We recently connected with Laura Reyes and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
When I was younger, I always loved to draw, but it wasn’t until around 7th grade that I started taking it more seriously. I began creating characters with longer stories instead of just short ones. When I entered high school, I was so excited to finally have the opportunity to take art classes. Unfortunately, my middle school didn’t have many art resources, and my high school didn’t have much more, but it was still a big step up. I was even able to use different grades of pencils and try my hand at watercolor – it was really awesome for me. My high school art teacher, Mrs. Schroder-Sears, was a huge influence on my art. She was the first person to really critique my work and give me feedback. During class, while we worked on assignments, she would also work on her own logo or painting commissions. Seeing her tackle these projects showed me that it was possible to make a living through art and that having a unique style could attract clients.
Laura, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In Aurora, I started attending art events such as First Friday and markets. First Friday was the opening of art shows at different venues in Aurora and also included art pop-ups for that night. During these events, I met many other artists in the community. They encouraged me to work more on my art and submit work to the shows around town. I am glad to have worked in a community of artists that supported each other!
From there, people started recognizing my art style when I submitted art to shows. One instance I remember was when I did chalk art on the sidewalk for Aurora Downtown, and one of my co-workers saw it while I wasn’t there. Later, he asked if I drew it because he recognized my style!
My art style translates well into other projects for people. I can be versatile and work with people’s vision of their project, while still adding my personal touch that people have come to like about my art. I also have experience with traditional art mediums, such as watercolor and acrylic, and digital programs.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, it’s the act of creating a story within my art and sharing it with others is very important to me. I love how art can instantly connect with someone when they see it. Growing up, I was introverted, and it was sometimes difficult for me to find the right words to say. But with art, people can look at it and instantly feel a connection. Working on my art in my community has introduced me to many wonderful people, and I’m grateful that I have grown as a person through my art. One example that comes to mind is when I worked on an alebrije mural in my city. (Alebrijes are colorful Mexican folk art sculptures of animals) It was amazing to be able to talk with people who liked it. The mural was on one of the main roads in downtown Aurora, so people shared how they commute to and from work every day and now enjoy seeing it on their way home. They told us how our art brightens up that part of their day! It’s incredible how art can do that for someone. Furthermore, I find it rewarding to share my culture within my art. Both of my parents are from Oaxaca, Mexico, and I grew up surrounded by art and the artisans from there. The art seen in alebrijes, pottery, or textiles from Oaxaca always inspires me. I enjoy being able to share that part of me with others and bring awareness to it.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I would recommend reaching out online and exploring the variety of art and software tutorials available on the internet. If you want to learn a new program, chances are there’s a tutorial for it! I believe it’s important to continuously learn new skills and maintain a growth mindset. Additionally, don’t hesitate to connect with other artists or creatives to learn about their processes, how they run their business, or seek advice on art. I remember not knowing what I needed to sell at art markets, so I looked up tutorials and what other artists have done. Without that help, I would have missed out on knowing how to display my art or how to package it. Now when I go to markets and people ask me for help, I am able to share that with them. I think I also feel in the trap of being hesitant to ask for help in the beginning, but most of the time people are willing to share their advice!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laurareyesillustration.com
- Instagram: @pastellas
Image Credits
Photographs by Zoila Galvan, Janice Rodriguez, Lisa Manning, Barrington Public Area Library