We recently connected with Majesty Reyes and have shared our conversation below.
Majesty, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
This is a question i think of often but when i boil it down, the simple answer is YES i am happy as an artist and a creative. Its interesting because when i first got into art school i never thought of the logistics of my career and how i would make a living or impact from my work. I even went as far as telling myself that i would never become a business owner because it seemed too draining. Since i was 16 i have worked in various industries and “normal jobs” but what i have found through doing that is even though it has provided me with financial stability, it has never brought me mental clarity and peace. My art has served as a catalyst for my mental health and has allowed me to connect with my community in ways i never anticipated. My ultimate goal with my art is to inspire others and to ignite a journey of self healing and discovery within ourselves to find comfort and peace within our vulnerability and softness. Being able to serve as that catalyst for others has fulfilled me in ways a 9-5 job never could. Life is all about creating indelible experiences. Its about the emotions and impact you leave with others. That is what makes us human and i like to think that my art has validated and added value to my humanistic experience.
Majesty, 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?
My name is Majesty Reyes, and I am a Latina artist and graphic designer based in Hartford, CT. Coming from a Puerto Rican household, I have always embraced the values of fierce independence and the importance of claiming my space. “The Curious Creative” is not just my business but it is also my passion and purpose. I am fortunate enough to own an art studio that serves as a safe haven for community members to embrace their vulnerability and creativity.
As an artist, my creativity and ambition are deeply rooted in my personal life experiences and my identity as a queer Latina woman.My art studio provides a nurturing and imaginative space for individuals to embark on their own artistic journeys. I am particularly passionate about creating opportunities for those who may not have previously granted themselves the freedom to explore their creativity fully. By fostering an environment of empowerment and self-expression, I strive to make a positive impact on members of our community.
My dedication to art in the community extends beyond the confines of my studio. You will often find me hosting paint workshops, participating in local events as a vendor, and contributing to the vibrant art scene by painting murals in local businesses.
At The Curious Creative, I encourage a culture of boundless imagination and creativity. Rather than teaching participants to create identical artworks, I empower them to be vulnerable and independent in their healing journeys. In the Latino community, this has been an especially empowering experience, as the stigma around emotional vulnerability often conflicts with our innate desire to express ourselves authentically. It is an honor to be counted among the influential Latina leaders in Connecticut, and I am committed to making a lasting impact through my artistic endeavors.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn a lot of the standard “art” principles i was taught in college. When i was in school i really disliked the art program i was in and it had to do a lot with the structure and confinement they subjected students to, I honestly didnt even expect to get accepted into that college. When i went in for a portfolio review prior to starting my freshman year, the professor looked at my work and said “you have no passion in your work and you wont be getting into this school anytime soon”. At the age of 17 this was extremely discouraging but something they didn’t realize about me is that, i like a challenge, I simply said “thank you for your time” and i went back home to continue improving my craft. And guess what, i applied to that school and got accepted! But just because i got accepted into the program doesnt mean i agreed with their methods of teaching. At that time i was told there were particular ways to “paint, draw, and sculpt” and if you did not follow the rules of realism then your artwork was not deemed worthy enough of a good critique. My style of artwork was heavily criticized and for years i dealt with imposter syndrome and feeling like i did not belong within the art community because my work was so DIFFERENT. Over time i had to learn that art is meant to be different and it is supposed to illicit reactions and responses out of the social norm. Over time i embraced my style and the way i approached creative projects.
The moral of this story is, Let others opinions light a fire under you so strong that it ignites a new path for you.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to cultivate an atmosphere that celebrates creativity and imagination. Instead of teaching participants to replicate a specific artwork during my paint workshops, I guide them towards vulnerability and independent healing journeys. This approach holds particular significance within the Latino community, where emotional expression and vulnerability often face stigmatization. I was recently awarded with Connecticuts 30 under 30 award where i was deemed one of the most influential Latina leaders in the state, and its times like these that validate my impact in my community and THATS what keeps me going.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thecuriouscreative.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thecuriouscreative/
Image Credits
Meredith Longo Frank Fungiello