Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alejandra Reyes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alejandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

When I think about what my parents did right, I immediately think of how they nurtured and supported my love for art from the very beginning. They weren’t just passive observers—they were active participants in my journey, and that made all the difference.

My mom was always my first creative partner. She didn’t grow up painting herself, but when she saw how passionate I was, she started dabbling in it just to connect with me. Some of my favorite memories are of the two of us sitting at Le Vent Arts Academy, surrounded by brushes, paints, and mugs of coffee, trying to capture whatever scene or feeling came to mind. Even if her paintings were a little wonky or she got frustrated trying to mix the right shade of red, she showed up—and that meant everything. Her willingness to learn beside me, rather than just cheer from the sidelines, made me feel like my passion was something worth sharing and celebrating.

My dad, on the other hand, was the researcher and the supplier. He’s not an artist in the traditional sense, but he is a guitarist—and I know that’s where I got my artistic soul from. He understands what it means to be driven by creativity, even if his medium is strings and sound instead of brushes and color. He’d buy me art books—everything from classic techniques to modern digital illustration— he made it his mission to understand what I loved and to make sure I had the tools to grow. I still have some of those books, worn and marked up with sticky notes. He helped me believe that my dream of being an artist wasn’t just a hobby, it was a path worth walking.

In the beginning, I did have to convince them that art was the career I truly wanted. Like any parents, they were scared—it’s not always seen as the most stable or practical path, and they just wanted to make sure I’d be okay. But the thing is, they raised me to stand up for what I believe in, to fight for the things that matter most to me. And when they saw how deep my love for art ran, how determined I was to make it my life, they got behind me completely.

Since then, they’ve become my biggest motivators and most loyal fans. Their belief in me didn’t come instantly, but once it did, it became one of the strongest forces in my life. Their love, encouragement, and quiet acts of involvement taught me what it means to support someone—not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s uncertain. It’s not always about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s just sitting beside someone while they create, or handing them a book that says, “You are an artist, congratulations!”.

Alejandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi there! I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with a deep love for storytelling and visual communication. My journey into this industry started with a lifelong passion for art—ever since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to creating things that speak to people. Over the years, that passion evolved into a career where I now help others bring their visions to life through thoughtful, intentional design.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with a wide range of clients—from business owners looking to rebrand and refresh their visual identity to authors who want their stories brought to life through meaningful illustrations. What I love most about what I do is the collaborative process: getting to know a client’s story, their goals, and then translating all of that into visuals that resonate with their audience. Whether it’s a logo, a full branding suite, or custom illustrations for a book, I approach every project with care and a strong focus on authenticity.

In addition to client work, I’m also building a side business that merges my love for reading with design. I’m creating a line of merchandise—things like custom-designed books, mugs, notebooks, and more—that celebrate the magic of literature. These products are made for fellow book lovers, the ones who highlight passages, collect quotes, and find a little piece of themselves in every story they read. I want to design pieces that help people hold onto those feelings and moments a little longer.

What sets me apart is my ability to blend creativity with emotional storytelling. I don’t just make things look good—I make sure they feel right. I want every piece of work I create to feel like it belongs to the person or brand it represents. That connection—that alignment between vision and design—is something I value deeply.

I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me, and the moments when they see the final result and say, “Yes. That’s exactly what I imagined.” To me, that’s the best kind of success.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work and my brand, it’s that everything I do comes from a place of passion and intention. I’m here to create work that feels personal, meaningful, and beautifully designed—whether it’s for a business, a book, or just because you love a good quote on a cozy mug.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One book that has had a significant impact on the way I approach both the creative and business sides of my work is Profit First for Creatives: Redefining the Creativity/Money Paradigm by Christian Brimm. As a creative, it’s easy to get caught up in the artistic process and overlook the financial side of running a business—but this book really helped shift my perspective.

It breaks down how to build a consistently profitable business without sacrificing your creative integrity. One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning how to manage cash flow in a way that feels sustainable and empowering, rather than overwhelming. It also dives into the ever-present tension between commercial work and personal creative expression, and how to navigate that in a healthy, balanced way.

The book offers clear, actionable advice on everything from pricing your work to understanding what to do with your profit once you’ve built it. It even addresses common challenges creatives face when trying to implement the Profit First system—and gives solid strategies to move past them.

What I appreciate most is how it speaks directly to creatives like myself—people who want to do meaningful work, but also want to build something that lasts. It helped me see that profitability and creativity don’t have to be at odds—they can fuel each other when managed with intention.

I’d highly recommend this book to any creative entrepreneur who’s ready to take their business seriously without losing their artistic soul. It’s a game-changer.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In today’s society, we’re seeing a fascinating shift in how art is created and consumed—largely due to the rise of AI. On one hand, it’s amazing that more people than ever have access to creative tools and can engage with visual storytelling in new ways. But on the other hand, it presents real challenges for artists whose original works are often used, without consent or credit, to train these AI systems. It can feel disheartening to know that the time, energy, and emotion we pour into our craft can be used to generate endless variations without proper recognition or support for the creators behind it all.

Art has always been a cornerstone of civilization. Before we had written language, we told stories through cave paintings and carvings—art was how we made sense of the world and connected. That’s still true today. So, if we truly want to support a thriving creative ecosystem, I believe we need to actively value the humans behind the art.

One of the most powerful ways society can support artists is by intentionally engaging them—especially in business. Whether it’s hiring a designer to create a logo or business card, commissioning a mural to breathe life into a public space, or choosing to buy original art instead of mass-produced replicas, these choices make a huge difference. When businesses and individuals choose to work with real artists, it not only provides financial support—it also reinforces the idea that creativity is vital and worthy of investment.

We also need better systems that protect artists’ rights in the digital age and more education around ethical consumption of art. Valuing artists means more than just appreciating their finished work—it means respecting the process, the time, and the humanity behind every brushstroke or pixel.

At the end of the day, supporting artists is about creating space for authentic expression, storytelling, and connection—and when we do that, everyone benefits.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_vent
• Other: tik tok: @levent_studio

Image Credits

all image credit belongs to Le Vent Arts