Our second blog interview artist is Gabriela Valencia. She is a very talented fine artist located in St. Petersburg, FL. Check out Gabriela’s background and interview below, as well as the links to sites where you can see her art..

Gabriela’s Bio (in her own words):

I am a visual artist and violinist, passionate about arts and culture advocacy, originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador.  I have lived in the Tampa Bay area for about 13 years.  Owner of Gabriela Valencia Studio and Gallery at St. Pete Beach, Florida from 2013 to 2020. 

My pictorial style reflects imaginary realism, surrealism, symbolism, and my subconscious searching a relationship with reality. 

 I am teaching art, music and violin to elementary and middle school, always able to come up with ideas that will take the arts to a different level for the  good of the society.  

In addition I have been involved in a spectrum of multidisciplinary artistic, educational and cultural projects with local and international collectives and nonprofit organizations. Music education, the arts and community work are the foundation of my career. 

“My art finds real meaning when I connect with the dreams of others.”

You can see Gabriela’s art at the following links:

www.gabrielavalenciaartist.com  in progress 

https://gabriela-valencia.pixels.com 

https://www.facebook.com/gabrielavalenciaartist  

https://www.instagram.com/gabrielavalenciaartist 

Interview Questions

Question: How do you decide on the subjects you are going to paint?

Answer: I let my creativity flow intuitively, then I deeply research the subject of my interest, and explore analogies, metaphors and symbolisms. A first sketch guides my hand as the work’s composition and color palette grow with a life of its own. As I evolve day to day, life gradually intertwines with my work giving birth to different ways of reading it. During this process I aim to touch the audience's awareness, developing a connection with the art piece hopefully to catalyze from an abstract idea a call to action to bring about change in a more humane (empathetic) direction.

Question:  How do you use your artistic talents besides creating art for your business?

Answer: Besides creating art for my business, I use it to raise awareness about social issues or advocate for change. 

I use my artistic talents in the field of art and music education. Likewise, in simple day-to-day things.

Question:  What advice would you give to new artists that you wish you knew when you first started as an artist?

Answer: In my opinion it is important to recognize that being an artist is a continuous journey of growth and improvement. Be open to learning new techniques, experimenting with different styles, and exploring various mediums. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and see them as opportunities to learn and develop your skills. Be open to inspiration from various sources.

Question:  How do you think artificial intelligence is affecting/is going to affect the art industry?

Answer: I think it is crucial for artists and creative people to carefully consider to find a balance between the use of AI and traditional art-making techniques. However there’s a market for each of them and it cannot replace human creativity and the unique perspectives of artists.  Another fact is that questions related to ownership, authorship and intellectual property rights need to be addressed.

Question:  Who have been your artistic influences and why?

Answer: Describing and enumerating the individuals who have influenced my art is a challenging task. Artistic creation is a complex interplay of various elements, including personal experiences, emotions, daily life, cultural influences, literature, music, movies, interactions with diverse individuals, fellow artists, and the ongoing development of my education and technical skills. It is the culmination of these factors over time that shape and inform my artistic expression.

Question:  What do you think the art industry is going to look like in 5 years? 

Answer: Predicting the future of the art industry is challenging, only time will tell!

In my opinion Technology will continue to play a prominent role in the art industry: virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), AI, and blockchain technology will likely become more widespread; the growth of online art platforms and marketplaces.

 Furthermore artists and art institutions will be more conscious of their carbon footprint, embracing eco-friendly practices. Artworks addressing social and political issues will continue to be significant. With the ease of global communication and collaboration, artists from different backgrounds and cultures will increasingly collaborate on projects, fostering cross-cultural exchange.