Meet Alfred Timothy Adriano Camacho

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alfred Timothy Adriano Camacho and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alfred Timothy Adriano, what inspires you?
What inspires me are the experiences I’ve had through relationships with friends and family, shaping me into who I am today. As an Asian American artist, I aim to represent my community and share our stories, reflecting our diverse and rich experiences. My art is deeply rooted in the lives of those around me—friends who bring joy and family who provide support. They are my primary source of inspiration.

Creating art based on the people I care about allows me to capture precious memories and emotions. When someone sees my work and recognizes a familiar face or a shared moment, it evokes a sense of connection and nostalgia that is incredibly fulfilling. The ability to materialize a memory into a painting is uniquely powerful.

Incorporating elements like sheet music into my portraits adds another layer of emotional depth. Music evokes strong feelings, and combining it with visual art creates a powerful synergy. This blend of music and art reflects their integral role in my life and how they influence my creative process.

When asked what inspires me, it truly is the people around me. They shape who I am and who I strive to be. We are a reflection of the closest people in our lives. My art showcases that I am a product of my friends and loved ones, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and shared experiences.

Additionally, creating art is an expression of all five love languages. Quality time is spent in the meticulous process of painting. Acts of service and gift-giving are evident in the handmade nature of my work, as I dedicate time and effort to create something meaningful. Emotional touch is present in the deep connections I convey through my art. Words of affirmation are embedded in the thoughtful reflections and relationships that inspire my pieces.

Ultimately, my inspiration comes from the love and connections I share with the people around me. My art is a testament to those relationships.

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 me apart is my love for painting the people who bring joy to my life. For me, painting is a love language—the highest form of love I can give. I want to be remembered as someone who genuinely loved the people he painted, creating pieces that capture their essence and emotions. When someone says, “Dude, this is amazing,” it means the world to me.

Getting to where I am today has been challenging. Art school was a tough but invaluable experience. It helped me grow and understand myself better. Back then, I often got criticized for always painting pieces of me smiling. My professors told me that it wasn’t really a thing in art. This made me try painting more severe content and tones, but after some time, I realized I needed to paint for myself and what makes me happy. Now, I paint myself with my friends and family, showing my love and appreciation for them through my art. Seeing the joy and emotion my paintings bring to their faces will always fill me with a deep sense of fulfillment.

Ultimately, I want to be remembered for both my art and the positive impact I made on those around me. While everyone knows me as a funny and goofy guy, I hope to also be remembered as a genuinely passionate and dedicated artist who loved painting. I pursued art because it brings me happiness, regardless of what others think. If my paintings make my subjects feel cherished and seen, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh! This sounds like a lot of fun!

Start the day right with a trip to Phin Smith in Garden Grove for their mind-blowing banana coffee. It’s the best Vietnamese coffee you’ll ever have and a perfect energy boost for our adventure.

Head to the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), one of my favorite places. Spend the morning exploring the captivating exhibits and taking cute photos with the stunning art. It’s a perfect spot to soak in creativity and inspiration.

Drive to Westminster to visit Art Supply Warehouse. This place has been a lifesaver during my college years and still is today. It’s a paradise for artists with a vast selection of supplies. Whether you’re stocking up on essentials or finding something new to experiment with, this place has it all.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Charm Siam in Long Beach. Their Khao Soi noodles are incredible, and although parking can be a hassle, the flavors make it totally worth it.

Head home for a bit of rest before the evening fun. For dinner, it’s off to Ziggle Korean BBQ in Artesia, me and my best friend, Justin’s go-to spot. Pregame if the line is over five minutes. Picture us pouring each other soju shots and laughing our heads off. Pork jowl is a must-have from the premium menu. Our antics here are legendary – we always overeat, but that’s part of the fun!

Later at night, hit up all our friends and decide between Arena OC or Heat Lounge LA. Both are super fun spots with great music and vibes, making for an unforgettable night out- did I forget to mention ABGs?

Start the day with a breakfast/lunch combo. Begin at Oncle’s Cafe in Gardena for their heavenly strawberry tiramisu, then head to Smoking Tiger for some excellent coffee and pastries. It’s the perfect way to fuel up for a day of exploration.

Drive to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Spend the late morning wandering through its diverse exhibits, playing our usual game of mimicking sculpture poses – always good for a laugh and some great photos.

Since it’s close by, head over to the Americana at Brand for some shopping and more fun. The lively atmosphere, shops, and cafes make it a great spot to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

Head to Fountain Valley for dinner at VOX Kitchen. Their ribeye steak garlic noodles and saltado are simply to die for. One time, Justin and I were number 62 in line, so naturally, we pregamed a bit too hard, and the night turned into a hilarious blur. Let’s hope next time we remember to savor every bite!

Head home to freshen up and then drive to Koreatown for a night of club hopping. Start at Mama Lion, where the crowd is a bit older, but the vibes are great. Later, get a little wild at Terracotta with all the delinquents. It’s always a blast with great music and dancing.

Recover from the night out with a trip to Stereoscope Coffee in Long Beach. Their coffee is excellent and will help kickstart our day.

Head to Sup Noodle Bar in Buena Park for some comforting bone marrow pho. It’s the perfect hangover cure, and if you ask nicely, they’ll give you unlimited noodles – a definite bonus.

Spend the rest of the day at home, recovering from the night out and just chilling. It’s a perfect time to relax, watch some movies, and hang out with friends. I love flipping through all the wild videos and photos from the weekend. Seeing the laughter and fun shared with my friends always inspires me. These memories are a big part of what fuels my creativity. It’s a reminder of how important it is to cherish these moments and find joy in the connections I’ve made.

Making friends outside of college has been a challenge, and I initially thought college would be where I’d find my true friends. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I’m so grateful, though, for the friends I have now. Many of them are people I’ve known for less than a year or just over a year, but they’ve become an essential part of my life. Their friendship has added so much color and warmth to my world, and their support means everything. As I relax and sketch out new art ideas inspired by this weekend’s adventures, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have found such wonderful people. These friends have become my chosen family, and the memories we create together continue to spark new inspiration and creativity in my art.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shout-out to my high school art teacher, Daphne Schrampf. She was the first person who truly believed in me and supported my artistic journey. At fifteen, her encouragement to keep drawing and creating art, despite any criticism, was invaluable. Without her support during those formative years, I wouldn’t have nurtured the passion and confidence to pursue art. Daphne’s belief in my potential planted a crucial seed in my heart, allowing my love for art to grow. Her mentorship played a significant role in shaping who I am today as an artist.

Website: alfredtimothy.squarespace.com

Instagram: instagram.com/alfredtimothy.art

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alfredtimothy