We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monty Vaz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monty below.

Hi Monty, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I think people have this idea of what it means to be an artist. Maybe they think it’s sitting around all day with a cigarette in one hand, and a paintbrush in the other, pensively observing an empty canvas- A brush stroke here, and a mark here, and voila! Now that does sound rather fabulous, but it just isn’t the reality, especially not nowadays.

Rather, my days are spent working a part time job, and the rest of my free time, I dedicate to my craft. It isn’t all diamonds and Rosé, but as a post grad student making it work in NYC, I’m grateful that I am able to create and work towards my ideal career.

Don’t get me wrong, I tried the regular job thing- a couple of times in fact. But each time, I reached the same conclusion- I felt completely and utterly unfulfilled. I thought I would be fine working a ‘normal’ job or even being ‘creative-adjacent’, but it was never enough- In fact, I was often discouraged for my creative thinking and was urged by higher ups to keep to the status quo. I was losing myself, and I had to find another way.

Things may not be as stable as I would hope, but being able to wake up, and know I’m working towards my creative passions and career gives me my sense of purpose- even when it’s hard!

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 was lucky enough to be born in a house full of my artists, with so many forms of art. From painting, photography & fashion, I was constantly around so much creative energy- Most of my childhood was spent creating as well- Towns & cities crafted from cardboard boxes, designing blueprints & floor plans for ‘Monty’s Cafe’, and visualizing imaginary worlds with illustrated handbooks for my friends on the playground. My existence was always about creating something, and frankly I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

Growing up, I learned to define where I could put this restless energy- and that was in storytelling. The way I spent countless hours huddled up in a makeshift fort of blankets & pillows, a pile of books by my side, immersing myself into the worlds of Lemony Snicket, Roald Dahl, and many more- I wanted to create that same magic.

As a recent graduate of the School of Visuals Arts in NYC, with a BFA in illustration, i’ve been pursuing a career in Book Illustration. That hasn’t changed the fact that I love storytelling in many different forms- whether its editorial pieces for digital publications like Slate Magazine, or constructing worlds of little characters I dream up- I’m always working towards what it means to be a visual storyteller.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I’m sure many creatives can relate, but sometimes the hardest aspect to overcome is yourself- the harshest critic, that little self deprecating voice, is more often than not in your head. But a big aspect of being creative is your mind, and in turn, taking care of it the best you can.

I have been lucky to have a great support system in my family, but i’ve always struggled with my mental health with depression and anxiety. I think the most self-sabotaging aspect of that is isolating myself from others- especially fellow creatives. What I wish I knew sooner (and I still struggle with!) is that the art world can be a great supportive community, and sometimes no matter how much you work on your craft, connection with others- not just artists- is so significant and valuable. How can my work connect with others, if I’m shying away from making my own interpersonal connections?

To put your work out there can be a really vulnerable experience, but can also be one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an artist.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I think taking in many forms of media is essential of growing your understanding of the world, especially as a creative.. Maybe ‘understanding’ isn’t the right word, as I find a lot more fulfillment of the ‘questions’ of the universe, rather than the answers- Things just aren’t as cookie cutter as they seem, and often than not, our world can be so hypocritical.

The documentary, “Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak” is something I often come back to- Most people know Maurice Sendak for one of the most iconic children’s book ever, “Where the Wild Things Are”, and my childhood bookshelf was absolutely filled to the brim with his books. The documentary is an intimate peek into his work philosophy as well as him as a person. What stood out to me when I first watched it was how he was so ‘atypical’ to what the average person might think a children’s book author/illustrator should be- He also didn’t shy away from hard truths, especially when it came to his stories, which can be seen as a somewhat taboo in the children’s literature world- I highly recommend a watch for all creatives.

Sendak’s Documentary definitely challenged what I believed, at the time, what it means to be an illustrator going into storybook at and literature- Sometimes life is not all cute bunnies and daisies, and to pretend it is so, does young people a disservice. To be a storyteller is also to be authentic, and that is what makes stories universal and multi-generational. I hope to be able to work alongside and create stories that reflect that as well someday.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.montyvaz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monty.vaz/#