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

Clarissa, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Yes! Being able to make a living doing what I’m most passionate about brings a lot of happiness to my life. I have been a creative person for as long as I can remember so answering this artistic call on a daily basis is truly a blessing: Whether it translates into making a sketch, completing a painting or teaching an art class, I feel most alive, connected and fulfilled when I’m following my creative passions.
To me, being able to share about my beloved and vibrant Latin American heritage and culture with the rest of the world through my paintings is not only my reason for doing art but also an honor, so I definitely would not trade my life as an artist for any regular job!

Clarissa, 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?

My name is Clarissa Banos. I am a visual artist and graphic designer originally from El Salvador, focusing on traditional Latin American painting and female portraiture. I have been living in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, for the past 22 years and I create all my artwork from my small, cozy home studio in New Westminster, BC, where I live with my two daughters, Mariana and Lucia.

I have been drawing, painting and creating art for as long as I can remember. I come from a long line of artistic, resilient and talented Latin American women who diligently encouraged and nurtured my interest and passion for art and creativity from a very early age. I began my formal training in drawing and classical painting at the age of 14, which I attended for over three more years and which provided me with the artistic foundations, principles and technical skills to later pursue a career in Fine Arts.
My academic credentials include a BFA in Graphic Design, from Universidad Dr. Jose Matias Delgado, El Salvador, and a MFA in Graphic Design and Illustration, from University of Illinois at Chicago, USA, where I graduated as a Fulbright LASPAU Scholarship grantee. My professional background combines over 25 years of experience as a graphic designer, visual artist and visual arts instructor.

My ancestral heritage is what inspires my colourful artwork and fuels my creativity: I’m passionate about the magnificent indigenous civilizations of the Ancient Americas and particularly intrigued by the Pre- Hispanic iconography found in ancient textiles of Mexico, Central and South America. In addition, I pay tribute to the beauty, strength and resilience of indigenous women by portarying them as the axis of a mystical and colourful universe in celebration of Latin America’s idiosyncrasies, popular culture and folklore.

Being able to share my pride and passion for my beloved Latin American heritage and culture with the rest of the world through my paintings is a great privilege for me, as woman and as an artist. I have been blessed and honoured to show my artwork as a solo artist and in group exhibitions in many cities around the world, including Vancouver, Chicago, Milan, Canary Islands, New York and Barcelona.

My artwork is currently being represented by the Le HangArt Gallery, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Many of my sold paintings are now part of private art collections in Canada, United States, Europe, Central and South America.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

When another human being deeply connects and resonates to the stories told by the colours, lines, shapes, textures and patterns in each one of my paintings, so much so that they just have to own that particular piece and bring it to their homes. That is the reason why I create art: Being able to connect to another human being in such a deep, personal level through my work, it’s truly an amazing, humbling and rewarding feeling for me.

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

To share the beauty, richness and relevance of my Latin American roots through my colourful artwork. To showcase my cultural traditions, history and folklore in each one of my paintings and to teach others about my ethnicity and heritage, hence encouraging the celebration of cultural identity, diversity, community and inclusion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clarissabanos.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/@clarissabanosart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClarissaBanosArt