Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivonne Tejada Cruel.

Hi Ivonne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey began long before I knew where it would lead me, back when I was a child, carefully gluing organized cutouts to shoe boxes, storing away stones and letters from family and friends. But for the sake of the story, I’ll start where I truly began to find myself—during my first solo travels as an exchange student in the beautiful country of Norway. There, I was fully immersed in nature, surrounded by a new culture and language. I was taking diverse classes in arts, photography, and culinary arts, and meeting new people daily. This experience opened my eyes and ignited a deep energy within me, pushing me to become more than what I had known growing up. It was the beginning of a journey where I started to see the world and nature as endless sources of inspiration, even though I didn’t yet know how I would channel that inspiration into something tangible.

Returning to the Dominican Republic, I initially tried my hand at Hospitality and Hotel Management for a brief year. However, it wasn’t long before I found myself drawn to a different path, the power of art. This shift led me to a place where I could work on my confidence, refine my talents, and learn new skills. Although the journey took longer than I had planned, I stayed committed to learning and growing. Graduating from Altos de Chavón with an AAS in Communications Design (Graphic Design) was a milestone that led to an incredible opportunity, a scholarship at Parsons The New School of Design to pursue a BFA in Industrial Product Design.

In art and design schools, I discovered countless ways to create and express myself. I learned to find solutions through design, whether digitally or by creating everyday products. These experiences shaped my understanding of the world and helped me carve out a unique path, leading to who I am today.

After exploring my career as a designer in NYC, I realized that my true calling was in education. I often found myself helping others with design software and systems in various workspaces, and I felt a deep need to share my knowledge and experience beyond the corporate world. This realization led me to step into education, where I became a NYC educator after completing my Master of Arts in Teaching. Since 2019, I’ve been teaching as a Career Technical Education Teacher in Media Arts and Design programs. I had the great joy of sharing studio space with my students, and every day I find joy in teaching and creating alongside them. I wouldn’t change where I am for anything, and I look forward to continuing this journey, growing, and sharing everything I’ve learned along the way.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. Deciding to change careers was a significant challenge in itself. I was uncertain about how I would connect my experience with education. Becoming a teacher wasn’t just a desire, it was a need, a newly discovered life goal. Balancing grad school while studying at the School of Visual Arts was anything but easy. There were moments when I didn’t know if I’d be able to leave work during the second year of my master’s and still afford to live in NYC. I faced challenges that I wasn’t sure how to handle at the time, but I decided to push forward regardless.

I turned down opportunities to work on major TV production shows, gave up a stable income, and moved in with close family to be closer to school, sacrificing some of my independence until I finished grad school. During that time, I struggled with not feeling fully like an artist. I faced an internal battle between being a designer, trained to solve people’s everyday problems and becoming an artist responsible for expressing myself honestly, without catering to others’ needs and focusing solely on my own creative path. This was another challenge, but I learned to overcome it and grew in confidence, allowing me to fully embrace my identity as an artist today.

The biggest challenge, in the end, was staying true to my calling, and pursuing the truth of who I am despite the obstacles that could have steered me away from my path. But I remained steadfast, and now, I stand here, fully comfortable in my own skin, sharing my story with my students and fellow creatives around the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in textile works, focusing on upholstery, printing, and prop design as a designer. But my visual art journey takes me deeper, especially in my love for illustrating nature, particularly flowers. Through my art, I tell stories that connect nature to my roots in the Dominican Republic. I work primarily with watercolors and mixed media, blending acrylic and ink to bring my subjects to life. I’m best known for painting large flowers on canvas, presenting a diverse vocabulary of native and endemic flowers to tropical climates. What makes me proudest is the fact that I’ve been painting for this long. Painting and illustration were once uncomfortable areas for me as a creative, but I stepped into that discomfort and have never turned back from this beautiful journey.

What sets me apart from others is the unique combination of lives and experiences I carry under my umbrella. I don’t sit still when it comes to creating, I’m constantly working on my projects and collaborating with others, whether they’re clients or fellow artists. Every day, I expose myself to new artwork by my students, and I see them not just as apprentices but as growing artists who will soon share galleries with me. I’m also deeply involved in the world of environmental education and eco-tourism, a unique opportunity that keeps me close to those who care about protecting and conserving our natural resources. This connection brings fresh energy and inspiration to my work.

Through my art, I blend my passion for nature, my cultural heritage, and my desire to educate and inspire. I feel deeply fortunate to have found a path that allows me to merge these worlds, and I’m excited to continue growing, learning, and sharing this journey with others.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open to collaborating with others. You can find me on Instagram at @ivonnetejada, or reach out to my studio email at [email protected]. I love working alongside other artists and have had the privilege of being part of many creative processes in the past. Each collaboration has been a learning experience, enriching my own work and expanding my perspective.

To support me, I would love to continue showcasing my artwork in spaces where it can truly shine, bringing the vibrant colors and energy of nature, especially flowers, to life. Let’s connect to collaborate and bring more beauty into the world together.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ivonnetejadacruel.com
• Instagram: @ivonnetejada