Meet Chase Tarca | Painter, Producer & Video Editor

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

Hi Chase, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I often write the phrase, “Don’t Give Up,” to help remind me of that important reminder. But sometimes, it is wise to give up, but hard to know when.

There’s this image that always stuck with me of a person mining the earth; they are so close to the gold but decide to turn away after a long journey of work. I think that visual reminds us all that the goal could be right around the corner. I value keeping trusted people around me and having the willingness and vulnerability to ask for advice. Wise advice can help you pivot into the success you are looking for or encourage you to keep going. There is no perfect answer for this, but I believe every life has a purpose, and it’s worth finding out, so keep going and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always enjoyed art growing up, but sports took precedence until high school when I started drawing portraits. I was an all-state basketball player, but my love for basketball took a backseat when I realized a D1 scholarship or career in the NBA wouldn’t be in my future. After senior year, I applied to attend the School of Visual Arts in NYC.

Soon into my studies at SVA (School of Visual Arts), the competition looked a lot different than what I was used to. If I’m honest, I was used to being the “best athlete” in my small hometown, and now I seemed to be the “worst artist” in the room. So, I put in the time studying artists by reading books, watching films, and visiting galleries and museums in NYC. In my art, I began to emulate a lot of the greats since I still didn’t know my voice or aesthetic.

Seven years later, after graduating college and moving to LA, I am still trying to find my style and voice in my work. It’s ever-evolving, but all I know is that I love creating, learning, and searching for the next inspiration and piece, which is all somehow a part of that journey.

I now work out of a small studio on the eastside of LA where I create mostly abstract paintings that consist of strong shapes and colors that help me express the feelings inside that sometimes are hard to articulate with words. I usually work on individual or commissioned pieces where I just have an idea and execute, but my next goal is to work towards a thematic series, multiple pieces with cohesive imagery where I can explore and incorporate more literal and figurative images into my pieces. Feel free to check out my site and instagram to follow the progress 🙂

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A few go-to things for me are: S&W Country Diner in Culver City for Brunch
“The Broad” for some modern art in DTLA
“Amboy” – a Filipino joint for great burgers and fries in Chinatown
A game at Dodger Stadium, of course
“The Grant” in Glassell Park for a cocktail
Golf at any public LA course
“Little Fatty’s” in Mar Vista for some honey walnut shrimp
A sunset beach hang to end the trip

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my family and friends and all the artists who create but aren’t recognized publicly for their work. Thanks to my mom for taking me to museums and always having art supplies and projects inspiring me to create when I was growing up. Thanks to my dad and sisters for being the first to hang my art on their walls and believing in me. To Chantelle for encouraging me to create and for editing all my typos.

Website: https://www.chaseyourvision.com/paintings

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasemtarca/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasetarca/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Ctarca24/featured?app=desktop

Image Credits
Portraits by Jesy McKinney