NEWS
Cuban American Artist, Carlos A. Navarro Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month as Guest Illustrator on the "Baldo" Comic Strip
Cuban American Artist, Carlos A. Navarro has been chosen by the creators of the "Baldo" comic strip, to illustrate one of their Sunday comic strips. It will be featured in nationally syndicated newspapers on October 16, 2011.
Miami, FL (PRWEB) September 10, 2011
The creators of the "Baldo" comic strip have commissioned several Hispanic artists to illustrate their own version of the Baldo comic strip to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. Hector Cantu, co-creator of "Baldo" stated, "It's a way for us to shine a spotlight on fellow artists who are doing incredible art, and giving them a chance to have their work published in the Sunday funnies". The "Baldo" comic features the daily woes of teenager Baldo Bermudez and his family. This comic takes a light-hearted satirical look at the Latino experience as well as that of American youth. Among the six artists chosen for this project is Cuban American artist, Carlos A. Navarro from Miami, Florida.
Carlos was born in Havana, Cuba and moved to New York for the early part of his life. Carlos' initial artistic inspiration came from Dali and Picasso. In New York the Pop Art movement inspired Carlos. Carlos A. Navarro developed his own style by combining traditional Cuban themes from his heritage with modern elements and perceptions. Carlos focuses on creating art that is both meaningful and memorable. Navarro is proud of his Hispanic heritage and the "Baldo" comic strip is an outlet for him to share his work with a diverse community of both Hispanic and non-Hispanic people. This is important for Carlos since he identifies himself as both a Cuban and American and feels that his art reflects that.
Carlos was chosen to illustrate his own "Baldo" comic strip because of his talent and undoubtedly it is his distinctive style and concept that grasped the attention of creators Hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos. Castellanos contacted Navarro about this project and from there, pop artist Carlos A. Navarro began to draft his sketches and ideas. Cantu and Castellanos are undoubtedly excited to see the illustrations these artists have sketched and on select Sundays newsprint and online readers will also be able to see and read how each of these artists celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Carlos has released a sneak peek of his work for this comic strip on his Facebook page and website. His "Baldo" comic will be out October 16, 2011.
EVENTS & PROJECTS
Please click on the event or project below to view more information.
Carlos A. Navarro has been featured in Eventos Magazine, a Spanish publication. This article documents a Pop Art Gallery Event for Carlos' Scarface collection. That night was Steven Bauer was present, Al Pacino's co-star in the film, Scarface.
This Local Miami Magazine geared towards Miami Socialites documents Carlos A. Navarro as a "Fusion Pop Artist with Cuban-Miami themes and adding nostalgia, humor, commentary, and/or sexiness". Carlos has married his culture, vibrant colors, and his own style to make Pop Art that is inviting and aesthetically pleasing.
In 2004 Ocean Drive Magazine visited Carlos A. Navarro, Miami Pop Artist, to discuss his origins as an artist. Ocean Drive Magazine described Carlos as " a brilliant artist, and consistent in his work". Carlos is constantly growing as an artist. He explores new mediums in which to bring his ideas to canvas. Carlos has painted helmets and motorcycles, created custom sculptures, along with using elements like glass and glitter to embellish his paintings. Carlos A. Navarro is a versatile artist with a passion for what he does that is emulated in his masterpieces.
Carlos A. Navarro is a Pop Artist and a Motorcycle aficionado. He has participated in the Coral Gables Event, "Choppers on the Mile" several years and has added his Pop Art style to motorcycles to be featured at the events. There have not been many artists that have adopted motorcycle culture into their work. Yet, Carlos A. Navarro has taken one of his favorite hobbies and brought it into his profession.
In a Carlos A. Navarro interview with Vis.a.Vis Magazine Carlos says he gains inspiration for his Pap Art style from Artists like: Picasso, Dali, Peter Max, Warhol, Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, as well as pin-up artists like Patrick Nagel and Vargas.
Carlos A. Navarro had his Pop Art portrait of Celia Cruz exhibited in the Smithsonian National Museum in Washington D.C. Carlos presented the piece to Celia Cruz to commemorate her for her musical contributions to the industry.
Carlos A. Navarro describes his work as Pop Art but "Mas Suave'. This originated from a reporter that told Carlos "Your art is Pop Art but Mas Suave'. Carlos A. Navarro liked this phrase so much he coined it as his description for his art. In English this translates to, your art is like Pop Art but with a softer feel.
