We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Prisila Vazquez-Nava. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Prisila below.

Hi Prisila, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

My first client was my mom! She has always been very supportive of my creative endeavors and career choice. If I recall correctly, it was early in the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, I was bored out of my mind and really only working on making art. My mom noticed and was impressed by the improvement in my painting skills, so she commissioned me a painted still life of a flower vase and daisies. At that point in time, I had not made money from my artwork, so it was really exciting when she paid me $75 for a 9×12 inch painting. I was so appreciative and put a lot of time effort into the piece so that it would align with her payment. I was 14, and even though the client was my mom, it meant a lot to be commissioned and to be given that hope that I really could make a living as an artist someday. Working with her as my first client also benefited me because I learned how to price and sell my artwork to future clients.

Prisila, 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?

Of course! I’m Prisila, I’m 19 years old, currently a student at MSU Denver and a working artist. I’ve always loved making art but did not consider it as a career choice until my freshman year of high school when I realized that art was what I am passionate about. I began to network and insert myself into the Denver art scene during my sophomore year of high school when I completed the Art+Action Lab Summer internship at MSU Denver’s Center for Visual Art. Since then, I’ve connected with several artists, peers, and mentors. Just recently, I have joined the Chameleon Art Collective, which is a group of skilled, working artists and teachers, created by my former art instructor, Timi Biermann. We focus on building our creative skills and networking system by collaborating, teaching, and hosting shows together. Above all, we create community! It’s a wonderful opportunity and I am so excited to learn new skills, sell more art, and for my overall future within the group.

As for my artwork, I’m still figuring out which mediums I’d like to specialize/market in, but I’ve worked in ceramic, drawing, painting, collage, and more. Right now I am really enjoying photography and clay sculpture, both generally and specifically in portraiture. I am also learning to sew and upcycle clothing catered to the alternative and punk audience of Denver’s hardcore music scene. I fully intend to participate in more shows and markets with the hope to keep selling my work and collaborating with other artists.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

There are two missions driving my journey, those being community and money. Firstly, I’ve always been a very introverted person and have a hard time making connections. I have very few close friends, and while I love them endlessly, I do sometimes wish I had a community I “belong” to. I find it difficult to go out, talk to people, and initiate those conversations that lead to opportunity. However, I’ve recently stepped out of my bubble and have made an effort to connect with fellow artists, hence joining the Chameleon Art Collective and attending more art events. By doing so, I hope to make long lasting friendships and be known in the Denver art scene without the fear of rejection. I want to be someone that the local community can rely on.

Secondly, money is also a big motivator. Unfortunately, the world runs on money, and making money as a working artist is very difficult. The world doesn’t place a lot of importance in artisans anymore, so a lot of creatives are forced to work jobs they aren’t passionate about because of the financial instability that being an artist suggests. I have this fear myself. I could very well be studying to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer, but they are simply careers that I am not passionate about. I want to be able to pursue my dream of being a full time artist but also make enough money to sustain myself. I refuse to fall into the ‘starving artist’ stereotype, so I am making the foundations to generate multiple streams of income. It will be difficult, but I will overcome it.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is reaching new skills/achievements, and witnessing people enjoy my art. Nothing is more validating and hopeful than selling an artwork and see people excited for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: personal: https://prisilavazqueznava.com/ & Chameleon Art Collective: https://chameleon-collective.com/
• Instagram: personal: @prisilavn & artwork: @_sila_art_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prisila-vazquez-nava-a509a8313

Image Credits

Prisila Vazquez-Nava