Today we’d like to introduce you to Edda Davila.
Hi Edda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Managua, Nicaragua. My grandmother was an artist and one of my favorite childhood memories was going to her small art studio that had two blue wooden windows and a beautiful view to her garden. Since I was little, I was always creative and enjoyed collaging, drawing and painting. I wanted to be an artist.
I had to face the reality that in Nicaragua If I wanted to make a decent life with a good income, I would have to pursue a more conventional career. I graduated from Keiser University Latin American campus with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in management in 2013.
After graduating college, I felt lost with no direction or purpose. I struggled with depression for many years. Feeling that I didn’t want to live anymore. There was something missing in my life, I was unhappy and I turned to parting and alcohol. I knew I needed a change, so I decided to move to Puerto Rico in 2015 to live with my sister. That was the beginning of my journey.
After six months of living in Condado, Puerto Rico I was informed that my sister would be moving to Germany. I had to make an important decision. Go back to Nicaragua or move by myself to Florida.
In 2016, I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was a very difficult few years living by myself, leaving my family behind and only relying on friends. At this point, I was still struggling with depression and I hit a low point in life. I didn’t want to live anymore. I knew this was a road that I was not going down again.
I faced my fears and got help, but I needed something else. That is when I turned to the arts. I would paint to release the pain. I would paint everyday and I found myself painting even when I was happy. Art brought me joy, gave me a purpose, art saved my life.
That was the beginning of the journey when I realized that I had purpose in my life.
To be an example with my art, to inspire and empower people to live a life they are excited to wake up to every day and be the best version of themselves. Live a life of fulfillment and follow your dreams.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The first struggle that I faced was my family, friends and people that knew me not believing in me. When I said I was quitting my full-time job to be an artist, they looked at me like I was insane, people laughed in my face. I was highly discouraged by everyone.
I had the amazing support of my husband and still do to this day. I would not be sitting here answering this interview if It weren’t for him. He is my rock and he believed in me even when I didn’t and got discouraged. He persuaded me to follow my dreams to become a professional artist. It was a difficult road, especially at the beginning when I spent two years trying to make it as a self-taught artist.
The second struggle was realizing that being a self-taught artist wasn’t going to get me far. That is when I decided to invest in my future and get an art education. We just had a newborn baby and decided to continue my studies. In 2022, I graduated from Milan Art Institute from their mastery program and became a professional artist creating and selling artwork. That was when my artistic career took off.
It was a very challenging road but at the end, it all comes down to how bad you want it and I wanted it really bad. There is no stopping me from accomplishing my dreams. There is nothing more rewarding than living a life of fulfillment and following your destiny.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a mixed media acrylic and oil artist. My art is abstract realism specialized in women and animal portraits. In my process I like to incorporate inspirational, motivational written intentions to my collectors. Spray paint, collage and mark making are my favorite techniques.
My artwork is vibrant, bold and powerful. “When you look at my paintings, I want you to get that feeling that you can do it all” that is the message I want to transmit. Every person should live a life of fulfillment.
One of the accomplishments that I am most proud of is to have chosen an unconventional career and followed my dreams and never given up. I am failing my way to success. This is a never-ending road of accomplishments and achievements and I am getting there. I want to be an example to others and specially to my daughter Emma Karel. I want to be an inspiration to her as I follow my own dreams and inspire her to follow hers.
I want to empower people to be their best version of themselves, live a life with purpose and leave a mark behind.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
You are the HERO of your life, you can accomplish all that your heart desires, you have the power. Never give up and follow your dreams!
Contact Info:
- Email: art.eddamdavila@gmail.com
- Website: https://eddamdavila.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddadavila.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddadavilaart-169402338516433/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/eddadavilaart
Image Credits
Jessica K. Wilson Photography
