We were lucky to catch up with Jonathan Valdes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jonathan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The first sale I ever made covered a lot of ground of what to expect going forward. Both good and bad amongst many avenues of observation.

The first dreamcatcher I ever sold came just a couple of months after I started making them.

I made a dreamcatcher for a dear friend of mine with the motif of a religious deity not associated with dreamcatchers. I couldn’t help it. I was just following the call to do so. And I was pumped!

Once finished, I eagerly shared pictures of it to a community page of fellow worshippers and people’s reactions were mostly far from gratifying… Putting that lightly, Its funny now, but I was momentarily crushed. Bad. Real bad.

A lot of people laughed at me or cursed me on grounds of cultural appropriation. It was more than ten years of believing in dreamcatchers before I ever thought to make one and these fellow people of mine were ripping me to shreds with 5 minute opinions. Not all, but most.

One person in particular came forward. This woman was very unique. She was full blood native. She said she was from one reservation but had moved to another in Oklahoma. She didn’t open up too much about herself but she did in fact reveal that she knew of my deities well and was initiated some time ago.

She was specifically initiated to the deity of the motif in the pictures posted and was asking for a replica to place in her alter of worship.

I was floored. I couldn’t believe it. I was honored. The first sale served as a good omen of affirmation that I am fulfilling my life’s calling and to stay true to the one self. The course of my life was permanently changed. My choo choo train was on track!

Then came her gratitude and kind words once received.

Maferefun Eleggua ❤️🖤

Jonathan, 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 Jonathan William Valdes. I’m from Miami and Hialeah, FL. My family is mostly from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. I have been living in Atlanta, GA since 2007. In all honesty I am an artist of several talents juggling several career paths. Its crazy, get me outta here!!!

My passion is to make dreamcatchers in a way the world has never seen. So I wish to focus mostly on that here. However, I am really good with my hands and have a very creative geometric style of mind. I have a degree in drafting technology. I design blueprints. I also do furniture and wall treatments (decor, curtains, tv, closet build-outs) This skill is typically sold as the final steps once someone is moved into their home.

How I got into liking dreamcatchers vs how I got into making them are two totally different stories over ten years apart. Very long stories.

What I will say that sets me apart from the way I approach a dreamcatcher is that they are typically viewed as an end product in the eyes of most whereas I view them as the stage. The dreamcatcher is my medium to express any and every thought possible. Be it yours or mine.

Moreso than proud, I am mostly grateful for the dots I’ve connected and what I learned about us as human beings along the way. I want people to see a bridge in my work between a series of observations related to art, math, science, research and determination. I wish for my art to serve as spiritual evidence. Where so many topics collide in controversy, I wish for my art to touch ground with a sense of peace and bring a greater state of ascension to the observer. My art is full of love and soul. My dreamcatchers have so much to say. And there is so much unchartered territory just waiting to happen!

But if I had to be proud, I would be proud of really feeling like I’ve reinvented the wheel in terms of materials and shapes I take on. I am always trying to outdo myself. Always trying to do better than before. The very first dreamcatchers I made were with a coconut shell. Most people see a dreamcatcher as a flat disc. I can make them spherical and cylindrical all the while displaying roots, culture and heritage. “Spirit swag”

I’ve touched on several religious themes. I have made several about music (nirvana, korn, wutang) some about cartoons and video games. (Pikachu, zelda, stitch) Even the matrix!

I make art for all ages and realms of expression. From the cute to the obscure. All energy can be contained within. If a fan base was to be established my art would be worthy of promoting onto the youth to better develop their dexterity, reflect and protect the mind.

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 have often heard people say things like “if I could invent something to make me rich”

It reveals the different ways people’s minds work. But its also fairly misleading to the one self.

Some people think you just “poof” an idea into your brain and thats it. You’re a creative, but they don’t “poof” it like that and so that means they don’t got it. People shouldn’t write themselves off like that. The mind beholds far greater complexity.

If you replace the word “create” with connect now observe the art created.

What I am trying to express will take time. A lot of time. A five second opinion on a project that may have taken over a year to actualize can be hurtful. I need people to give me a real chance.

A person can not turn their back onto themselves.

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

I have always been fascinated by ideas floating in the mind in abstract form and meditating on them as they start to take shape. The brain then starts to develop a long series of steps and then before you know it, you make it exist.

To echo off that, its really cool when a person sees your art and it sets off their thoughts and they start inquiring about a concept.

Feels good to connect. People need people.

Contact Info:

• Website: Galeriavaldes.com
• Instagram: 2 accts (Galeria_valdes) (furnitureman770)
• Facebook: Valdesgallery
• Youtube: Galeria valdes
• Other: If you wish to see a grown ass man playing with little miniature finger skateboards please visit: Instagram: obatala_fb

Image Credits
Joseph Moran