We were lucky to catch up with Josefina Wright Arevalo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Josefina Wright, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed drawing and the process of making art. At an early age I would rent out books from the library in hope to learn new ways of approaching art. Throughout my life I would practice the majority of my art in sketchbooks. Traveling to Mexico at an early age gave me many opportunities and inspiration. I took art classes as soon as they became available to me and I had a great teacher/mentor in High School who became one of my biggest advocates in creating art. In college I took all the art classes that helped broaden my scope of mediums. Since then I have done a lot of self research, practice and self healing that has led me to the skill set that I have today.
Reflecting on my journey in pursuing art, I would not change a thing about my process. The obstacles that I faced is what shaped me to be the artist I am today. The biggest obstacles I faced as an artist was that my mind and body were in a constant state of “fight or flight”. Coping with my mental health has impacted my art in both a positive and negative way. Man times I stood in my own way when it came to crating art. I often felt afraid of failure and felt the need of perfection. I craved consistency in practicing my skills, but became overwhelmed with doubt of succeeding. It was not until I began my journey of self-healing that I was able to process my trauma. As I am healing, I am unlocking new skills that I feel are essential in becoming a great artist. Patience is a major skill that I have gained while healing. Having patience with myself in learning new mediums has helped me along my artistic exploration. As I begin to let parts of my past go, I also gain insight into myself and my creative expression. I still have a lot to learn, but I know I’m on the right track.
Josefina Wright, 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 Josefina W. Arevalo and I am chicana born artist living in California. I am the creative behind Pinar con Amor (pintarconamor_). My mission to paint with love and love with paint. Being an educator I see the value in play in all stages of the human development. It is not until we play with materials that we get practice new skills through trial and errors. I believe everyone has potential to express themselves through creative expression and I advocate for everyone to try.
I see the natural world so beautiful and it inspires me everyday to be a reflection of what the world means to me. I feel the earth’s love and energy and it inspires me to paint the world in my own interpretation. I provide works of art that reflect the heritage and culture in which I grew up in. I provide works of art in medium forms such as acrylic, gouache, and digital art. I have experience in vendoring and contributing/featured in art shows in San Diego. I have sold most of my pieces from my original collection and I just completed my second collection of artwork.
This most recent collection is a reflection of the spirit I have within myself. My recent two part series Sueños del el Rancho”, I showcase a horse and a bull that symbolize the freedom and strength that I have been able to harness in mind and body this past year. I hope my art can give people the courage to express what they are going through in the moment because each time you draw it’s a timestamp of a certain moment, time, place and feeling.
Pintar con amor is ever-growing and there is so much more to come.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is just connecting with people of all walks of life. By sharing art you get to share stories with one another and it opens the doors for conversations.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I have huge dreams for Pintar con Amor, and my mission will stay true “paint with love”. With sharing my art I hope to inspire the viewer to play and to be expressive in any media format that makes you feel free.
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