Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Rodriguez.
Mario, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Killeen, Texas. (45min-1hr from Austin). I’ve grown up being an artist because my mother & father are both tattoo artists’. My dad was a rapper, singer, tattoo artist and he’s good at painting too. Them & the community they kept around them inspired me to pursue art. I’ve always jumped around with what type of art I’m making, I don’t like to box myself in and say I can “only” make one or two forms of art. I think art is fluid and if you understand the fundamentals of good art you can translate that into any medium. So I’ve gone from drawing, crocheting, and writing lyrics as a kid in elementary school to learning how to sew and making my own clothes from middle school to early high school. I eventually got into graphic design, making 3D art in the digital space, photography, and music production in high school. These days I focus the hardest on design in the music and fashion industries & Music is still a hobby of mine I indulge in for fun.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My art career has always been do or die for me. There’s been times (pre-highschool graduation) when I stopped making art, it just became a whole lotta video games & watching Anime. Currently the only things I would see as a struggle is bringing in clients for design, which is a subject that eludes me often, so I’ve realized I just have to continue to build my own vision and let the customers come as they see me work.
Coolridge Studio – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I essentially have two businesses that run perpendicular to each other. Coolridge Studio is a design studio focused on creative services for people in the fashion & music industries. I do a lot of cover art, 3D visualizers, Logo Design / Branding & Illustration. Then there’s my personal brand where I go by my first and my middle name which is “Mario Angel. I make clothing, share my music, and share my illustrations through this name. I’m known for being a sort of an “every man” when it comes to the things I do, in one day I can go from making a few beats, designing covers for clients, sewing together clothes, then rapping & making songs on my free time. My main focus does stand in becoming a great designer though, after much time of soul searching and testing things out design comes the most natural to me. I think what sets me apart from others is my undying thirst for knowledge, I’m always reading or researching something to take me to the next level and broaden my world view.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think success depends on personal preferences, but what success will look like for me is owning a lot of land to build businesses and community with. That’s my biggest goal, to be able to leave my family and my (future) children land & businesses they can use as a platform to elevate themselves. Success looks like putting my family on land where we can all eat food we make, have fun in a garden we grow. I also want to find success by working with some of my idols such as Kanye West & Elon Musk, people who push the ball forward for humanity.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mariotheangel.com/
- Email: cx3business@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariotheangel
Image Credit:
Mario Angel
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