Meet Frida Avila | Fine Artist

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

Hi Frida, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
A lot of the time, I really don’t know whether to keep going or give up. I tend to find myself on the verge of giving up when things get too hard, when I get overwhelmed, or when things just aren’t turning out the way I want them to. But I have the need to finish what I started, even if I’m not happy with the results all the time. You don’t really know when you should give up or when you have to keep going; you truly just have to do what you feel is right in the moment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got to where I am today through constant struggles and setbacks; it was definitely not the easiest thing I have experienced. From almost not graduating high school, to dropping out of college before even starting, many things in between, and finally going back, it was extremely non-linear and difficult. But that’s ok! Even though I didn’t know what I was doing most of the time, I always found myself going back to one thing, which was the need to create. I feel like when you have one certain drive to do something, it really fuels your motivation to do more. I’ve learnt to be patient and I’ve learnt that not everything is going to be the way we want them to be. But that’s what makes our journey so much more important and valuable. I’m still learning to value what I have now 🙂

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born and (somewhat) raised in the SFV, but I spent a lot of my time going all over LA. Definitely taking them to Historic LA through the Metro system, and having a day to wander DTLA and Silverlake/Echo Park. Definitely also hitting up Amoeba Music and walking down Sunset Blvd. If you’re in LA, you also Have to visit some of their restored theaters, like the New Beverly, The Aero, The Egyptian, and even Vidiots. If we want a day in the Valley, we’d probably head to CD Trader over in Tarzana. Sit down and have a coffee at San Fernando Coffee Company. And I always say dinner at In N Out, or any of the ma and pa Mexican shops in Pacoima.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to every single professor who had faith in my work, and every single one who told me it was a joke. They both have motivated me to continue to improve my work, and have helped guide me where I am. And a big shoutout to all of my artist friends, because every single one has inspired me in some sort of way, and they always continue to do so 🙂

Instagram: @heavenlylocusts