We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Silvia Aviles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Silvia below.
Silvia, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
When was the first time you knew you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally? Give us the backstory, so we can understand the context and the circumstances and re-experience that moment with you. Art has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is of my father teaching me how to paint a landscape when I was six years old. That first painting felt magical as if I had discovered a new way to see the world. It was more than just a childhood activity; it was the beginning of a lifelong dialogue with color, emotion, and imagination.When I was eleven, my mother encouraged me to take painting classes at the House of Ecuadorian Culture in Quito. It was there that I participated in my first exhibition. That early experience awakened something powerful within me, a deep desire to explore, learn, and understand the world of art. Over the years, I continued developing my artistic practice, and after moving to New York, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at York College. During that time, I received a Recognition Award for Academic Excellence and a Borstein Scholarship in Fine Arts. One of my drawings, “Woman,” was selected as the featured image for the college’s Writing Program website and later published in its annual book. That recognition touched me deeply and strengthened my confidence in pursuing my artistic career with even greater passion and purpose.
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 a figurative artist from Ecuador, currently based in New York. I work primarily with oil and acrylic painting, occasionally incorporating other media as I experiment with new textures, emotions, and ideas. Since I was little, I watched my mother plant flowers and care for her garden. That experience awakened in me a deep love for nature, which has remained a constant source of inspiration throughout my artistic journey. Contemplating the magic and mystery of the natural world helps me reconnect with myself, organize my thoughts and emotions, and renew my spirituality. The search for the essence of nature feels as infinite as the exploration of my own being. My work explores the profound connection between women and nature. The women in my paintings embody beauty, strength, and resilience, as well as a spiritual bond between the human soul and the natural world. Their presence reflects transformation, inner power, and silent wisdom. Through the union of the feminine force and the grandeur of Mother Nature, I find endless inspiration that continues to grow and evolve with every piece I create.
Each painting is more than a visual composition; it is a space for reflection, emotion, and connection. Through my art, I seek to explore identity, celebrate feminine resilience, and honor the sacred presence of nature that guides and nurtures us all.
One of the things I’m really proud of is knowing that my art makes people feel happy when they receive one of my paintings. That emotional connection means so much to me, it’s one of the most special things I get to experience as an artist. I am also proud that my work has received international recognition. I’ve been honored with awards from the Society of Modern Japanese Art, the Arts to Hearts Project as an Emerging Woman Artist, Spotlight Magazine, and the Circle Foundation for the Arts. My paintings have been exhibited at the Museum in Bayonne, New Jersey, and in several wonderful galleries and art spaces across New York City, including One Art Space in Tribeca, Max Gallery in SoHo, the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, and The Clemente in Manhattan. Internationally, my work has been shown at the Art Society Exhibition and the Metropolitan Art Museum, as well as at SIACCA Gallery in Tokyo, Shoshinkan Gallery in Nagano, and the JCAA Gallery at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. I’m also honored to be part of the WAH Center, where my paintings are included in the Yuko Nii Foundation’s collection, and to be a member of the Society of Japanese and American Creators.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding part of being creative is that moment when I start with just an idea and slowly watch it take shape. I usually don’t plan ahead, when I paint, I begin with a portrait or a figure, and as I work, it transforms based on what I’m feeling in that moment. That process is what I love the most, because I never really know what’s going to emerge. It feels like a kind of magic, an intimate conversation between the canvas, the brushes, and the paint. It’s so satisfying to enjoy every step of that journey and then see the idea come to life. My work becomes a bridge to express things that words sometimes can’t. And in the end, I love inviting people, especially women, to connect with my art, reflect, feel inspired, and connect with nature.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission as an artist is to explore the human experience, including emotions, resilience, growth, transformations, and spirituality, and express them through color, texture, and symbolism. I aim to create art that invites reflection, healing, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty within us and around us. My work is also a tribute to Mother Nature. I believe we are deeply connected to the natural world, and through my paintings, I hope to awaken that connection and the harmony between the human spirit and nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.silviaaviles.com
- Instagram: @silviart13
Image Credits
Silvia Aviles