Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Gotera
Hi Alejandra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is still in the making. I used to be afraid to share it because I’m still not where I want to be. I used to think we live in a world where society values success in the form of: “How much can you possibly achieve before you turn 30? How much do you have invested? Do you have a house yet? How many paintings do you sell in a month? What gallery is representing you? Where’s your studio?”. However, in the last two years, I have done much work on myself mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I learned that I’m the only one who can define success for myself. I’m the one who needs to appreciate my journey and find value in my process. That will make it valuable to others as well.
I’m from Venezuela. I believe most of us are aware of the country’s political and economic situation. By high school graduation, I knew two things: 1. I wanted to go to school for art; I didn’t think I was going to be good or happy at anything else. And 2. I wanted to go abroad; I didn’t think my chosen creative path would thrive there among all the turmoil. So my sisters, mom, and I convinced my dad to let me come to the US to study art (me being the youngest of three sisters, it took him a while to say yes). But because I’m the luckiest person in the world to have a family as supportive as mine. I moved to Tampa, FL, 2013 and got my BFA in Studio Art at USF in 2017.
I got my degree and my paintings and moved to Miami. I realized that to work in a gallery, I’d actually have to sell artwork. At that point, I was terrible at selling so I went into teaching instead -it’s funny because I always told myself I wouldn’t teach; I struggled with the whole ‘artists who teach meant their work didn’t make it’ idea, but I know better now- I learned that the art world thrives on networking, something I was also awful at, and that I’m only learning how to do now. I still participated in shows sporadically and sold pieces, but it was not enough to sustain myself and make it my sole career. On top of that, being an immigrant from a turbulent country trying to make a living in a country with mixed views on immigration, having to figure out papers and visas. It’s difficult. It’s scary. I got lucky to have the support of a family who doesn’t believe in geography being a limitation to love. I also found friends to call family; who don’t think geography is a problem either because they also had to move… I have learned so much in teaching and painting over the last seven years, all of it has made me grow. It helped understand myself and what I’m capable of as an independent woman and a creative person.
My journey looking for stability has turned into a well of ideas for new bodies of work. Some of these have turned so big that I started making murals as well; I always loved the idea of my paintings acting as portals of energy that bring light into interior spaces but having them scale up and share the light with an entire community. Wow. I hope to do more of that.
I’m learning that the things I have to say are valuable and that they are okay to share so the networking is moving along finally! Through my young students, I’m encouraged to stay curious, to make weird things, and to make up stories for them. To appreciate the unknown and the silliness when I forget. In conversations with adult students, I have learned that the things I thought were common practice, like looking at the world with wonder, trying different perspectives, and finding unlimited ways to express your thoughts, are not so common. That just like I’m afraid to fail in the world of networking and business, they are afraid of being creative and seeing things differently. So I’m starting a creative thinking program called RIPPLE to help people understand that creativity doesn’t have to be scary and that it’s actually a very fun life choice.
Here’s where I am right now. It’s not where I want to be yet, but I’m consciously choosing to appreciate and value every step of the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
NOPE. Moving here was a whole thing. Finding dollars in Venezuela has always been a struggle, now more than ever, but at that time, we had this CADIVI thing – it doesn’t exist anymore- it allowed you to buy dollars at fair value to travel, and in the case of students, you could buy them to pay for specific careers. Art was not one of them. My parents worked a lot to get me where I am. Halfway through college, it got tough. I was figuring out ways to earn money, and my dad ended up getting a loan back home to pay for my school – I’m thrilled to say I paid the loan completely this year! And I’m so very grateful to my dad for trying so hard.- Then, it was the fun fact of finding a job that would sponsor my visa after graduation, all international students know the pain. Paperwork has been a constant battle. I’m only now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel *knock on wood*.
But I would say my biggest struggle was myself. I’m a huge procrastinator; I joke and say, “Pressure creates diamonds,” because I know I’m good and can do it, I will leave even the easiest tasks to the very last minute. It always works out against a deadline. But a big part of being an artist is self-discipline and constantly working on your art; by taking on teaching to sustain me, my energy went in that direction, and I let my art go for a long time. I’m taking it back now because even though I really like teaching and love seeing that ‘aha’ moment on my student’s faces, I’m happiest while painting and sharing my art with others. Learning to choose myself, taking a moment to step back and see the big picture, appreciating myself and what I’m capable of have been my biggest lessons this last year and a half.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an artist and educator. I value both professions equally, and they feed on each other. I’m a better teacher because I believe in exploration as the basis for creative thinking due to my artistic practice and I’m a better artist because I see so many children working so hard to create their artwork and then giving the most interesting explanations without a care in the world. It inspires me to do the same; teaching adults has also helped in a different way in having deeper conversations, increasing that awareness that children are not the only ones learning and that we are all trying our best to navigate this world. My art focuses on abstract painting creating mental landscapes. I have a hectic mind that doesn’t believe in shutting off; this results in energy build-ups that find their release in my marks. I like to think that my paintings/drawings become portals of some sort, each holding whirlwinds of energy that could take you to different places depending on your mindset at any given time. I think this very energy sets me apart. It’s the possibilities that come with transmutation; I fully believe my art is alive, as crazy as it sounds.
As for what am I the most proud of? Right now, I have two things:
1. My creative thinking program. The fact that I did it, that I used personal knowledge and experiences, and that I continue to research to improve it. It’s tangible proof of everything I have learned from both practices these last few years, plus it is really fun to lead the individual workshops and the group sessions.
2. The mural I painted with Elevate Foundation in March. It is my biggest painting to date, a complete challenge in all areas of materials, technique, and time management. I loved every second of it and can’t wait to make more giants like it!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is being proud of who you are and what you are doing. If you are not, then it’s actively making choices that will fill your heart; it’s through little decisions every day that we get to that one big goal. And when you didn’t make the right choice, then success looks like compassion. Be kind to yourself in acknowledging you made a mistake or that you didn’t make the best move, and make a choice for the next one to be better.
I used to feel like I had so many things stuck inside of me, so much energy bursting to come out; it was so uncomfortable. But my sister told me that discomfort meant my body was ready to move on to other things. Was it terrifying? Yes. But I’m still doing it; I’m making choices by the hour and, to be honest, sometimes by the minute, and I’m still alive and the happiest I’ve been in forever.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alejandragotera.com/welcome
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alegotera.art/
