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

Carolina, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I think about this question a lot– especially as I approach my last year in graduate school. I’m still young, so the future is still open. But a lot of time, and money has been invested in my art. My art has and will continue to take so much from me on a personal level. Being an artist is about being so vulnerable and open about your life, the way you think, the way you see the world. And when not everyone agrees or understands, or even likes what you have to say, it can feel very isolating. Being an artist feels very transactional, giving so much of your time and space to a crowd who may not even care. All of this anxiety for a future that may not even financially support you is a scary thought. But what keeps me going is to continue seeing works of art or shows that speak to my community and things I’m interested in. Art is very subjective and your art may not be for everyone, but in can appeal to specific people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started photography in middle school when my parents bought me one of my first cameras for a summer trip. But I got really into it by starting off in journalism classes in high school. I went into college thinking I’d continue more photojournalistic work, but unexpectedly signed for fine art photography and followed through with it. Before college, I considered myself an artist only in respect to painting. Ever since I picked up photo in the artistic sense, I never looked back to painting. But now in my career, I’m really branching off to other mediums such as video, print, ceramics, and textiles. And it’s really exciting opening up the possibilities of what I can create.

My work now involves transcending my identity as I navigate the state of Texas. I’ve lived in Austin, Houston, and now Dallas and I’m constantly trying to find where I fit in, what types of art are around me, and how I can get the best experiences out of where I’m living.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Photography is very limited in the actual realm of fine arts. It’s all about painting. Finding resources that dedicate their spaces to a specific medium really inspire me to create the work I’ve already been making. It shows me that there’s value to what I’m doing, even if the rest of the art world disagrees.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

What drives me is making work that makes me happy. Artwork that remind me of love, or happiness, or family, or my history. Making work that one person can relate to or love, and finding that common ground. I love making work that can resonate with at least one person. Not everyone has to understand me, not everyone is going to. They’re not me, and that doesn’t mean my story isn’t worth sharing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinayanez.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cyanezzz

Image Credits

All images from the artist- Carolina Yáñez