We were lucky to catch up with Sheri Vela recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sheri, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking a risk is usually nerve-racking. However, if we don’t take a chance then there would be no change in the path that we walk. The first risk I took was 2015 moving back to my hometown to pursue a job I would have never considered: teaching middle school students art. Trust me when I say you need thick skin and a backbone for this position. I’ve had good days and bad, however, these past 8 years have allowed me to meet incredible artists from young to seasoned. Risk #2: Higher Education. Please keep in mind I completed my Bachelors’s in 2014. Looking for work as a graphic designer in San Antonio, I didn’t have the legit “experience ” with a company that creative companies were seeking therefore I went into teaching. In 2021, with the support of my family, I decided to level up and go for my Master’s degree with Full Sail University out of Winter Park, FL. Balancing an accelerated education program, teaching, family, and anything else in between, took its toll on me. On May 2022, the tassel was worth the hassle. I earned my Media Design MFA and the Advanced Achievement Award through the program at Full Sail University. I felt invincible. The world is my oyster. Getting a job should be a snap. Nope. I applied to multiple design companies, and it seemed like my skills weren’t enough. Then I received a job offer from a very well-known apparel company. The details for the position were a dream come true. Unfortunately, there are some deceitful trolls in this world and I discovered that it was a job scam. As much as my heart was broken, I persevered and I pushed through. Risk is necessary and defeat can light a fire under your ass. Why should I work for someone? Why can’t I be my own boss? After an experience during the summer of 2022, my partner in crime and I hatched up an idea for a business and are currently awaiting our trademark logo to go through. Financially, this is a risk, and we are willing to take it.

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?

I love the world of Art. From painting to graphic design, I love dabbling in all forms. Because of my love for the arts, my appropriate title would be Creativist. Life started happening more after a life-changing event in 2009. After returning to Texas with two young men and needing to set a good example, I continued my education. Being out of school for 10 years, balancing full-time work, full-time school, a long-distance relationship of 3 years, and being a full-time parent was difficult. However, I prevailed. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts-Graphic Design honors Magna Cum Laude, I was ready to leave the food industry! I was a graphic design intern with a well-known shoemaking company in San Antonio for about half a year. I was hopeful of receiving the open full-time position; however, I was passed up and another person with more experience, which was understandable because I had just graduated. The crazy twist was the company hired my classmate I had graduated with, and I had to give her a tour of the facility! I was heartbroken, but everything happens for a reason. Continuing as the server working evenings, I applied for a position in Del Rio, Texas, as an Art Educator. Two weeks before the school year started, I received a call stating I had received the position. The thing was, I had yet to tell my sons I had applied. My boys were in shock, my love was excited I was moving, and we all were excited about the new Journey in our lives. This year will be my seventh year at my campus. Colleagues nominated me for the past five years as a teacher of the year. Returning to Del Rio opened up new opportunities. I started three small businesses. 1) Punk’in the Duck- geared for Jeep Duckers, 2) CanvaZ & CocktailZ- Paint and Sip class, and 3) Brujas R Us-Essential Oil Blends.

In addition to the businesses and work, I volunteer my time as a member of the Main Street program to help beautify our Historic downtown area. I volunteer my time as a TAEA Junior Vase sponsor for our gifted art students that promote arts and education and as a sponsor for the first secondary Art Club at Del Rio Middle and freelance graphic design jobs in the area and remotely. As much as it was already hectic, I recently graduated from Full Sail University with my Media Design MFA and earned the Advanced Achievement Award in May. Yes, I am a busy bee; however, I am dedicated to others and have a love for the arts. I would love the opportunity to own my own media design business. I would love our designers to work remotely so life can go on without restriction. We only have one life to live, and tomorrow is not promised. I want to continue to live my life to the fullest.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being creative is the positive response from others. I appreciate that the community trusts my craft regardless of how my art varies. I’ve had great opportunities to network with remarkable people and creatives.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

We are all creative and sometimes it takes sharing our thoughts about struggles with your craft. Struggling with a technique or idea is not the only challenge a creative or noncreative can face. Sometimes it’s self-esteem and thinking you can’t do it. This thought alone will handicap anyone regardless of their experience. I believe that we as a society have this preconceived notion that perfection must be established in all that we do and failure is unacceptable. FAIL people…First Attempt In Learning. It’s ok to make mistakes, just learn from them. Mistakes are experiences and I’m an expert! Just try your best and have faith in the process.  

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sherivela.wixsite.com/creativist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sherivelascreativework
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-vela
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/canvazncocktailz https://www.behance.net/Sherivelatx https://www.punkintheduck.com

Image Credits
Sheri Vela