Meet Peter Cepeda | Fine Artists, Muralists, Creative Director, Production manager

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

Hi Peter, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Wow, balance is a very important thing to me that I keep finding myself struggling with as much as I tend to think about it and think I fully understand it. Early on, especially in high school it was quite easy to have a real balance. I was going to school and when I came home I was doing one of two things either painting till 3:00 a.m. or skating till Nightfall and then painting till 3:00 a.m. again. It was challenging balancing Hobbies but then when I saw that I can combine them and I didn’t need to juggle them it became way easier. The art I made was on clothing that I wore while I skated in the video that I posted on my social media so it kind of all came full circle especially in high school. Getting into college though was a whole different ball park. I had real adult responsibilities. On top of juggling My Life as a student I also carry responsibilities such as living on my own and providing for myself which all of those were answered by my art. So I was shifting each part of my life aspect more towards my work to further balance it because to me it wasn’t work it was just the things that I enjoyed and met. Even now I still struggle with finding balance. Sometimes I could be a workaholic working for hours and days on end not finding much time for myself and neglecting my health, because I view the work as time for myself. After feeling burnt out for a while and I got back into just enjoying mundane life things, going out with my friends, putting more focus on other responsibilities in my life it made me realize how much of a balance I need between my artwork and everything else. This was a revelation because everything else is what actually fueled my artwork so if I didn’t have everything else I couldn’t even create my artwork and if I was, it’s just creating artwork that is void of substance and didn’t feel like me. Unforgettable nights with my friends to the worst breakup ever to being homeless has taught me a lot and has made me really fond over each and every experience whether positive or negative because all of it just fuels the fire

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.
So firstly I’m a painter and my main medium is acrylic paint. My art is pretty Broad with the subject matter but the themes that I try to attack are all seen throughout. My subject matter can range from historical religious iconography all the way to cultural icons from the 20th century. I love the mundane in a very extraordinary way. I really love introducing a really cool technical aspect to my paintings that not only a casual art lover would enjoy but also a painter seeing the techniques in which it took to get there. I try to tackle issues like racism here in America, Wealth Injustice, and ironic political commentary. Apart from my actual painting style that sets me apart I think my work ethic and my ability to work so fast sets me apart from a lot of other artists. when I tell people how long it’s taking me to finish a piece I’m usually met with an open jaw and disbelief. and it’s really second nature to me because I’ve been not only drawing my whole life but but started painting right after Elementary School and I just haven’t stopped so was it easy yeah cuz it was fun but it take a lot of time, But it was still a truly daunting task developing my art skills and putting myself out like that I wasn’t met with the best reception all the time, okay.. most of the time there were some bullies. anytime I take a moment to reflect upon things I have accomplished I try not to stay too proud so I can focus on the next projects but a few that I’m extremely proud of is firstly my first mural commission which was for my favorite late artist Lil peep being in contact with his mom and creating an art piece for her especially such on a grand scale and being paid was a dream come true. Even though I had no mural experience at that time I told them I did and it worked out perfectly. A recent accomplishment I’m more proud of Is some tour merch I designed for an artist and seeing everywhere around the world that it was being shipped out to just made me freak out. I couldn’t fathom that in these remote places of the world that I’ve never been to, couldn’t even pronounce, couldn’t even fathom having artwork from me and rocking it that was just truly surreal. Man I learned so many lessons along the way I could probably write a book when it comes to my actual craft and work ethic. It has developed so much and infinitely has improved with time. Some other valuable things I learned is cherishing the people around you, especially the ones helping you and helping you achieve your dream. Seeing people give me support and send messages of encouragement even when I don’t know them, were across the world and they never met me has also put Such Wonder and all into my head. Especially artists, we are really nothing without the people who support us. Thank you to not only the people who enjoy my art and consider themselves fans, but also the friends and the family that help me get along the way too, because my Mom was my first Fan.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay so this actually happens quite often. I was born and raised in LA so to say LA is like the back of my hand is cliche at this point. but I seriously love this city. To start off the day we’re going to have breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants, Scotty’s on the Strand in Hermosa Beach. I love eating the same shit. Any restaurant I go to I get the same thing every time so I don’t focus on the food but rather the atmosphere. It’s right next to the beach and wow do I constantly need to be around a body of water. right after we would walk along the Strand where I would practice running track early in high school or get into trouble skating with my friends. We make our way over to, two murals I did in Redondo Beach that are about a 10-minute walk from Scotty’s. From there will most likely go to West Hollywood. I really have a love and hate relationship with West Hollywood but I keep finding myself back there. Do some shopping/research hopefully but also texting my friends who own clothing brands cuz I love purchasing clothes for my friends. I’m not going to lie when it comes to me personally I don’t like to party very often so at this point we either go ice skating maybe watch a movie and just relax, honestly just an activity that they would enjoy just as much as me. I love ice skating but it could be any type of sport if this friend skates we’re going skating. if the plans involve more people though we’re all meeting up at either my apartment or friends and getting ready to go hit a party or an event. Going to a party or an event in La where you know you know everybody and your friends are going to be there is truly a beautiful evening. Little side note I actually invited all my friends to this party that my friend was performing at and I brought a group of seven to 10 friends and everyone got let up except me haha. but when it’s a good night you run into people you haven’t seen in Forever and end up sharing a drink and just having a lovely night either in Downtown LA or most likely West Hollywood. If some type of art project or some type of work is lined up for me for that day I will scratch a lot of those plans and take my friend along. I really love having friends to accompany me while I’m working. I really love having a comfortable creative environment in order to comfortably interact with my friend and my favorite hobby. But anytime I have friends from out of town visit me or even old friends I always try to introduce them to any aspect that the art world has brought to me whether that be people or experiences because it is truly a blessing and an honor to experience the things that I do and I just want to share with all my loved ones

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?
Firstly God. But There’s so many people I want to shout out if you guys gave me the platform I’d be here reading out the role like it was attendance. Yeah but starting off from the beginning one of my biggest reasons why I’m doing what I’m doing is my brother Jimmy he was the one who got me into drawing and comic books in kindergarten, since then I haven’t stopped drawing. another person who definitely has a more brief role than some of my other shout outs was my seventh grade history teacher Mr tracer. that 7th grade year was a year that I was just getting into painting and I was very unsure of myself and insecure and I don’t have much memory of that time but I remember showing a piece of artwork to Mr tracer and he said something along like wow that’s really professional your professional, in response I said I’m not a professional nowhere near he then asked me have you sold any artwork which I replied yes and he said well you’re a “fucking professional”, since that day on I’ve been carrying myself as such and really hold myself to a high standard and a lot of respect. To keep this brief lastly my family members; My Mom & Dad, My sisters Rachelle, Rosie and my old friend Scott are the reason why half if not all my artworks/projects even got accomplished.Thank you.

Website: currently working on a new and improved site

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pc.401/

Image Credits
Ryder Lee
Me