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Photography Collections
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About CARLV12

About

CARLV12 Photography by Carlos Vargas

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All CARLV12 photographs were personally taken and edited by Carlos Vargas using state of the art cameras, lenses and multiple editing software. We’ve researched and sampled a wide range of products and have chosen the world’s best fabricators/manufacturers to produce your artwork.

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Once chosen, CARLV12 submits the digital photo to the responsible media partner, then it's sent to you. 

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We work with international, world renowned manufacturers who guarantee a perfect product.​

Art Options

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The way YOU want to see our photos

 

Framed or unframed prints

Framed or unframed giclée canvas

Ultra HD Prints under acrylic glass

Ultra HD Prints on aluminum dibond

Prints mounted on styrene

Any size you want

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Special orders and commissions welcome

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About Me

About Me

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My name is Carlos Vargas and I was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia.

I’ve moved around over the years; Austin, Texas; Panama City, Panama; San Jose, Costa Rica; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Albuquerque, New Mexico and now I’m living in Palm Springs, California.

 

I’ve always been interested in the “mechanical arts” including architecture, automotive and the neon art of vintage signage. Old neon signs are art, pure and simple. Unfortunately, they are being destroyed at an alarming rate. There are places that house, restore, display and honor these magnificent signs. The Neon Museum in Las Vegas, NV, American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, OH, and proudly, MONA, the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, CA where my fellow Sign Geeks and I were part of the Grand Opening Celebration, where we displayed over a hundred photos of vintage neon signs.

 

I started taking pictures when I was a teenager. I spent summers in South Beach admiring all the neon on the art deco buildings; then on and off until the last decade. Social media, like Instagram and Facebook, connected me to people and signs from around the world including my Sign Geeks family. Living in New Mexico, where a major section of Route 66 is, presented me with a huge photographic opportunity. I had been to Palm Springs numerous times and finally moved here in September 2018. Palm Springs has a very robust Mid-Century vibe, which is evident in the architecture and cars, add to that palm trees, snowcapped mountains and the movie star history, and you have a magical place with amazing photo prospects.

 

Photography IS my major passion, obsession and fixation.

I Celebrate Color

The dazzling colors of the Caribbean are my

inspirational palette for the bright hues

in my photography.

Growing up I was able to appreciate the vibrant shades

of tropical colors splashed on street murals, soft pastels glazed over historic buildings, brightly colored 

colonial-style structures, beautifully

weathered patinas of period facades and

the lushness of nature. 

I travel across the United States and around the world with my cameras.

Whenever something catches my eye, whether it be signs, buildings or landscapes, I take as many photos as I can from different angles and with different lenses and light.

The road trips were the most fun, especially those following Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.

The history and diversity of design periods around the USA is amazing.

  • Colonial architecture of the east coast,

  • Victorian homes in the mid-west,

  • Art deco buildings and design of South Florida and Oklahoma,

  • Pueblo style of the southwest,

  • Mid-century everything in the Coachella Valley,

  • And of course, the 1950’s and 1960’s neon signs 

  • all over the country

Open your eyes
and see what’s around you!
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It’s kinda like stopping to smell the flowers!
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Social Media

Social Media

Find us on

  • Facebook

Facebook

  • Tumblr Social Icon

Tumblr

  • Instagram

Instagram

Social Media
Events

Exhibitions and Events

Group Exhibitions

SIGNS OF THE TIMES CALIFORNIA

The Perfect Exposure Gallery - Alhambra, CA 2014

 

SIGN GEEKS 

Space Gallery - Pomona, CA 2014

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SIGNS FROM DIFFERENT WORLDS: VIENNA MEETS LOS ANGELES

West 46 Gallery - Vienna, Austria 2015

 

SIGN GEEKS VINTAGE NEON PHOTOGRAPHY

MONA Museum of Neon Art - Glendale, CA 2016

 

POPULART

IBC - International Bear Convergence - Palm Springs, CA 2019

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INSTAGRAMLAND 2019

The Perfect Exposure Gallery - Alhambra, CA 2019

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POPULART

IBC - International Bear Convergence - Palm Springs, CA 2020

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A:8 EXTASIS VISUAL

Mercuria Gallery at the Palermo Home - Bogotá, Colombia Dec 1/21 - Feb 15/22

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CONTEMPORARY ART OBSERVATORY

Alianza Francesa de Cartagena - Cartagena, Colombia July 7 - 29/22

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Solo Exhibitions

THE COLE HOTEL

Palm Springs, CA - Fall 2020 to Spring 2021

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Upcoming Events
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VILLAGE FEST PALM SPRINGS

Palm Springs Downtown

Space N138 - Across from Tommy Bahama

150 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA

Thursdays 6 pm to 10 pm - BACK NOVEMBER 2ND

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NEWPORT BEACH ART IN THE PARK

Newport Beach, CA

Civic Center

100 Civic Center Drive

Saturday, September 23

10 am - 4 pm

 

MONTANA AVENUE ART WALK

Santa Monica, CA

Montana Ave form 9th - 17th Street

Saturday, September 30

1 pm - 7 pm

 

THE PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM FALL SHOW

Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs Convention Cemter

Opening Night Party

Friday, October 20

6 pm - 8 pm

Show Hours:

Saturday, October 21

10 am - 6 pm

Sunday, October 22

10 am - 4 pm

 

SUPERFINE ART FAIR

San Francisco, CA

Gallery 308 at Fort Mason

Grand Opening Gala

Thursday, November 16

Show Hours:

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 17 - 19

 

TEMPE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Tempe, AZ

Downtown Tempe

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

December 3-5

10 am - 6 pm

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MORE DATES AND LOCATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Contact Us
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Contact Us

CARLV12 - Photography by Carlos Vargas

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PO Box 4504 
Palm Springs, CA 92263

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Tel. 760-459-4390

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Info@carlv12.com

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