but sometimes I cannot help but compare myself. However, I have learned that everyone’s journey looks different and all I can do is continue to work hard.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were showing a friend around the city, we would most likely hit all the art museums or galleries in Downtown Phoenix. I am most familiar with the ASU campus, so I would take them to my favorite spots where I like to sit down and relax, which includes the Secret Garden and the James Turrell Skyscape. There are so many great food spots that I know around Tempe, but some of my favorite lowkey places are Social Hall and the Four Peaks Brewery. I would also love to show them all the small ghost towns we have, like Bisbee and Tombstone, which is a fun experience for anyone who has never been to Arizona.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that have shaped me into the artist I am today, but I will name the most important ones. First off, I would not be where I am today without my parents’ support. They have had my back ever since I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the arts, and they are constantly cheering me on. Also, my teachers from Douglas High School, Jenea Sanchez and Richard Paun, helped me recognize my artistic potential and encouraged me to study art in college.

Website: 4proart.com

Instagram: @4.pro.art

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