We’re thrilled to feature muralist and painter David Camisa in our Pride Group ART SOCIAL, “Visible, A Queer Art Social”! David’s work is rich with bold expression, personal storytelling, and queer visibility. In this interview, he opens up about his creative journey, how queerness shapes his perspective, and what it means to embrace vulnerability through art.
"It gave me permission to stop chasing what I thought I should be making and start creating work that felt honest, personal, and true to me."
Q: How has your identity as a queer artist influenced your path in art and life?
Like many queer folks, I’ve always been a sensitive soul—and for a long time, I saw that as a weakness. But (shoutout to therapy!) I eventually realized that my sensitivity is actually one of my greatest strengths. That shift in perspective changed everything.
It gave me permission to stop chasing what I thought I should be making and start creating work that felt honest, personal, and true to me. And once I leaned into that, it was like doors started opening—new opportunities, unexpected connections, and a creative path that finally felt like mine.
Q: Did you always imagine yourself becoming a professional artist? What were some key moments when your career started taking shape?
I did! I was five years old when my mom bought me a comic book to keep me entertained at a doctor’s appointment—and the rest is history. I grew up believing I would become a comic book illustrator, but then I got bit by the painting bug after leaving school.
I spent about a decade working in the fine art world, and then fate (and COVID) intervened. I was offered the chance to paint my first mural for the Vancouver Mural Festival. That experience not only shifted my artistic focus—it changed the trajectory of my entire career. For the past five years, painting murals has allowed me to work as a full-time artist.
Q: Do you have any creative rituals or practices that ground you while making art—especially when expressing queerness feels vulnerable or powerful?
I wouldn’t say I have any specific rituals, but you’ll usually find me creating at home with music playing in the background. I have a pretty busy, anxious mind, and making art is one of the few things that quiets the noise and helps me focus.
It’s kind of a cosmic joke that I paint murals now, because I used to hate having anyone watch me work. Even back in school, I’d take my projects home just so I could work in peace. So the fact that I now paint giant pieces in public feels like the universe having a little laugh at my expense—but I’ve learned to embrace it.
Q: Can you tell us about the works you’re showcasing for Pride? What stories, identities, or themes do they explore?
See my artist statement at the showcase :)
Q: What hopes or goals do you have for your art moving forward—especially in terms of queer visibility, community, or personal growth?
These days, most of my work is client-based, and I feel really lucky that I’ve still been able to hold onto a strong sense of my artistic voice through it all.
That said, I’m always craving opportunities to dive even deeper into work that’s entirely my own—projects where I can fully lean into my vision, without compromise. That includes exploring more of my queer identity and finding ways to collaborate with other queer creatives.
There’s something incredibly powerful about creating from that place of authenticity and shared experience, and I’m excited to keep moving in that direction.
✨ Explore more from David Camisa:
🌐 Website: www.david-camisa.com
📸 Instagram: @davidcamisa
Stay tuned for David’s featured works in our Pride Group ART SOCIAL—an inspiring celebration of queerness, color, and creative growth.