Meet Nena Duran | Graphic Designer | Illustrator

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

Hi Nena, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had a 9-5 job and in that time I was exploring watercolour and different artworks just for fun. But when I was expecting my first child, I thougth “I want to be present for my kid during her first years of life, I want to set the foundation in her heart and soul, that she feels protected and loved and I didn’t want to miss a thing”. Then I started making art and then my small business at home. I can’t not count how many times we sing “let it go!” in duet, has been so worthy! Making art from home with my child was the best thing for her and for my art. I would not be who I am now as an artist if it were not for all the time I spent with her as well as developing my style.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others: I think that what sets me apart is that my portraits and art are very playful. I like to create art that is cute and fun.

Challenges:
starting the business from scratch and learning about the nuances of social media. The lessons I’ve learned is to just keep learning and not letting my creativity be diminished.

Brand/story:
My passion is my motivation in every artwork that I do– that is, to add beauty, to inspire, to bring happiness, to bring good emotions into every day. I am always, as a reminder to myself; searching of those words, songs, phrases, books, whatever that fill our soul with good — something that make us feel alive and loved, is what inspires me to make art. My purpose is for my art to reflect this and that people can feel the same way, not just once but for every time they see my art.

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 are so many different things to go and see within a 4 hour drive of my city (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). But in the city, there is West Edmonton Mall which was the world’s largest mall before the Mall of America was built. Here there are stores, stores and more stores plus an amusement park, waterpark. We also have the largest urban park in North America which we locals call “the river valley” which one can spend a day walking the paths from one end of the city to another. I would suggest to my friend to come in the beginning of July for that’s when ArtWalk take place where people are invited to buy art directly from artists. All artists, share their work. The Art Walk is a non-juried event that attracts professional artists, amateurs, and students. A 4 km outdoor studio and gallery spanning several blocks. The Whyte Avenue Art Walk reveals Alberta’s hidden talent and provides an opportunity for patrons to curate their own art collection from many undiscovered masters. And in August our largest festival is— Heritage Days. It’s a 3 day event where thousands of people come to our largest park to see and hear the cultures that have made Edmonton their permanent home (over 100 countries are represented) AND, of course, their cuisine from their home country.

Outside Edmonton, there is the Rocky Mountains (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper) that we can go hiking, eating at local food restaurants, and just to enjoy the mountain beautiful view. There is also a town called Drumheller where there are Dinosaur fossils and landscape that is really different (part of the newest Ghostbusters movie was filmed there). There is so much nature to be seen that I would want my friend to see.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
The impactful Life podcast
By Jan Ditchfield

Website: https://www.nenaland.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nenalanddesigns

Other: https://www.pinterest.ca/nenalandart/ https://www.tiktok.com/@nenalanddesigns

Image Credits
Photography by: Lana Palmer