Inspiring Stories Series - Canvas Rebel Interview

Hi Victoria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From a young age, I was always creating—whether molding animals out of clay, drawing imaginary worlds, crocheting hats and scarves for my dolls, or designing my own clothes in high school. My hands needed to be busy, always immersed in some form of creative expression. College marked a turning point where I began to focus more seriously on art, especially painting. My painting professor recognized my dedication, and in my last semester, I served as an unofficial TA to the freshman painters. Despite my passion, the concept of being an artist was still nebulous to me, with no clear path laid out. After graduating with a BFA in painting, I spent a transformative summer in France, including a month at the traditional painting atelier, Ecole Albert Defois, in the Loire Valley. There, I realized formal painting wasn’t for me, and I spent most of my time riding a bike, photographing, and painting small watercolor studies of the countryside. This experience ignited my love for using the landscape as inspiration.
Returning to my hometown in Houston, I had to figure things out. I worked at a contemporary art gallery, learning the behind-the-scenes of the art business. Shortly after, I became a studio assistant for several artists and worked at a non-profit art center. These experiences taught me how to navigate studio work and the business aspects of being a professional artist. Read More