Meet Ernesto Che Jimenez | Mixed Media Artist & Former Child

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ernesto Che Jimenez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ernesto Che, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from East Palo Alto California, it is a small town about an hour away from San Francisco. I grew up with parents that worked a lot of the time and along side a couple of brothers who were 14 & 15 years older than me. Maybe because of that through my teen years I found myself feeling like I needed act older than I was to try and prove myself to whoever would bother to listen. When the pressure of my undiagnosed anxieties would get the best of me I would turn to creativity as a form of Escapism. That crutch I leaned on so heavily off and on for years truly helps me as an adult retain some of that child like creativity. Like most people around my age (32) I am a huge sucker for nostalgia, and that inner child I managed to protect through my creative escapism tends to thrive on that nostalgia. A lot of the art I make today has some sort of connection to pop culture.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
To me my artwork is just that, Artwork. I don’t tend to label myself very often because I love the creative process that comes with learning how to adapt with new mediums, and I feel that if I got to comfortable with a label I may loose some of that desire to explore other creative processes. With all of my hodgepodges of mixed medias I have been labeled a contemporary artist. I enjoyed the label of contemporary maximalist, but I thought it sounded a little too grand for my work. Some have simply called my works pop art. One of the things that I’d like to think sets me and my work apart is that I accept all of it, I just don’t claim the titles. I get excited at the idea that people want to interpret my artwork at all. That in itself is the biggest challenge AND success of my artistic career. I feel that for most artists there is always going to be a little voice in the back of our minds that wants us to acknowledge what people may think of us or our work, but ultimately that is what makes it artwork. Over time my art forms have taught me that no matter how people may present themselves they are really at their core are all individuals that see things differently. With that I have learned to appreciate our individuality and used it as something that inspires my work. I can only hope that the things I create get the opportunity to live in people’s dreams, thoughts and memories rent free. At this point I feel that my life as an artist has only just begun…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh so many good options when it comes to food! My must go touristy destinations would probably be Voodoo Doughnut in Universal’s Hollywood city walk, Neptune’s Net in Malibu and Trejos tacos on La Brea Ave. Other favorite must haves would be, Versailles Cuban Restaurant, Juanita’s Cafe on Olivera st., and that sushi place I can never remember the name of. They had some Katanas incased in resin on the stairs when you walk in. Other must dos would be the Griffith observatory, Marvin Braude Bike Trail, thrifting on Melrose, and trying to catch a good live show at the Roxy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a shadow of a doubt I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the love of my older Brothers, Nic & Jorge. Also the amazing support and encouragement I get everyday from my beautiful wife Eden and my beautiful paramour Carissa. Without any of them I wouldn’t be proud to be the artist I am today.

Instagram: @art_by_ernesto

Other: Website soon to come!