We were lucky to catch up with Mercedes Vega recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mercedes, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Since my medium is digital, I had to learn how to use Adobe Suite. It was a challenge to complete my work exactly how I wanted it because I was lost on how to properly use the software, and I didn’t have time to learn it due to the workload; I learned enough to complete my assignments. As a result, my digital art wasn’t my best in comparison to my studio art. Once I graduated college, I was able to make more time to watch tutorials on Youtube on how to create different projects with the software, and I improved tremendously. I also took more time to practice before going into a big project. If I could’ve done things differently, I would have made more time to watch tutorials to improve my assignments.

The most essential skill was being versatile. While following the tutorials on Youtube, I was able to learn different styles of art and techniques to use with the software, primarily with Photoshop. These are skills that are useful for a plethora of careers.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up, art was my escape for personal issues I was dealing with at home; it was one of the few outlets I had, and It was a way to control my anxiety. I also struggled with articulating myself and comprehending my trauma for what is was, so drawing it out was my best way to express that. For as much as I loved art, I initially didn’t want to pursue it as a career; it was nothing more than and hobby and a way for me to cope.

It wasn’t until the end of high school, I spoke with an art teacher at Fayetteville State University and our conversation inspired me to pursue a degree in Visual Arts with a concentration in Digital. From there, I got my teaching certification to teach art on all levels. I am currently teaching art at an elementary school. On the side, I do my own projects, which are primarily surrealist and geode paintings, and commissions, along with selling my prints at Mala Market in Houston. I’m also building my social platforms, including Youtube and Devian Art.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Many creatives create work based on their own experiences, some of which were traumatic. For each piece, we put all of our emotions, the good and bad, into it; there is a part of us in everything we create. For some of us, this is extremely difficult to do, while simultaneously trying to keep our life private.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I decided to pursue a career in art, many people were against it, including my own parents. As a result, I tried to pursue something that I wasn’t interested in, and wasted my time and energy. It also delayed my graduation. So I had to unlearn allowing others to easily influence on major decision and to just pursue what I’m passionate in.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mercedesvegaart?utm_medium=copy_link
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mercedesauvega
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgle0RQEkROz8nCgvrYt3jQ
• Other: Gumroad https://mercedesvega.gumroad.com/ Devian Art https://www.deviantart.com/mercedesv Twitch MercedesAuVega

Image Credits
All images are mine