Check Out Abel Sosa’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abel Sosa. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My full name is Amin Abel Sosa Baez, but I prefer Abel Sosa. I was born in Dominican Republic, Santiago. I had an incompetent mother so I grew up with my aunt, and uncle in a little town named Esperon, in the outskirts of Dajabon. Before the age of 6 months, I had already experienced my first close encounter with death, being hospitalized over 22 times due to poor nurturing. Growing up, we did not have running water, electricity, and all the comforts poverty in America still provides. Everything was cultivated, traded, and turned into a resource. Our first television came around 1995, a b/w set 12in./12inch with 3 channels picked up from a wire antenna, powered by a car battery. It was charged frequently in the pueblo. Sometimes I would catch the bulls’ games highlights as I kept a 23-jersey growing up. The tradition later became a fitted ball cap. 

In 1999 my father and stepmother brought me to the United States, Long Island New York where I was adopted to their formed family, along with my little brother Richard. Not knowing any English, I quickly learned to adapt and teach myself at a rapid rate. Upon reaching 6th grade could help the family with words, and understanding, but this is also when I started to feel like just knowing the language was not enough so I worked on accent for the next few years. Art was also becoming an instruction to my world through cartoons, anime, even Elmo, and Barney. Television became knowledge in many aspects of history as well as catching up with music. I played baseball, and boxing through those years until 2005. Art flourished at this period from DragonBall z sketches to oil paintings my parents cherished. 

We moved to Highpoint, NC, next to Greensboro. From Red Devils to Bison, I adopted the Southern Charm and went off to Join the military at barely 18. Serving 4 years+ in the United States Marine Corp as a 0341 Mortartman for 2/9 Golf company Weapons Platoon in direct Support of Line platoons. Deploying to Ramadi, Iraq in 2008-09, Marja, Afghanistan 2010-11. Having no Immune Disorders, allergies, skin complexion, and a middle eastern first name gave me an advantage overseas to adapt a little easier than others. Enduring this period became something I would cherish for the rest of my life. 

2011-2015 I ventured the east Coast from top to bottom finding the right place I could see myself living in. Picked up a few trades, doing construction, electrical, machinery. This is the period where I learned to go fast and become even more efficient in work environments. I learned to hustle in forms of performance as I took advantage of my long 6’4″ frame in physical situations. My art had taken a new form in the medium of acrylics, creating portraits, and imaginary thoughts. 

In 2015, my demons caught up with me in the form of PTSD. First-year in Nashville was a struggle bus, I became homeless dealing with relations, and my own internal struggle. I honed myself within a year under the VA services. Overcoming homelessness within 3 months, and never panhandling a single dime, my pride would have been tainted if I did. In February 2016 Operation Stand Down hired me as a front desk Manager assistant helping serve the community to rehabilitate veterans. 

Something about Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson just drew me to Broadway. Already having painted the middle finger Johnny I knew there was more for me to learn in this city so I started working at Rippy’s by late 2016, from security to serving customers I just wanted to work and keep proving a service in some way. In 2017 I started school at the Art Institute of Nashville, quickly derailing to what it became. In 2018 tootsies became the new team while working my way through school. 

Picking up Watkins College of Arts, losing yet another Art school to Belmonts Absortion right before Covid. During these years the Camera drew me in, Nashville has so much to capture that I started venturing the city on own walking or with friends I met along the way. Still continuing working Broadway at places like Whiskey Row, Demos, The Joseph, and now Justin Timberlake’s fine dining Speakeasy The 1230 club. Art school was put on a pause but my drive to capture the city in every way still continues. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are men that fight one day and are good, others fight one year and they’re better, and there are those who fight many years and are very good, but there are the ones who fight their whole lives and those are the indispensable ones- Bertolt Bretch 

There is a song in Spanish by Silvio Rodríguez my father would play for me, Duemo con Serpientes. These words have resonated through my life. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m proud of my service, it has given me the backbone in this country to say that I belong here despite my name, skin, and any indifference others cast over me. I’m proud of my struggles they keep me humble, I know what it feels like to lose and get back up. With my art, I have no definitive destination as I experience them through periods of melancholy and lone wolf ventures. My current pieces, Willie Nelson, Marilyn Monroe, Melancolía have embedded my struggles. With photography, it focuses on hope, as I idolize the peak of a tower like a beacon of heroes. If I have a specific interest of venture it has to be from my favorite Artist Salvador Dali whose surreal works resonate in my thoughts. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Trust is difficult to come by, really heavily on your own ability to complete tasks first before others. Hone your skills, as much as the fillet knife. Take initiative, complacency kills drive. Make your bed every morning! 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abel1sosa/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/RemininceMediaProduction/

Image Credits
Abel Sosa