Miguel Gonzalez – Kayapa Creative Studio

What’s your favourite place on the Northern Beaches?
My home, it’s where I create and play with my family. Now if it’s about where to go out, then I’d say Long Reef Headland.

Is there something about you that would surprise people?
I’m a big crier (there’s not a word in English for it), “un llorón”, I cry for everything, from hearing music to watching Grey’s Anatomy.

What’s something everyone should do at least once?
Get a tattoo.

It’s Sunday afternoon, where do we find you?
At home, making a BBQ on our balcony, getting ready for a family movie.

If you were down to your last $50 what would you spend it on?
I’d buy a coffee and a Nutella cookie, then give the rest of the money to Gabby (wife), she’s way more responsible than me, she’ll probably make magic with it.

Business

How did Kayapa, La Crème and BAD happen?  How long have you been operating?
When we arrived in Australia in 2013, Gabby and I started Kayapa as a creative studio focusing on art, design and branding projects. Then we co-founded La Crème in 2017 acknowledging the incredible creative community that until then was spread all over the place – we wanted to get them all in the same space creating and collaborating. From there, in 2018, we co-found BAD (Brookvale Arts District), visioning the same concept of collaborating but on a larger scale between neighbouring businesses to enhance the experience of this District.

Best business experience?
As a mural artist, when I get to paint a large wall. Even better if I’m on a boom-lift.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? Architecture. It’s my “professional background” that I traded for art and community. But it’s always there.

Best part of your job or most enjoyable part of your job?
Being able to connect with amazing people and hopefully inspire others to do more of what they really love.

Most stressful part of your job?
Making the previous question financially sustainable.

Weirdest thing that has ever happened at work?
I got invited to design the characters for a Virtual Reality ‘pornographic’ video game. My lack of “correct language” (especially in english as my second one), was evident when trying to explain the personalities, scenes and poses to some corporate peeps in the room.

What’s the best part of working on the Northern Beaches? Why’d you chose to work here?
The beaches, they are right there, 5 minutes away, anytime you need them. – We choose it here because Gabby and I believe the ocean brings the best in everyone, so why not live and work near it and offer it to our daughter?

Personal

What would you rate 10/10?
Easy – Gabby

What is the best advice you’ve received?
I’ll give you three that I remember everyday:
Breathe, don’t take it personal & embrace your limitations.

Greatest strength?
My ability to quickly accept when I’m wrong, learn from it and move on.

Greatest weakness?
I am an introvert. Communicating with others can be challenging for me at times, especially when it involves speaking in a language that is not my natural one. This can sometimes cause me to miss out on valuable opportunities both personally and professionally.

What’s your idea of absolute happiness?
Whatever is happening now in this moment I’m writing this, including the good, the bad and the ugly.

Which two famous people would you choose to be stuck in a lift with?
Thom Yorke (Radiohead) and Alberto Mielgo (Film director and animator) – the collaboration that could come from those two would change the world.

How do you switch off?
I take “a deep breathe”, release and paint

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Mango, I have to eat it by myself and make a mess out of it, without judgements.

Who’s your personal hero?
My mum (rest in peace), without a doubt.

If you were an animal, what would you be?
A magpie. I love those suckers.

How would you like to be remembered?
As a happy dude, with heaps of different art-skills, who helped bring some people together to make this community a beautiful and better place in the map and in history.

If we could ask you one more question, what would it be and what’s your answer?
Do you think everyone is creative? – Absolutely, every decision we make everyday requires creativity, it’s up to us to try different ways, or stick to the same. Gracias!