Meet Mariette Carrillo

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

Hi Mariette, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I’ve learned that there’s a difference between giving up and changing direction. If I’m still curious about an idea, if I’m still feeling something when I’m creating, I keep going even it’s difficult or the results are not immediate. I think I would only give up if creating made me stop feeling meaningful to me, so far it never has.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets my work apart is that I’m. It just focused on creating art that is visually appealing or aesthetic. I’m focused on creating something that feels emotionally familiar.

My work is rooted in nostalgia, memory and identity, and a lot that comes from growing up in different cultures. I’m really draw to those in-between spaces, moments, people, and everyday details that carry meaning.

With Phunk Theory, my goal is to create work that feels personal and relatable. I want someone to look at a piece and feel like it reflects a memory or emotion they didn’t realize they were holding inside.

I think what makes my work different is that I don’t follow any trends or aim for perfection, it’s mainly about connection. I care more about someone feeling something when they look at my art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit I’d split some time between Tijuana and San Diego there’s so much to see and places to visit on both sides. In Tijuana I’d take them to coffee shops, taco spots for sure, and local spots to grab food or drinks. If we feel spontaneous maybe spend a whole day at the vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe.

In San Diego, it would be a relaxed time walking around somewhere in the city. I would take them to coffee shops to get some time to catch up on life, good food spots and a day at the beach somewhere in Encinitas or maybe a day at a museum.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a shoutout to the creative communities on both sides of the border that have shaped who I am and encouraged me to keep creating throughout the years. Growing up between Tijuana and San Diego gave me access to having different perspectives and artistic influences especially in culture. As artists, we often work alone, but none of are where are completely on our own.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phunktheory