We recently connected with Annel Perez and have shared our conversation below.
Annel , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
The name **s3lf Lov3 R3imagined** really encapsulates the journey of self-discovery and growth I went through. Growing up, I always had a deep love for creativity, but I was too shy to share my work with the world. It wasn’t until I began my self-love journey that I felt a shift. As I became more confident and less self-conscious, I realized how powerful it felt to embrace who I truly was. The more I accepted myself, the more open I became, especially in expressing my individuality through fashion and art in school.
The name reflects that transformation: **s3lf Lov3** is about that internal love and growth, while **R3imagined** represents how I reimagined my own self-worth and how I wanted to share that empowering feeling with others. It’s a reminder to anyone who connects with the brand that they, too, have the power to reinvent themselves and live confidently, unapologetically, and authentically. It’s all about feeling strong, loving yourself, and sharing that strength with the world.
Annel , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a multi-media artist second generation Dominican from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I’ve always gravitated towards the arts and always dreamed of being an involved in a creative field. Art makes me feel at home with myself. Even when I’m not in front of a canvas I’m always jotting down ideas in my phones notes and planning how to execute my ideas at home. I love mixed media art for the textures and elements I implement in my work. I mainly use acrylic paints but if I love something it’s definitely getting glued or embroidered on a canvas. I’ve done plenty of commissions since 2019 when I started making more efforts to share my art with the public. What sets me apart is, that I’m not afraid to say certain things. I’m a very vocal and open book to some extent. If something is needed to be said either my mouth or my art will say it for me. What I’m most proud of is my constant resilience and opportunities like this one sharing my life’s work and lifestyle with the public. I will not give up on my dreams of being a well renowned artist in this industry. Success does not happen overnight! But I know that my sleepless nights working on my art and perfecting my skills will pay off. Being myself will pay off.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I started 2024 with 98 followers & just a year into vending my art for the first time and being consistent online. January 2025 I’ve organically grown to 600+ followers. This growth is from me doing events and having to be face to face with potential clients and promoting myself! I’ve also done it by ENGAGING with other creatives!! You treat others how you want to be treated. Constant support between creatives and strangers are the biggest reason why my following grew significantly. Also being in local events some potential clients won’t contribute to your art at the very moment but always encourage them to follow you on social media. Be an active follower! Engage with strangers, this takes you places of networking and potential clientele.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I remember taking a very big break after the 2020 pandemic, forcing myself to go “back to normal” and went back to being employed somewhere i was not very happy at. I become very bored with the hustle culture and I realized, that lifestyle isn’t for me. I should be somewhere or doing something that makes me happy. I realized that in January 2024 that I wanted to approach my art in a whole different way and not just in social media but sharing it publicly with the world. So in May 2024 I started being part of vending events showcasing my art to the public and 2024 was my first time ever doing something like that and I ended up doing 17 events in 2024. My very first being a whole other state , I did it in Rockland County, New York and the rest here in South Florida, and seeing how many people liked and appreciated my art and my energy, made me realize that this is what I really wanted to do. I want to share my art with people to show them that someone with no art degree or big connection can do this. You are capable of doing whatever your heart desires, all you ahev to do is PUT IN THE WORK. If you’re already thinking of doing this or doing any form of business. Just know if your heart is in it, it’s already yours! That right there was the key for me, just keep going. I didn’t want to not do art anymore. I wanted to be fully emerged in it and I’ve been so emerged that this is my second Magazine interview and I’m so very proud of myself and I am so very happy that Canvas Rebel sees the potential in me to share my story.This opportunity is a huge part of my resilience as well. I will not be giving up because I have outlets wanting to hear my story so I’m very glad that I’m having this opportunity. I want to thank CanvasRebel from the bottom of my heart, Thank you for having me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://s3lf-lov3-r3imagined.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s3lf.lov3.r3imagined?igsh=dHU5MDd0emV0M2Fj
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/me?trk=p_mwlite_feed-secondary_nav
Image Credits
@S3lf.Lov3.R3imagined