We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Steph Blondet. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Steph below.

Alright, Steph thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I think I started my art career at the right time. I knew I wanted to be a professional artist when I was a child, but I wasn’t able to pursue art back then, so I followed a different path. I went to college, obtained both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, and then started my career in corporate America. Spending ten years in a corporate job allowed me to learn a lot of skills that I don’t think I would have obtained if I had jumped into an art career right after college.

By working a corporate job, I was able to put many skills into practice that are not taught in college, and I was able to obtain real life experience. In my corporate role, I learned how to work individually as well as on a team, and I also learned administration skills. I learned how to communicate with clients, the different facets of negotiating, and how to market myself, all which I think are essential to running a business.

Even though I sometimes wish I had started my creative career sooner, I know it was necessary for me to experience all of the things I did in my corporate career, in order to have success as a creative entrepreneur.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Puerto Rican visual artist currently living in Tampa, FL. I, like many others, was an artsy kid. I grew up taking private art classes and I used to spend a lot of time with my uncle, who was also an artist. I knew early on that I wanted to be a professional artist.

I grew up in a society where going to art school was not an option. Art back then was seen as a hobby. My Dad is a business owner and I grew up watching him run his business. Since I decided I was going to have my own business at some point, I decided to go to business school. During that time, I taught myself how to use Adobe programs and how to code. Shortly after completing business school, I pursued a Master’s degree in digital marketing while running my first online business. I was selling original abstract paintings on canvas and handmade notebooks.
After grad school, I decided to move to Washington, DC and had to close my art business so I could “get a real job”. I began my career in graphic design and web development in 2013 while selling art to collectors, as a side hustle, off and on for 10 years. It wasn’t until early 2023, after the loss of my soul dog Pepo, that I decided to really focus on my art career, because losing him made me realize that life is truly short.

I currently create textured and sculptural paintings where I explore personal themes of self-growth and healing. I create intuitively and communicate my story through color, form, and composition. Each material and its placement has its own purpose and meaning. While the rough, irregular texture of each painting represents the unpredictable nature of life, the dimensional curves convey the highs and lows we collectively experience. I use contrasting colors and shapes to reflect the duality of the human experience, and to convey that through darkness there will always be light.

I actively share my process on Instagram, and have a website where I sell my art. I also accept residential and commercial commissions.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, I grew up wanting to be an artist but I didn’t think it was possible because at that time, none of the famous artists that I had been exposed to looked like me. As a child, I didn’t see myself represented in the industry, so I didn’t think it was possible for someone like me to have a career in the arts. I want to be a representation for younger Latina girls and show them that it is possible to have a successful career as a visual artist.

Through my art, I also want people to understand that it is ok to feel your feelings; that we all go through ups and downs in life. I appreciate that by telling my story, I discover people who are going through similar experiences and we can support each other.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is getting to share my story with the world in visual form. I get to reflect on my past and present, and document my life through my pieces and collections. Creating my art is a very therapeutic process for me, as it helps me process my emotions, heal from trauma, and find inner peace. It is a form of self-care and self-discovery.

It’s also rewarding when the people who purchase and collect my art say they feel seen. They know they aren’t alone as they navigate the ups and downs of life. They feel at peace, knowing that other people are going through similar experiences, or have in the past, and can relate to them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stephblondet.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephblondetart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieblondet/