Today we’d like to introduce you to Yigsy Magaly.

Hi Yigsy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I began drawing at a very young age, mainly using pencils and colored pencils. It wasn’t until high school that I started painting and exploring that side of my artistic abilities. As a competitive young artist, I believed that mastering realism meant being the best artist. The ability to create the most realistic image seemed like the ultimate achievement—or so I thought.
Determined to take art seriously, I pursued a BFA in Fine Arts, concentrating in painting, at Rutgers University. Throughout those four years, I saw my skills in realism improve tremendously. Yet, the more I perfected realism, the more I struggled to express myself authentically. Creating art felt forced rather than natural.
That changed when I began exploring these squiggly lines I would casually doodle. I decided to set aside my pride and focus solely on painting lines—no portraits, no realism, just lines. Over time, I started integrating figures into my work, experimenting with how these elements could interact in a way that felt uniquely mine.
Eventually, the lines became so natural to me that I made a pivotal decision: instead of using facial expressions, I would let the lines, colors, and body language convey the emotion. I wanted to challenge myself in ways that would help my art style and, ultimately, solidify my voice as an artist.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Of course, being an artist isn’t every parent’s dream—and with fair reason. Whenever a child decides to pursue this path seriously, it’s a widely held belief that they won’t make the most money. After all, it’s incredibly rare to achieve success and financial stability in this field. It often takes years, if not decades, to become a well-known artist or to reach a point where you can make a sustainable living from your art.
That’s been one of the struggles I’ve experienced along the way. Making a living from my art hasn’t been smooth sailing, especially in today’s economy—where everything seems to get more expensive by the day. But to combat this, I found having multiple streams of income as being the best way to continue my journey as an artist. Unfortunately, that often means working separate jobs that take away valuable time I could be using to focus on my art practice.
Balancing a part-time 9-to-5 job alongside my art career isn’t always easy and that’s before taking into account that it’ll only extend my timeline for achieving success. Yet, despite the difficulties, I’ve still seen real growth—both in my art career and in myself. I genuinely believe that with time, dedication, and effort, I’ll reach a point where I no longer need a traditional job and can rely solely on my art to make a living. The best investment I can make in my lifetime is in myself, and I’m fully committed to that

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I’m an artist who creates minimalist acrylic paintings using intricate line designs and abstract figures. My work explores the subtle stories and emotions we often carry within ourselves. What sets me apart is my use of acrylic paint markers instead of traditional brushes, allowing for a level of precision and fluidity that defines my style.

I’m proud of how my art connects with people, whether it sparks a memory or evokes an unexpected emotion. Each piece invites viewers to pause, reflect, and find their own meaning, creating a shared experience between my work and the audience.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

My work can be found on Instagram and on my website, www.yigsymagaly.com, where people can also reach out to me. Supporting local artists like me can take many forms: sharing our work with others in person or on social media, purchasing original pieces or prints, or even attending art shows to show support, so I’m always open to collaborative ideas, whether it’s for paintings, clothing, or other creative projects. Your support helps not only me but the broader community of emerging artists as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yigsymagaly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yigsymagaly