We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liz Medrano. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liz below.
Hi Liz, thanks for joining us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
Dr.Cooper, my junior year art teacher. This man had the credentials to be principal of my high school, yet he was the art teacher and I admired him for that. I had his class twice in one day— 1st period and right after lunch. At first I thought that there may have been an error in my schedule but later I learned it was just a way for the universe to bring in a vessel of motivation I so desperately needed. I always assumed people were just as artistically inclined as I was. I didn’t think there was anything special in the way I drew things or executed my ideas until this man came into my life. He would stop the class just to rave about my work. One day, he called me over and told me that I’m doing a great job and I have great skill. He then proceeded to tell me something that will stick with me forever. He told me that as long as I pursue this, my work will one day be in high demand and selling for millions. It meant the world to me that he thought so highly of me and my creations. I never had anyone tell me something like that before. He asked if I had art supplies at home and I told him no. He insisted I go into the art supply room and take anything I needed. I went home that day with so much motivation, joy and the tools needed to create works of art. To this day, I thank him for giving me that push I needed to pursue what my heart desired.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am Liz Medrano, creator of TR3S ART. I have been an artist for my whole life but started taking it seriously in 2017. I create original works of art such as: paintings, drawings, digital artwork, and custom clothing pieces. I also coordinate events but due to the pandemic, I took a lengthy break from that. However, I am back in action and presenting to the public my first solo art show on March 26,2022 at the Greater Good in downtown Phoenix. My events have brought people from all over Arizona together under the same space to network. They are always a great time and have shown me that things are always better when others are involved as well. My focus is to keep evolving and sharpening my skills as an artist to spread my messages and bring people together along the way.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
There was a point in my career when I realized I could really make art for a living. I always made a few extra bucks on the side by selling paintings but life had taught me that I needed security before anything else. There was no way I could live off “art money”, I needed a job at all times. However, I couldn’t hold down a job to save my life, no matter how good the pay was. I would be at work thinking about my projects waiting for me at home. At one point, I quit my job because I was simply miserable there and had absolutely no back up plan. I was paying my bills with money I had put to the side but I realized that would soon run out. That’s when the hustle really kicked in for me and my whole perspective on art shifted. This was now my lifeline. I picked up so many commission pieces and started selling my art for prices I never would’ve imagined. My whole life I believed I would need a “real job”, a “real career”, but this was proving to me that I could make things shake with my own creativity. Nowadays, I work a job but it’s a job where I’m surrounded with artists alike and who I learn from daily and they prove to me that it’s very much possible to live off of “art money”. There is no need to settle.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I want to give back. I have no doubt in myself that I will one day reach my personal goals (financially, mentally, physically, and creatively) and when that happens I want to be sure to give back. My family and I are immigrants from Mexico and its very important to me that I’m able to one day give back to them for sacrificing so much. My parents left their home and families to give their children a better opportunity and I am eternally grateful. I also have so much love for South Phoenix. It truly made me into the person I am today and its my goal to one day give back to the community and place that raised me and inspired me. I don’t see myself living in Arizona forever but this will always be home and because of that, I need to show my gratitude and show future generations that anything is possible and there are people here who care and want to help.
Contact Info:
- Website: TR3SART.com
- Instagram: @Liltr3s
Image Credits
Liz Medrano