We were lucky to catch up with Tiara Young recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I have worked on is a painting I completed in 2024 called “Wishing Stars.”

The backstory behind this piece is deeply personal. I am originally from Honduras, and all of my family on my mom’s side still lives there. Living in the United States has always been difficult because I am so far from them. Last summer, my grandmother in Honduras passed away very suddenly. It was devastating, especially because I was supposed to visit Honduras for the first time in ten years to see her. She passed away just one week before my trip.

This trip was incredibly important to me. Growing up, I had strayed away from my Hispanic roots and, over time, lost the ability to speak Spanish. This made it difficult to communicate with my family. However, during my senior year of high school, I began reconnecting with my heritage through art, and I also started relearning Spanish. I was so excited to finally see my family again, to have conversations with them in Spanish, and to share everything that had happened since we last saw each other. Losing my grandmother so close to that moment made it even harder.

I still went to Honduras, but for her funeral instead. That night, we saw a shooting star. It was such an emotional experience, and I took it as a sign from her — as if she was letting us know she was watching over us.

When I returned home, I started working on “Wishing Stars.” Creating the painting helped me cope with my grief and gave me a way to honor that powerful moment. The piece represents not only the sorrow of loss but also the beauty of connection, memory, and healing.

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.

My name is Tiara Young, and I’m a 20-year-old Honduran artist currently studying Graphic Design and Illustration at Iowa State University. I started pursuing art seriously in 2022, and since then, I’ve had the opportunity to show my work in multiple galleries, exhibitions, and artist vendor shows — not only locally but also in other cities and states. I have been fortunate to win awards for my artwork as well.

How I Got Into My Craft:

Art has always been a part of my life, but it wasn’t until 2022 that I truly committed to focusing on it as a career and passion. Since then, I have explored various forms of visual art, mainly painting and drawing, but I enjoy experimenting with all kinds of media. Studying Graphic Design and Illustration has helped me broaden my creative skill set and deepen my connection to my craft.

What I Provide:

I offer a range of creative services, including:

Fine art (paintings, drawings, and mixed media)

Custom graphic design work for clients (through personal commissions and through projects at my university)

Artwork that celebrates and represents Hispanic culture

What Sets Me Apart:

I believe what sets me apart is my ability to balance a creative life with education and work. I stay deeply committed to growing both academically and artistically, allowing me to bring a strong sense of discipline and creativity to everything I do. My work is also rooted in cultural storytelling — I aim to highlight the beauty of Hispanic heritage through my art, creating pieces that are meaningful, personal, and empowering.

What I’m Most Proud Of / What I Want You to Know:

I am proud of how far I have come as a young artist — from getting my work into galleries to connecting with new audiences through exhibitions and design work. What I want potential clients, followers, and supporters to know is that my work is created with passion and purpose. Whether I’m designing for a client or creating a painting, my goal is to make art that feels authentic, celebrates identity, and inspires connection.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing people connect and relate to my work. One of the main reasons I create is to evoke emotion and create a sense of shared experience — I want people to feel something meaningful when they look at my art. Another rewarding part is being able to represent and uplift my community. As a Hispanic artist, it means a lot to prove that we can succeed in any profession we choose. I hope my journey inspires younger generations to follow their passions.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

While it’s not a single story, something that illustrates my resilience is the mindset I’ve had to develop throughout my journey. Sometimes, I forget how young I am. I find myself doubting my skills and comparing my work to that of more experienced artists. It can be easy to fall into the mindset of thinking I’m not good enough or that I’m never going to make it in this field. However, when I am feeling this way, I try and remind myself of everything I have already accomplished. I also remind myself that I’m still at the very beginning of my journey. I have so much life ahead of me to keep learning, improving, and creating. Holding onto that perspective helps me push through self-doubt and stay committed to my passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tiarayou.myportfolio.com/about
• Instagram: mintea._.art

Image Credits

Belinda Arnett and Mateo Duron