We were lucky to catch up with Suly Florian recently and have shared our conversation below.
Suly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been leading an art program with a school here in Houston named AAMA, short for The Association of Advancement of Mexican Americans. This program, synchronously named Casa de Phoenix (House of the Phoenix), houses young men ages 12-17 whom have either been displaced from their home due to hardship, or have had hardships in their lives and are at risk of dropping out of high school, and rehabilitate them back on track to graduate and go to college. As you know, my artist name is Ace Phoenix, and my personal background resonates with their cause. I had extreme hardship throughout high school, and as a result dropped out. I decided however, to acquire my GED and continue my studies, not just in school but in life as well. As you can imagine, my heart was drawn to the kids in this program. I worked with them for months teaching them how to paint, along with guiding them through life questions and decisions. We all chose to paint a phoenix rising from the ashes. These kids didn’t need another critical voice, but an open heart and an ear to be heard. We spoke about how your rock bottom can be your foundation to build upon, and how they can use street skills to consciously advance themselves and others in their journey through this life. Their painting was put up for auction, sold , and donated back to their home, Casa de Phoenix, as a reminder of what they created, and to motivate them to propel forward.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I got into the arts industry through sheer determination. I acted immediately once I felt the urgency of my passion. I was just about to turn 30 and realized if I don’t follow my passion for painting, I’ll miss my opportunity. I was living in Louisiana at the time and had a full time job in the beauty industry, which I had climbed the ladder for over a decade, and made an abrupt decision to quit, move back to Houston, and start my art career. I had nothing to lose by jumping, and everything to lose if I didn’t. It was an easy decision. I had no direction, no mentor, no money, but I had a fire inside me that lit the way. I practiced everyday and faced every fear, like networking and speaking in front of people. The more I went through this journey, the stronger I got and the more confident I became. What I do now is translate my clients thoughts onto canvas. Many people have so many beautiful thoughts with no idea how to display them artistically. That is where I come in. I get to know my client as best I can by investigating their intention and their goal. I ask many questions to be able to fill in the blanks. Once I have all the information available, I bring them forward on canvas in a harmonious way, like telling a story. My favorite part is the reveal and their reactions! I live for it! That is the reason I desire to get to know my client more deeply. I love to see joy sparked within them from a talent I have been blessed with. It is like they paint it with me. What’s better than that?!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I believe that if society brought more creativity to the forefront of careers and lives, we’d be better at problem solving as well as inventing conscious ways of living. INVEST in the creatives, in their art, in their minds! Especially in schools and where children’s mental evolution is involved. Not only is it beneficial in a healthy mental dynamic but economically as well. What I’ve learned from painting murals throughout the city is that it attracts curiosity from around the world. Tourists come to where the artwork is and pour money into the city, whether it be at restaurants, shows, or local small businesses. People tend to invest in the artistic expression of others, and that is uniting at its best… in my opinion of course.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Watching the evolution of the painting journey. It teaches me patience and empathy towards myself. There are moments (most of the time) where I hate what I’ve done somewhere in the middle of my projects, and think people are going to hate it as well, and feeling like I’m not good enough, and by staying committed to the journey, I end up falling in love with the painting. By doing this, I am able to have awareness of other people going through their own journeys, and it keeps me from criticizing and judging. In turn, I have patience and understanding instead.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.acephoenixart.com
- Instagram: @acepheonixart
- Other: TikTok: acephoenixarts