We recently connected with Rosa Valdovinos Phillip and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rosa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Having a ‘gagillion’ art jobs has always been exhausting. Yet, I can’t imagine myself doing anything but multi-tasking all these careers. Growing up in a family of all girl siblings my dad always told us we have to work hard for the things we want and always do more so we wouldn’t have to depend on anyone. Having that mindset has allowed me to be, one, an annoying over achiever who at times exhausts herself. But, two, someone who knows she’s capable of anything she sets her heart on. But it’s hard, we all have limits, I’m constantly wondering whether I’m doing enough, whether I should be doing more, or just stip and commit to one full time job, and over thinking in such a frustrating way my anxiety spikes up.
Recently though, with all the current events of the world and the fragility of all our life spans, I’ve realized that we are so lucky to be on this earth. We are so lucky to have the things we have and I’m grateful for all I do, my own photography business that allows me to capture once in a lifetime moments, my private art lessons that make me feel like the coolest, my art teaching that has my students always reminding me that my art is “awesome”, my paint party business that helps me share my talents with others, & a bilingual interventionist job that allows me to help dual language kiddos improve academically. When I try to explain it to people these all sound like a mouth full haha, but I love it. I’m happy, I wake up happy thinking about all I do. I end my days smiling because I’m proud of all I did that day.
It’s so physically taxing some days thag I’m currently in the process of getting knee surgery and will definitely be slowing down quite a bit but at this very moment I’m happy and in love with everything that I do.

Rosa, 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?

Hola! I graduated with a BFA what feels like so long ago its hard to remember where I started. I took so many photography classes in college & would always take my best friends photos I decided to just go ahead and make a business out of it, Art de Rosa Photography.
My private art lessons started Summer of 2015 when a family friend wanted to occupy her 10 year old one summer & since then all kinds of parents have emailed me to give art lessons or art ‘camp’ week for their child.
Paint Parties To-Go where I bring all the materials to your home which is always fun, especially after some wine
UHCL: Art School for Children and Young Adults Classes I teach during school semesters that started in Fall 2017
& my CCISD Bilingual Interventionist job & Art GT program jobs.

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

For one, you are your best resource. I know not everyone is a social butterfly but learning how to speak about yourself to others is key. All the jobs I’ve gotten in my life have been because someone recommended me for the job. You have to network yourself. Don’t be shy to speak about your skills and assets. Go to any public or private events that pertain to your field. Be confident or ” fake it till you make it” because let’s be honest. Do we ever stop learning? No. Can we grow and improve daily? Yes. Sign up for that online workshop, go with a buddy or best friend to that one weekend class. Explore YouTube and enjoy growing. Visit a book store and find books that interest you on your field that you’ll ACTUALLY read, otherwise don’t spend the money.
But always remember, be comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable and growing at your OWN pace and not that of others.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Things I remind myself often to ground my mind and emotions:

Is this making me emotionally happy? My dad always reminds me that money comes and goes but if you’re enjoying your craft you’ll enjoy your life.
Also song by Dirty Heads – Vacation “I’m on vacation every single day cause I love my occupation.”
Trust me work will be physically tasking OFTEN, but you gotta push through and learn to love it and enjoy it.

But if money is your goal:
ALWAYS, improve your skills so you can be “the hardest worker in the room” -the Rock and give a monetary value to your gifts and stack that money up!!!!!! Have an open mindset to learn and do things you aren’t familiar with.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com.com/artderosa
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/artderosaphotography
• Other: www.inprnt.com/artderosa

Image Credits
Photos of me by Adrianna Kenebrew Rosa Luna piece by me Sunflower photo- Sonia & Carlos by me Grad photo- Kayla by me Maternity Photo- Angie by me Nude Lady- Art piece by my private art lessons student Lilly G. Jamail