New York City is often perceived as a bustling metropolis where towering skyscrapers and famous landmarks steal the spotlight. But hidden among the chaos of the city’s streets, Brooklyn-based artist Daniel Cortes has discovered a unique source of inspiration and beauty. Battling depression and various struggles, Cortes turned to the art of miniatures and dioramas, ultimately using the city itself as a canvas for his creative journey to success.
For Daniel Cortes, art became a lifeline in the midst of personal darkness. He shared his journey, saying, “When you’re going through anxiety, depression, and you’re going through so many things that your back is against the wall, you feel like the world is against you.” However, when he sat down to work on one of his miniature pieces, a transformation occurred. “So I feel like God reset the world like awesome, like, I did this for you,” he said.
Cortes’s art not only helped him rediscover his own creativity but also allowed him to rebuild connections with loved ones. He mentioned how his mother’s appreciation for his work served as a bridge between them. “My mom she sees these beautiful things like, ‘Wow, you got some talent. You should throw it on Facebook,'” Cortes said. “I connected with her, like, wow, this is me going through everything I’m going through now, I’m working on art, and I’m connecting with my mom, something that never happened before.”
Turning his newfound passion into a business venture, Cortes began selling his miniatures online. His first sale, a miniature ice box, fetched $30. Astonished by the response, he raised his prices for more intricate pieces, and today, his creations sell for hundreds of dollars. In a testament to his artistic prowess, he proudly shared, “I made this yesterday. Put it on the website. Sold in 10 minutes, $2,500.”
What sets Cortes apart from other artists is his choice of subject matter. Instead of grandiose landscapes or famous landmarks, he draws inspiration from the ordinary scenes of New York City streets. With a discerning eye, he finds the beauty in everyday objects and scenes, turning mundane items like mailboxes, dumpsters, sticker-covered storefronts, and basketball hoops into miniature masterpieces.
Cortes eloquently described his approach, stating, “We don’t take time to see the beauty around us. Like when someone’s depressed, with anxiety, and has so much stuff that’s going on, that’s ugly to them… But everything portrays beauty, and everything, you just got to stop and look, look around you.”
However, for Daniel Cortes, the true measure of success lies beyond the price tags on his art pieces. He aspires to be a beacon of hope for others who are battling their own inner demons. “Because I’m proof. I’ve been there in the darkest times, and I got out of it. And it starts with you. Because you can manifest everything you want. And you know, this isn’t gonna happen unless you take action,” he emphasized.
In a city renowned for its skyscrapers and fast-paced life, Daniel Cortes reminds us all to slow down, appreciate the beauty in the mundane, and find inspiration in unexpected places. His remarkable journey from personal struggles to artistic success is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and self-belief. Cortes’s art serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, the world can be reset, and beauty can be found in the most ordinary of things.Top of Form