We were lucky to catch up with REENA TOLENTINO recently and have shared our conversation below.

REENA, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My Father married my Mother and had me. My parents divorced when I was 2 and I learned the important value of a male role in my life as it was void until my step father married my Mother. I now consider my step father my real father. How the nuclear family creates stability and balance within the family sphere.

REENA, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began my career in acting and music. But early on I knew art wasn’t something I thought I could make a career out of. It was always for fun and therapy for me. While producing an action film on location, I would spend every break visualizing and preparing my studio space for what we now call my ‘Hollywood Icons: Gone But Never Forgotten’ narrative.I would retreat into an art existentialism but when show day would get near, I would be a social butterfly partying at my solo exhibitions peeling back the introverted Reena who once created the vibrant- dark portraitures. This is what attracted me to the art world, traveling to different cities, creating new artworks, make money and revel with my best friends. I am most proud of taking the courage to travel by myself to make new connections for future shows. At the beginning I was scared to travel by solo, but not all your friends have chosen this artrepreneural life, where the risk is the money that we don’t have but the benefits of going have lasted a lifetime. As an artist, I think you have to be okay with being alone.But know it’s not better to work alone when you’re building a legacy, An artist needs to be warrior-like and work in teams especially if they have big dreams that require more human collaboration and capital. As I become more entrepreneurial in my art career, I find myself giving in less to the 9-5 job work week. I’d rather eat what I kill instead of feeling like I’m limited to a certain dollar amount. Others will feel the enthusiasm when you love what you do, In this town (in LA), people say they love what they do but sometimes I see them unhappy feeding their ego of what they think they should be doing. Be honest with YOURSELF. What would you do 24-7 if you had to and wanted to?

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society can stop cutting the budgets of Art and Creative Subjects in Educational Systems. Artists can support artists by collaborating with artists and share relationships. The most successful people bring people together.
As companies realize competition is increasing for brand loyalty and consumers associate art culture with authenticity. Organic relationships with artists- creatives are becoming most essential for shaping today’s brand culture.
Lastly, the art gallery old system of 50/50 is out. No one wants to do business that way unless you are The Gagosian, call me :)

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

Yes, I want to paint on the MOON!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reenatolentino.com
• Instagram: @reenatolentino
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reena-tolentino-0047796b
• Twitter: @RTtheArtronaut
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reenatolentino/videos
• Other: https://www.arteyouthprogram.org For more Information on my charity for Education in S.T.E.A.M for Filipino and Minority Youth.

Image Credits
Photo Image ” 3d75….” with painting: Brandon Galucci photo Image “829b2….” with black top: Bruce Martin Images Photo ” 4168″: Anthony Rose Photo ” 4170″: Steve Pomerants