We’re looking forward to introducing you to Valeria Granda. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Valeria, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes, I have had recent moments that have made me feel proud. Along with being very proud of myself for accomplishing my goal of graduating from university and earning my fine arts degree, I am also proud of how I have participated in my local art community since my recent graduation. What I like to do to stay engaged with my local art community is to stay tuned in to local art workshops and events in my area along with something else that I have always done and continue to do which is attend art exhibitions at art galleries and art museums. I have already attended a few art workshops and events like art tours recently and they have been a lot of fun. My experiences being able to connect with local artists in this way has made me feel proud. I am also proud to bring my friends who work in other fields to these events with me and introduce them to art and to the art community as well. I have seen the joy it brings to my friends like it brings me and that makes me so happy. I highly encourage looking out for events like these in your area and expanding your community and creative interests and passions.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an artist born and raised in Miami, FL. Art has been a very big part of my life ever since I was little. I studied visual arts in the Visual Arts Academy throughout all four years at the magnet high school Robert Morgan Educational Center. I recently graduated summa cum laude from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art and a minor in Art History. My artwork combines drawing, painting, and text to investigate themes of self-identity and self-empowerment, art history, nature, and architecture. While I use a variety of materials where necessary to create my vision for my artwork, I primarily use acrylic, graphite, charcoal, and artist’s tape on canvas, and graphite, ink, and inkjet on paper. I am heavily influenced by conceptualism, abstract expressionism, and minimalism. I have exhibited my artwork at several group exhibitions including “Ctrl + Esc” at Laundromat Art Space in Miami, FL, “Quartz” in Florida International University’s Graham Center Ballroom, “Control + Alt + Delete” and “Toy Models Vol. 3” in Florida International University’s W1 Gallery, and “Behold, Her” in Florida International University’s Graham Center Gallery. My artwork has also been published in Florida International University’s art magazine “Florilegium.”
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was pursuing my artistic creativity when I was growing up, seeing how much I loved doing that, and sticking to it. Committing to my passion in art throughout my life has made me grow into the artist I am today. There is still growing and learning to do. I know there is more to learn and that I can continue to develop as an artist. It is a beautiful and powerful feeling knowing what it is that I love to do from a very young age and creating art all my life. I loved coloring, drawing, and painting as a child and all of my experiences growing up taking art classes, studying art, and obtaining a fine arts degree in art have immensely leveled up my skills as an artist that I am so proud of.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I incorporated and expressed my pain through my art is when I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power. As an artist, it’s important for me to express as many facets of myself as I feel open and ready to expressing. I find that one of the beautiful things about art is the opportunity to express myself wholly including all my different feelings and emotions, pains and struggles, and joys and excitement along with so much more that makes me who I am. For me, it is about bringing all of that into my artwork. I believe that along with expressing the negative emotions I go through, I should also express the positive emotions I go through, and I have done so through my art. It makes me happy knowing that I have been able to express and process the hard times I have been through and then on the flip side, express the positivity and healing that came after those hard times in my artwork as well. It is truly an enriching experience to show that through my art and look back on it and see not only how I grew as an artist showing this incredibly vulnerable side of myself in my art, but how I grew as a person as well.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief or project that I am committed to, no matter how long it takes, is my growth as an artist. I have already learned so much as an artist throughout my career and I know there is more to come. This will be a lifelong process and I don’t see it being any other way. This not only applies to my career as an artist, but as a person as well that I believe applies to everyone. Whatever it may be that we are passionate about and just learning about ourselves and growing as human beings, that is a process that goes on for the rest of our lives. Knowing that and accepting and embracing this part of our lives that we never stop learning is one of the many beauties of life in general. Overall, I am committed to growing and excited to see what comes next for me as an artist.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am happy to say that I am doing what I was born to do. From a very young age, I knew I was born to be an artist. Here I am now as a young adult enjoying my career as an artist. I found out very early on in my life that art is my passion and I have pursued that ever since. My parents also instilled in me to do whatever it was that I wanted to do. They never told me to do anything that I did not want to do. I am grateful that I have the support from my parents in that way. They have always wanted me to do what makes me happy and they can see how much being an artist makes me happy. I can only hope that through my love of art and connecting with others I have brought joy and happiness into other people’s lives as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://valeriagranda.com
- Instagram: @valeriagrandastudio
Image Credits
Valeria Granda
