We were lucky to catch up with Eileen Riestra recently and have shared our conversation below.

Eileen, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Currently, Im painting a mural in the town of Chelsea, Massachusetts is called “La Calle Esperanza” (Hope Street) The , “La Calle Esperanza” (Hope Street), on Ash Street, Chelsea, MA. The concept behind this project is to celebrate the history and culture of the Hispanic community in the city of Chelsea. In a unique way I showcase the diversity and richness of the
community, and promote inclusivity, diversity, amplifying an appreciation of the Latin culture and contributions the Hispanic community has had to the city,
state, and nationally. Chelsea’s rich cultural diversity includes nationalities from all parts of the world, across different continents and includes well over 25 languages. Some of their residents are from the following countries: Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Peru, and Puerto Rico as many other latin countries.

As a proud Puerto Rican artist, I am incorporating elements of the Puerto Rican culture like the Old San Juan arquitecture while also highloght the Latin American flags. In the left side of the mural wall will have the words “You are meant for Greatness” surrounded by tropical plants.

“La Calle Esperanza” Mural Art Project on Ash Street is an opportunity to showcase the work of talented Latinos that often go unnoticed or at times, underappreciated while supporting the revitalization of a historically significant neighborhood.

Through this mural project, I intend to demonstrate a hint of the festivities in Puerto Rico and its culture and bring its color and vibrancy to the streets of our
beloved town of Chelsea.

I asked the youth from an non profit organization to help me paint this mural because is a very meaningful for me that the young latinos feel Hope of their future and their potential to be Great!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up in Puerto Rico and came to Boston back in 2001 to study graphic design. During my college years I felt in love with the melting pot and diverse cultures that surrounded me. My work was inspired by social justice topics. I went back home and worked in advertising agency’s and after a couple years I decided to start my creative business I wanted to serve to small businesses what a agency will give to big brands. I wanted to give outstanding design approaches to under represented businesses. My company did well but after taking a Creative Leadership course Yale University I decided that if I wanted to grow and really make in impact I needed to be back in the mainland. I wanted to target the Hispanic Market and established myself in one of the most latin neighborhoods of Boston. After a few years of starting the business in a new country I was able
to worked as a marketing consultant for small businesses, immigrants business owners, women’s own, black own businesses throughout the diverse neighborhoods of Boston. My work keeps growing and I feel I have contribute to help the businesses highlight their unique essence, cultural
background through the brand. I also work as artist on the side, mainly doing community events, paintings and murals.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

We are all creatives with just need to find our purpose and passion to let that creativity inside us burst.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think part of having a creative business is taking lots of risks. I challenge myself each time taking over projects I might not have lots of experience and I learn so much through the journey.
Learning to be patient about starting a new skills’, to fall and get up
again, to learn from mistakes or bad executions, to learn how to overcome fear, and embrace them for the sake of the results of a great project.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.depictbrands.com / www.eileenriestra.com
• Instagram: depictbrands / artsycolor
• Facebook: depictbrands
• Linkedin: eileen riestra

Image Credits

for my portrait Joel Benjamin and web pictures