Meet Valeria Alvarez | Art Educator, Illustrator, Risograph Enthusiat

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valeria Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valeria, what makes you happy? Why?
I have made this discovery about myself that without community and without a sense of belonging, my passion vanishes almost immediately. It’s a pretty common sentiment these days to talk about recharging your social battery after doing a very mentally taxing task, I feel that way about teaching and networking at local indie markets and fairs. Even saying that, oddly enough, just seeing these folks, gather around, putting themselves out there, and doing the ‘thing’ day in and day out, that charges my battery more than anything. Seeing all these smiling faces with their work out on display, or their brains being receptive to a new kind of art. Witnessing people being creatively vulnerable, it’s so inspiring. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without the kindness and the openness of the people in the indie art community. I can’t thank them enough.
So in short, people make me happy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart from others is my grand sense of curiosity and my strong urge to satiate that craving to learn more. That could just be me being a nosy little guy and needing all the detail right at that second, but I take pride in not leaving any stone unturned. How I got here as a professional is to never stop talking to others about their craft, asking people what they do different or how they use one process over another is so important. Curiosity in your own mastery is the best way to excel in it. What I learned as a person and as an artist is to listen to feedback but ultimately listen to your mind, if you’re unhappy about the way something is going, whether that be your life or a painting, please listen to yourself. Don’t push everything into a corner and hope to come back to it another day, chances are that day may never come, there’s no better time to do something than now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I will never not recommend the Brand Library in Glendale, some of the most beautiful spots to see the sunset in the entire city. Also, there’s a picnic area, a park, a Japanese garden, and a library with a free art gallery! The Brand Library is the most utopian place in the world all in this little tucked away area of the Verdugo Mountains. Can’t recommend it enough.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to thank Rosie and Gray, the folks over at Nova Community Arts, who make it possible for me to silently learn and watch them do their magic. I’ve been a volunteer at their non-profit for over a year now, and I really can’t thank them enough for indirectly helping me find my artistic footing again. They offer some of the most unique art classes in the city, can’t recommend them enough for people who want to dip their toes in many variations of art.

Website: https://www.valeriaalvarezillu.com/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veridreamy/

Image Credits
Valeria Alvarez – 2024