We were lucky to catch up with Gloria Muriel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gloria , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I wanted to be an artist ever since I started reading comics and watching cartoons. I loved waking up super early to watch Saturday morning cartoons with my cousins. I remember I would appreciate the colors, the cool characters, the vivid backgrounds and settings. I wanted to be an animator, work at Disney studios when I was a kid. Then I got in to drawing and music, I wanted to make music and be a singer too ha, ha. I was always good at arts, music and sports. I still play music with friends for fun and go out hiking in to Nature to disconnect from mental states that aren’t getting me nowhere, but now that I think about it, being a muralist/artist/creative has always been my strongest drive. I can’t live without it.

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 love painting walls that have the purpose of beautification of spaces. I believe that Art can heal, and make you feel better. I love painting a mural or a space that can make you see yourself from a different point of view, our “better self”

These projects can be spaces for public and private schools, universities, local events for communities, non-profit murals for a cause, commissions murals like restaurants, office spaces, buildings, breweries, private events, concerts, etc.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having freedom. I’m grateful to have the drive, discipline and responsibility that it takes to be a free creative. Free to make my own art, to choose the projects I want to be part of, to create my own brand, to travel and paint new places for communities that love urban art and are open to beautifying their spaces.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
March of last year I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. I have been on a healing journey since then. Using my art as a healing tool to transform fear, anxiety and anger into trusting all that is, asking for help, opening to being vulnerable, knowing that life is so fragile and so precious. My primary goal now is to keep healing through art. I don’t know what my life would be now without it. It is what keeps me sane, happy and healthy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gloriamuriel.com
• Instagram: @gloriamuriel
• Facebook: GlowMuriel
• Linkedin: Gloria Muriel

Image Credits
photo credits: Greg Klein, Kelley Riley, Analina Hodoyan, Alex Banach