Meet Laura Reyes | Illustrator

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

Hi Laura, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up, I always wanted to do something creative. I remember as a kid, I would draw little comics or design outfits for my dolls. My high school art teacher was also a big inspiration. In her class, I learned the basics of art and how we could take an idea in our minds to something tangible. She also demonstrated how it was possible to have a career in the arts. I also admire how art can communicate to a large audience. A big part of who I am is my Mexican culture. My parents were born in Mexico while I was born in the United States. However, growing up, there would be barriers in language. I still think about my grandpa before he passed and how I wished I could have had conversations about his life and how he was working in the United States in the 1950s. But, art was always there for me. I could draw something and instantly whoever views my art has a connection, no words needed. It’s truly something amazing. I hope to inspire others with my art as I have been inspired by others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In my art, I want to tell a story and hope to connect to the audience who views it. I love seeing how art can inspire people or make their day. I try to incorporate my culture into my art too. Both of my parents are from Oaxaca, and I’ve visited a few times to see their old homes and the town they grew up in. I am always in awe of the vibrant colors and the different art forms seen in alebrijes, pottery, and other forms of art from Oaxaca.

I think I’m proud on how I’ve grown as a person through my art. Being someone who is introverted makes it hard to talk and try to form connections, but with my art, I’ve been able to share it with others and my community. It hasn’t been easy but putting myself forward has helped immensely and being able to engage with my community brings me joy. Working on a mural in my city was amazing to be able to talk with people passing by, or people saying that they take the street to work every day, and seeing the mural brightens up their commute.

I would want others to know that it’s okay to put yourself out there and create!

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.
There’s so many spots in Aurora! I would start by going to get somewhere to get breakfast. I really like the cafe Society57, their coffee is really good. Then, I would show them all the public art that’s in the downtown area, there’s a lot of variety to the art and would be interesting to hear their thoughts about them! There’s also cool stores to shop at like Offbeat Vintage for vintage clothes and Superjumbo for records. I would like to get dinner somewhere local like Alice’s Corner for Bolivian food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and friends are a big source of support for me! My family taught me to find a way for myself and to be a genuine person. My friends too have helped me immensely, they’ve helped me discover myself as person and were there for me during times that I felt I wasn’t enough. I also want to thank my teachers in school and how they helped me improve my art, as well as being a guide to me in my artistic journey.

Website: https://www.laurareyesillustration.com/

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

Image Credits
Janice Rodriguez Rodrigo Reyes Zoila Galvan