Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joy Nuanez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Joy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

My hero(s) are my grandparents. My grandfather is a retired nuclear engineer and my grandmother is a retired teacher. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am in my life without them and I am extremely grateful for them everyday. They have taught me love, patience, hard work, and kindness. My grandmother is an incredible sewer and quilter and is the reason and inspiration behind what I do. My grandfather has taught me hard work and dedication- to never give up on my goals in life. They took my brother and I in as young kids and have shown us unconditional love. All of these characteristics have truly influenced my life, character, morality, and creativity.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a 26 year old chainstitch embroiderer. I went to an Art middle school and high school in Las Vegas and moved to New York when I was 18 where I then got my bachelors in Visual and Critical Studies at The School of Visual Art. When I was starting my Junior year of college I began working as a tailor at Levi’s where I then was exposed to the machine that changed my life- a Singer 114 w 103 chainstitch embroidery machine. This machine is a very early 21st industrial machine whose purpose is to only create a chainstitch which is controlled by a foot pedal and a handle on the bottom of the table. I immediately fell in love and have been doing it ever since. I bought my own about half a year later and have used it for events, customizations, patches, banners, artwork, embellishing, etc. ever since. Chainstitch embroidery is hand done versus digital embroidery which is computer programmed. I think it offers a little more integrity for my clients. It is a similar idea as tattooing where you have an idea in mind and I (and other embroiderers) can design or execute onto different forms of clothing and other textiles. I think because it is hand done, everyone has their own approach which I really appreciate with the medium. I personally try my best to practice a lot of freehand drawings and text, I like to do very detailed work, I love color. There are very few things that I wouldn’t be down for. I don’t think it is something to ever be perfected. It takes so much practice and skill and it never gets old. I think I have my own distinct style and enjoy working with people to create something that has my touch/hand in it along with meeting my clients needs. I am always up for a challenge, I love doing events, I love collaborating with other artists, I love custom work, I love it all!

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

Having the ability to create anything is very rewarding. I think it can be a struggle sometimes when money becomes involved with what you love to do because things start to feel not so genuine at times. however, I find anything I have the ability to make or create whether I am stimulated or not is a blessing because I am still practicing, learning, and engaging with every project. When creating, you put so much of yourself into it, even with projects where I am mediating other peoples ideas. I feel more well rounded and challenged. The world is my oyster and there are endless possibilities. I love working with other artists as well- I find that very rewarding when two creatives come together to make something very different on both ends. Creating things for people who do not how to make things themselves is very rewarding. Making things for people as a gift to show people that they care about them is rewarding, Making something for people to embellish their clothing so they can feel fun is rewarding. Mending items with embroidery to give them a second life is rewarding. Having all of these opportunities to add a little something in the world is so rewarding and I am so grateful. It is certainly not the most lucrative job but I find prosperity in the joy that it brings me and the people that I have had the opportunity to work with.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Ironically a lot of what I learned in art school I had to unlearn. I understand learning the rules and breaking them but I remember graduating and feeling so insecure because I felt like everything I did was bad or that art had to look or be a certain way. There have been so many “rules” and “lessons” in art making. I think art should be fun and experimental. Embrace the “bad” art, stop caring so much about what other people will find successful. my favorite type of art is folk art and outsider art because it revolves so much about the process and just creating and not overthinking all the time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joynuanez.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joynuanez/

Image Credits
Eva Joan, Blaze Ben Brooks, Gala Octuvre, Eddie Perrote, AdriannaStabs,