Carlos A. Navarro has displayed his Pop Art work in Chispa restaurant in Coral Gables. Carlos A. Navarro is a very loved artist in Coral Gables. He has participated in numerous Coral Gables events and has gained a loyal following from the community.
A Newspaper Article from Bermuda that has written an article about Pop Artist, Carlos A. Navarro and his Collaboration with Bacardi. In the Article, Bacardi Chairman and CEO Ruben Rodriguez expresses that art is very important to the company. Bacardi chose Carlos to collaborate with them because his style is fun and also depicts a Cuban-American nostalgia that is integral to the brand.
Carlos A. Navarro's nostalgia for the heart-piercing boleros of Beny Moré, for flirtatious strolls along El Malecón, for the soft sand of Varadero - for any and all things Cuban - doesn't come from his own experience. A Coral Gables artist who left Cuba when he was 2 in 1961 and grew up "on Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones,'' Navarro has never been back to the island. "I tap into what I call instilled memories," "If someone mentions El Caballero de Paris, Varadero, El Morro, Beny More, I may have never experienced any of it, but I know it."
Cosmo Florida Magazine featured Carlos A. Navarro in a spread to introduce him as a Pop Artist and to note his successes as an artist. Carlos A. Navarro adapts who he is culturally as well as the beauty that inspires him around Miami, his hometown, to create a Pop Art style that is unique to him. Carlos has gained a loyal following in Miami because he incorporates Cuban-American motifs with elements of Miami.
Carlos A. Navarro painted "Katrina Blues, Ode to the City of New Orleans". Carlos made this painting to commemorate the victims from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Carlos A. Navarro showcased "Katrina Blues" in a gallery event and all proceeds went to the American Red Cross.
In 2002 the Mayor of Miami, Joe Carollo, declared November 24, 2002 as Carlos A. Navarro Day. This honor was bestowed upon Carlos to thank him for his outstanding participation within the community and as a way to thank him for all he has done.
(2002) The certificate reads "The City of Miami wishes to pay highest tribute to you for your significant contributions in support of our mission to provide a nurturing and safe community for our children. We are especially proud of you as Board Member of Amigos Together for Kids, for being a friend to our little people, softening the edges of poverty, abuse and neglect through programs designed to deal with issues of health, self esteem, education, holiday and birthday celebrations. On behalf of our citizens and our "One City… One future" initiative, we pause in our deliberations to honor your vision and philanthropy making a difference in assuring in assuring a better future for our children".
This piece was created to commemorate the "Bacardi 8 Year Old Rum". The bottle is depicted within a scene of instilled memories of Cuba. Bacardi originated in Cuba and is now an International brand. This piece was exhibited in Bermuda in July of 2001.
In 2003 Carlos A. Navarro was commissioned by Cubavera to add his Cuban style Pop Art as a means to adorn their retail locations.
Carlos A. Navarro provided his Pop Art piece titled, "Winter Wonderland" to be the cover for his daughter's Elementary School Fashion Show Program.
Carlos was chosen to feature his Pop Art as the Brochure image for the 20th Annual Salute to Florida Artists in 2004. This honor was given to Carlos for his successes as a Pop Artist and an inspiration to other Pop Artists.
Carlos A. Navarro's piece "Il Bacio" was featured in Just for Brides Magazine. "Il Bacio" is Italian for "The Kiss".
This article features a look at Carlos A. Navarro's Pop Art piece titled, "Romance at the Plaza". It was piece he painted to act as media as well as promotional material for the Brickell Plaza building.
This guitar was painted by Carlos A. Navarro to benefit the Cushman School.
Carlos A. Navarro visited children in Flagami Elementary in Miami, Florida for Career Day and taught them all about art. The children painted cards for Carlos to show their appreciation for his visit and to let him know how much fun they had.
The creators of the "Baldo" comic strip have commissioned several Hispanic artists to illustrate their own version of the Baldo comic strip to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. Hector Cantu, co-creator of "Baldo" stated, "It's a way for us to shine a spotlight on fellow artists who are doing incredible art, and giving them a chance to have their work published in the Sunday funnies". The "Baldo" comic features the daily woes of teenager Baldo Bermudez and his family. This comic takes a light-hearted satirical look at the Latino experience as well as that of American youth. Among the six artists chosen for this project is Cuban American artist, Carlos A. Navarro from Miami, Florida.
