Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanessa Martinez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Vanessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Overall, I would say I am happy to be an artist. Despite the doubt others may have in my career choice, going into this field I knew what was most important to me was doing something I am passionate about. Art is my calling, and having the ability to keep on practicing what I have loved doing since I was young is a true blessing. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t questioned my decision in choosing this career. Being an artist is hard. Earning money to live is hard. I know family members and other acquaintances would have hoped I had chosen a more practical career so that I could earn money, but even if I would have, I would not be truly happy with myself and certainly would have regretted it in the future.

Vanessa, 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?

I’ve been a creator of art since I was a child, discovered my calling in high school, and studied my creative passion for four years at university. Art has always been present in my life, and while growing up I had thought about following a more socially accepted career, art was always on my mind. The idea of doing something that will ultimately bring me joy, not just financial success, was what also motivated me to pursue a degree in art. I’m an illustrator, and I love creating work that embodies a sense of coziness and warmth. If there’s one thing I hope clients can gather from my work, it’s comfort. I want to be able to provide people with a sense of happiness through my illustrations. My illustrations vary from fantastical to slice of life. I create work using watercolors because I love the softness the technique can bring to a piece. While I mainly use watercolor and other traditional mediums, I also aspire to create more works digitally as well. What I am most proud of is a children’s book I wrote and illustrated for my senior show. While it isn’t published yet, hopefully one day, the love and hard work I put into this book makes it so precious to me. In addition, the feedback I received at my show is something I will always treasure and is what pushes me to keep going on my artistic journey.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the impact my pieces can have on others. We live in a world where unfortunately, it can be stressful, scary and just plain ugly. Being able to create illustrations that capture the beauty in the most mundane things or creating a fantastical character that can bring those who are struggling a sense of warmth, is so rewarding. Even when things get difficult in life, I love how my art, and other creatives work can make a positive impact.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

For me, one of my goals through my creative journey is to be at a place where I can just live happily. Truly happy. I want to be able to wake up in the morning, not be stressed about having to choose my art or getting a 9 to 5 that will “pay the bills” and just be able to be at peace with myself and my art. I’ve had my struggles, and life has worn me down, but despite those turmoils and the doubt others make me feel about my artistic endeavors, I want to be at a place where I don’t have those doubts, where I can live as an artist and be grateful for that opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iridianillustration.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/iridianillustration?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==