
About
CARLV12 Photography by Carlos Vargas

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.
Once chosen, CARLV12 submits the digital photo to the responsible media partner, then it's sent to you.
We work with international, world renowned manufacturers who guarantee a perfect product.
Art Options
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
Special orders and commissions welcome



About Me

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.
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Colonial architecture of the east coast,
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Victorian homes in the mid-west,
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Art deco buildings and design of South Florida and Oklahoma,
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Pueblo style of the southwest,
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Mid-century everything in the Coachella Valley,
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And of course, the 1950’s and 1960’s neon signs
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all over the country
Open your eyes
and see what’s around you!
It’s kinda like stopping to smell the flowers!
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Exhibitions and Events
Group Exhibitions
SIGNS OF THE TIMES CALIFORNIA
The Perfect Exposure Gallery - Alhambra, CA 2014
SIGN GEEKS
Space Gallery - Pomona, CA 2014
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
INSTAGRAMLAND 2019
The Perfect Exposure Gallery - Alhambra, CA 2019
POPULART
IBC - International Bear Convergence - Palm Springs, CA 2020
A:8 EXTASIS VISUAL
Mercuria Gallery at the Palermo Home - Bogotá, Colombia Dec 1/21 - Feb 15/22
CONTEMPORARY ART OBSERVATORY
Alianza Francesa de Cartagena - Cartagena, Colombia July 7 - 29/22
Upcoming Events

VILLAGE FEST PALM SPRINGS - SEASON ENDED
Palm Springs Downtown
Space N138 - Across from Tommy Bahama
150 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA
Thursdays 6 pm to 10 pm - BACK IN OCTOBER
ARTWALK SUMMER SERIES - JUST ADDED
San Diego, CA
Arts District at Liberty Station North Promenade
Friday, June 2
3 pm - 8 pm
HERMOSA BEACH FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
Hermosa Beach, CA
Hermosa Beach Community Center
Saturday, Sunday June 10 - 11
10 am - 5:00 pm
ART IN THE VILLAGE
Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad Village
Sunday June 25
10 am - 5:00 pm
LOS ALTOS ARTS + WINE FESTIVAL
Los Altos, CA
Downtown Los Altos Village
Main and State Streets between First and Edith
Saturday, Sunday July 8 - 9
10 am - 6:00 pm
ARTWALK SUMMER SERIES - JUST ADDED
San Diego, CA
Piazza della Famiglia
Sunday, July 23
11 am - 5 pm
ARTWALK LIBERTY STATION
San Diego, CA
Ingram Plaza
Saturday, Sunday August 5 - 6
10 am - 5:00 pm
PALO ALTO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Palo Alto, CA
Downtown Palo Alto
University Avenue between High and Webster Streets
Saturday, Sunday August 26 - 27
10 am - 6:00 pm
MORE DATES AND LOCATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON
Solo Exhibitions
THE COLE HOTEL
Palm Springs, CA - Fall 2020 to Spring 2021


Contact Us
CARLV12 - Photography by Carlos Vargas
PO Box 4504
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Tel. 760-459-4390
Info@carlv12.com
Tell Us


