We were lucky to catch up with Jacqueline Castro recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I had significant changes in my personal and professional life. The greatest risk was to take a break from my career and pursue art full time.

I always find myself doing something with my hands and the “What if question” kept coming to me. I wanted to explore what was possible. Art is embedded in me and when I am looking to take a break from the busyness of life, it always gives me inner peace and helps me find creative solutions. So, after a while, I decided to give it a try.

I went to art school to focus on photography, but then I discovered other mediums such as printmaking, ceramics, textiles, that completely changed my perspective. It was like an explosion of visual stimulation. A wonderful creative experience.

At the end, I believe everything in life needs structure and creativity. We can merge art with our daily lives. We do not have to choose one thing over the other. It is a combination of experiences that makes us better artists, professionals, and human beings.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was exposed to art, textiles, and ancient crafts from a young age thanks to my Guatemalan heritage. Lively colors, patterns, textures were part of my surroundings. My mother also had a great influence in my love for art. I recall seeing her learning crafts of all sorts and that had a big impact in my life. It became a source of inspiration and a way of living.

I opened Luna Maia Studio this year to display my art. It focuses on the use of ancient crafts, such as weaving, printmaking, and painting.

It celebrates the beauty and serenity involved in the meditative, slow process of designing and making handmade goods. Always in constant awe of the patterns, texture, and colors found in nature and the abstract lines around us. I try to convey these feelings in my art to provide refuge from the busyness of life.

My goal is to inspire new generations to keep learning traditional techniques and bring joy and beauty to people’s lives and homes.

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

For me, art has been a life saver. There have been times when feelings cannot be expressed with words, only through art.

It helps me channel my thoughts and feelings and brings peace to my inner self.

It also helps me to come up with creative solutions. Sometimes all we need is just a piece of paper and a pencil. Start drawing lines without thinking and soon enough, your mind will quiet down and you will have more clarity.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

It would be great to make art accessible in all school curriculums from a young age, so it becomes a norm in society and not something nice to have. In the end, we learn and digest information better when it comes in an art form.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lunamaia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunamaia_studio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lunamaiastudio/