We recently connected with Gabi Magaly and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Gabi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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?
I don’t mean to sound cliché but art really saved my life this past year. I, unfortunately, went through a breakup at the beginning of the year and lost control of everything that was happening around me. Art was the only thing I had to process what was happening around me. Being an artist does make me happy because it’s been the only thing that has helped me express my feelings.
From time to time I do want to work a regular job because being surrounded by art all the time can be overwhelming. I need a break from it because my mind feels like it’s being stretched thin.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a first-generation Mexican-American Chicana born and raised in Bryan College Station. The home of Aggie land. Being from there really did affect me in ways that I didn’t think it would. Like being told that I need to “study a real major in order to be successful”. A majority of teachers in high school really wanted to kill my creative side and thankfully my art teacher encouraged me to pursue a Bachelor in Fine Arts. I went to Sam Houston State University for my BFA in Photography and that’s where I fell in love with the media. When it came to some problems that I’ve run into being an artist is just being a brown woman. I’ve had to overcome a lot of racism and sexism in the art world. I’ve been told that my work will never be sold or shown because it’s “too Mexican”. That’s the thing, I’m proud of my roots and where I come from. I’m currently living my ancestor’s wildest dreams.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Some of the books that helped me in my art career are “Art/Work” by Heather Darcy Bhandari and Jonathan Melber. That book is a great resource when it comes to learning anything about the world. It breaks down how to create a CV, bio, and resume, how to stay organized in your art practice, how to network, etc. That book has templates for contracts, how to take inventory of your art, and information on taxes. Overall a great book to have if you want to learn the business side of art. Another book I recommend is “How To Be An Artist” by Jerry Saltz. It’s a rule book on how to be an artist, how to be comfortable failing, that it’s okay to be embarrassed, and how to survive the art world. This book really helped me understand that everyone goes through imposter syndrome. That I wasn’t alone in that feeling.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn that success isn’t about being in every gallery and being published in every book. I had to define what it means to me and that was a hard lesson to face. I applied to everything I wanted to be a part and once I got accepted I didn’t appreciate that opportunity.I just wanted the next big thing because that’s what I thought success was and it wasn’t. I started to feel like I wasn’t doing enough and put very unrealistic expectations on myself. I had to take a break sometime in October 2022 because I was starting to feel burnt out from everything. That break helped me rewire my brain because I was able to rest. I learned that exceptions are allowed to change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gabimagaly.com
- Instagram: @gabimagaly
Image Credits
Photos courtesy of the artist