Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Perez.
Adriana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, I was always making, painting or drawing something. It’s something I truly enjoy doing. Unfortunately, as I got older, adult life started to kick in, and I didn’t have much time to paint anymore. I was working on getting my bachelors in psychology from FIU and also working at a mental health center.
At 24 years old I opened a CrossFit gym (The CrossFit Cube) and also became a competitive athlete. So my time became really limited. Fast forward to 2011, I took a major hit to the knee and was on bed rest for a long, long time. A really good friend of mine gave me a sketch pad and some paint as a get well soon gift. I started to draw and paint again.
I realized how much I missed the feeling it gave me and how much I needed Art in my life. Once my knee healed and I was back to my regular life, I prioritized my time and did what made me happy, and that was painting. Eventually, I began to paint more and share my work on Facebook and Instagram. In 2012, I sold my first painting, and I haven’t stopped since. I’m now a full-time Artist traveling the world for inspiration.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Between owning and running a CrossFit gym (which was a 24-hour job) and trying to fit in time and energy to paint, spend time with my loved ones and maintain a social life. I was having a really tough time. I was extremely tired, and I began to notice both my art and the gym were suffering. They both required my full attention and energy. I got to a point where I felt that I had to choose between being a gym owner or an Artist.
To be honest, I felt that I really didn’t have a choice. I had to paint; I had to create. It’s what made me feel more like myself than anything else. I had to be selfish for my own good. It was a big risk because at the time I wasn’t making enough money from my art to sustain myself. But I made it work, I understood I had to make some sacrifices for a while, and I was okay with that. Materialistic things didn’t matter to me anymore.
Another thing, I struggled with was putting myself out there. I’m very shy and introverted so it was something I had to work on, and I’m still working on. One of my favorite quotes that helps me is by Jim Carrey… Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Risk being seen in all of your glory.”
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is “DriSkee Art,” I sell paintings created by me.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, I think our city is a great place for Artist. Wynwood was just the beginning of the growing art scene. Now art galleries, murals and artist studios can be found in almost every neighborhood — for example, little Havana, Bird road and Kendall. And Miami also has one of the biggest art events in the world, Art Basel.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.driskeeart.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Driskee_art
- Facebook: Facebook/driskeeart
- Twitter: Dri_skee
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