We first met Cristina Minerva Flores Torres (Minerva) at Festival Bella Via in Monterrey, Mexico, a few years ago. We have been watching her street painting work develop over the years and thought we'd share a series of posts about her work and what she has been doing to inspire younger street painters.
Where do you live?
I live in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México. San Nicolás is next to Monterrey, both are in the same state of Nuevo León.
What is your occupation?
I'm an Industrial Designer. At this moment, I'm working at Crisa - A Libbey Company. I design decals for glass, most of all is graphic design in a very industrial matter. I love my job because I can feel and touch my ideas and it's also very challenging when big companies came to ask for designs for their publicity in glass. And this feeling is even better when your design sales are millions and millions...it feels like sharing a little piece of art.
How did you first get interested in street painting?
I got interested at the very first Festival "Bella Via" here in Monterrey, 2004. I wasn't chosen to participate in that Festival but I attended. There were a lot of very talented people that day...but the most amazing for me...equal passion about art.
How many years have you been street painting?
I've been street painting for 5 years, and now I just can't stop it!
How often do you street paint?
It depends if there are festivals or exhibitions in my state. I started to street paint once a year but last year I started to organize small festivals so there were four in a year.
Do you have a favorite subject in your street paintings?
Italian Renaissance and surrealism, maybe a mix of both. It's just that I love the technique in one and the fantasy of the other.
Do you have a favorite artist whose work you like to reproduce?
I would love to reproduce Remedios Varo or a Leonora Carrington painting. My very first try of a 3D streetpainting was the "Christ of Saint John of the Cross", a painting from Salvador Dalí.
What is your favorite street painting you have worked on to date?
This is a difficult one....
My favorite street painting: I think is "The Deluge" from the Sistine Chapel, for the International FORUM of Cultures 2007, because it was a pretty difficult part and the scale was so small so I had to be creative when working on details; it was very, very challenging.
What do you enjoy most about street painting?
Sharing. I like the fact I can share with the public this strong feeling about art. I love when kids ask their questions about the painting, the technique or even the reason why I paint. Also, I've met very talented people and learn from them so I can develop my skills.
How do you feel about the ephemeral quality of the art form?
When people come by and ask me: How can you paint on the floor all day long? What if it rains? Why don't you paint on paper or something else? How can you spend your time this way? I answered them: Sometimes I feel it’s not the final result, it’s the painting in fact. It's just an open museum in which you can see all the creative process. The fact that it will erase someday, makes you appreciate it the most you can, because you know, you won't see it again.
What is the most difficult aspect of street painting?
I think the weather. When it rains or when it is so cold. But I have to admit it, this gives a little bit of emotion and painting is more challenging.
Do you street paint in competitions or as exhibitions for the public…or both?
I've street painted in both but which I like the most is to paint for the public because this way I don't worry about the jury or my painting being qualified... In fact, I've been disqualified a couple of times! And it's funny because this has happened when people have most liked my painting.
I keep thinking that the important thing for me is to share with people what I love to do. Of course competitions are good because there are really great prizes! But winning or losing doesn't make you better or worse than the rest of the competitors...and it’s never easy for the jury to evaluate, I’ve been jury in some photographic and streetpainting contests, and I have to say, it’s hard!
Is street painting popular in Mexico?
Its popularity is increasing so fast.
Have you seen the popularity of street painting grow since you have been doing it?
Of course! 6 years ago, just a few knew about this... Now a days, every time there's a streetpainting festival people from the tv, newspapers and magazines appear! And it's great to see the next day the review, the photos and the comments of the public who attended.
Are there any other Mexican street painters whose work you really like?
Yes, Juan Andrés Vera’s technique is great! He has a pretty good sense of color and drawing too.
Stay tuned for the next part of our series on Miverva Flores. We'll be discussing what she has done in this past year to bring street painting to a younger audience!
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