Feature Friday - Armando Silva
What is your full name and where are you from?
Armando Ivan Silva Garcia - Born in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico and now lives in Greeley, CO
In your own creative definition or description, please share who you are :::
I am
- An artist to the world
- A rock for my family
- My mother’s pride
- My dad’s hustle
- My friend’s energy
- My hand’s creation
- My feet’s wonder
- My heart’s experience
- My mind’s growth
- My girl’s friend
I don’t own any of that but I strive to become it.
I seek context in order to provide better content. I am a kid in a constant back and forth between two languages. My traditions are sometimes ghosts of what they used to be and I’m a ghost hunter. I am constantly in search of validation for my existence. I am naive and I am smart. In my spirit I am energy looking for a platform to give life, reason, inquiry and vulnerability.
Please describe a meaningful experience in nature from your childhood :::
When I was about eight years amongst one of the many summers my parents sent me to Mexico to spend with my tias (aunts). I would spend all day climbing serros (small mountains / hills) with my primos (cousins). I don’t have much to say other than we just went up as fast as we could. We would try and find new paths and increase the level of difficulty to the top. I remember them being so smart about the land and what was around. The name of every rock, mineral and vegetation. They knew where the lizards hid and if there might be a snake nearby. The overall meaning of using nature, rocks, cactus, dirt and gravel to our adventure was everything. There was a constant battle between who could find the best way to climb a peña (boulder). We created challenges that no one else imagined. These challenges spoke to creativity, courage, risk and even athletic ability. These moments stick with me because they taught how to see a landscape in art, life and relationships that I constantly challenge myself to be better in. To inquire about the new path or to fall in love again with the climb that feels so close to me.
What role, significance or theme does the natural world hold for your life today?
The natural world for me today acts as life. It is my constant escape from the plastic world. Being a painter has its perks but it currently revolves a lot around being inside and protected. I have picked up running and it is a great way for me to breathe and be present. I seek new paths and trails similar to when I was a kid. It’s a special place for me to be pure and reason. While using my body to push my way through our atmosphere I write poetry about my existence and my importance. I challenge myself to be more of me just as that rock is a a complete and true rock.
Check out more of Armando’s work at http://www.artmandosilva.com/
and follow him on Instagram @artmandosilva
