Master Watercolorist and Gentle Soul: Carlos Gonzales
By Celeste Roche | Correspondent at March 20, 2024 | 10:00 am | Print
The New Britain City Journal is currently running a series of articles introducing residents of the New Britain Artists’ Cooperative. This article is the third of the series.
Carlos Gonzalez, a well-regarded watercolorist, has been living in the New Britain Artists’ Cooperative for five years. He says he couldn’t imagine life anywhere else and is grateful for the time and space to focus on his painting.
“I’m very methodical,” he says. He maintains a schedule designed to maximize the use of natural light in his workspace.
Gonzalez thinks people might not understand that painting borders upon being a spiritual or meditative practice for him. “I love how it makes me feel, especially when I produce something. I can be overwhelmed by my own capacities.”
Gonzalez studied at the New England School of Art and Design and was active in the surrounding arts community before moving to Connecticut. He previously served on the Arts Commission, had his work featured in City Hall for the Art in the Heart of the City program and was invited to the New Britain Institute as a result of his phenomenal cultural contribution to the community.
His work features landscapes with an emphasis on coastal areas. Gonzalez only sells originals, despite his awareness of how lucrative producing prints could be.
“His approach really made me slow down with my own work,” says another resident. “There’s a lot of dignity in the way he creates.”
When asked what made him decide to pursue art seriously, he doesn’t hesitate to name his mother.
“I used to be homeless,” he says. “She bought me some watercolors, and I started to paint.”
He’s hopeful that New Britain will be able to find new ways to help the homeless population to achieve a better quality of life.
It takes him a few minutes to come up with anything he doesn’t like about the Co-Op..
“I wish I had more space for my work,” he says.
The biggest challenge for the advancement of the Cooperative, he believes, is to be able to generate more income for both individuals and the group, primarily through the sale of work.
Gonzalez brightly remarks that he likes everybody who lives in the Cooperative and appreciates that each artist brings her own style and methods to the group.
His neighbors have an equally contented view of him.
“Carlos is the man,” says Elliot Vallez, a fellow painter. “He’s why this place exists and needs to function correctly.”
“He makes the most beautiful art—and makes marketable art,” says neighbor Nicki LaPorte. “And he participates in everything. He’s very helpful.”
“Carlos is the kindest, gentlest man you’ll ever meet,” notes resident Sean Vivier. “He’s an amazing painter, yet deeply humble at the same time. I can’t think of a single unkind word to say about him.”
“People talk about putting their heart into things, but Carlos really does,” says another neighbor.
Despite having fallen upon rough times in the past and presently working to overcome a frustrating speech impediment, Gonzalez remains cheerful and optimistic.
“Life has been pretty good,” he says. “There’s no reason not to be positive.”
