Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Reyes.
Hi Joy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Like most artists, at a young age, I always had a deep desire to create beautiful things and illustrate stories through my pictures. But as I got older, the ability to maintain passion while having support for the arts was not always a resource I was supplied with. Although my family has always been supportive of my dreams, and I shortly studied various mediums in high school, attending an underfunded school created a lot left to be desired, and the idea that you could make a career out of making beautiful art was shown to be unrealistic for me. So, I didn’t. Shying away from that, and In between life, from becoming a mother and then deciding not to continue my college education due to unforeseen harsh circumstances, I was left with a taste in my mouth that craved something deeper for myself. Like from a childhood memory, similar to the phenomenon of having your first taste of icing on your birthday cake, I remembered my dream to create and decided I would do whatever it takes to taste that. I began by doing my research as all beginners do and zoned in on creating a plan for what medium I wanted to immerse myself in. I had continuously dabbled in painting for the past 6 years and felt pulled to pursue it fully. And after multiple shows and months and months of vulnerability in creating, I found myself with the interesting opportunity to take my art to the next level. Although I am still early on in my career as a full-time artist, I am now gallery represented by Daisha Board Gallery, the first Black, women-owned gallery in Dallas. Having someone step into faith and see your potential and passion, especially so soon, is such a beautiful and validating feeling, and I am grateful for every opportunity that continues to open up to me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
So far, it’s been a smooth road, although navigating the field can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, it has still been such a beautiful thing to experience in real-time. Fortunately, I have met the most incredible individuals thus far, who have been nothing but supportive, encouraging, and patient with me while helping me figure out the right steps along the way. And because of that, I do believe having the right support system will always help you succeed because I’m experiencing that firsthand.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multidisciplinary artist who predominately works on semi-large/medium-scale mixed media paintings, as well as some glass and sculpting. My art heavily focuses on spirituality, religious ideals, and my Jewish/Mexican culture. It is also deeply influenced by the powerful WOC feminist movement that continues to uplift and support our communities. These consistent themes tie together through my use of subtle symbolism, mixed textures, and patterns that are paired with portraits. My pieces are usually highlighting individuals connected to cultural and socially important topics I believe my art has the power to address. Inspired by my vastly different cultures and life experiences, I create to invoke others to look beneath the surface and find a connection to their own life through my art. Through this, I have become known for creating pieces that feel highly personal to under-represented cultures and women, and have seen that I am creating dialogue on universally shared experiences that are not exclusive to just me.
What sets me apart from others?
I believe there are many talented artists with voices yet to be heard, and we each bring an important perspective to our field. I think there is enough room for all of us, and I hope I am set apart simply because of the visual stories I tell and that the work connects to all those it’s meant to connect with. I do believe my work is special, but I also believe all art can be special to the right person.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I love this question because both roles have played a huge part in my becoming an artist and having the opportunity to have a platform with it to be successful.
I’ll start by saying the role of “bad luck,” or things that didn’t work out in the way I thought I wanted, I’ve come to see as protection and redirection. My failures and losses have guided me to triumphs in ways I never could have dreamed of if I had been lucky in the things I once wanted. After leaving a hard situation, the courage I found from that to choose better for myself as well as my two young daughters fueled the fire inside of me to dare to dream and pursue my passion for art.
Now, Good luck played a role in guiding me to what was always aligned and meant for me. The moment I stepped out on faith and dared to believe in my craft, my passion, my dreams, and myself, I found doors opening so easily that there was no way I couldn’t see that the stars aligned perfectly with me. With how quickly things have come to fruition and continue to do so, I have heard the term you are so lucky, more times than I can count. Although there is still the “bad luck” no one saw beforehand, the failure and loss, and the hardships I still often deal with, the work I put in to get to the place of things aligning for me is truly preparation meeting opportunity. And that is what I believe good luck is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://daishaboardgallery.com/joy-reyes-in-the-garden-where-i-grow-2023/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyllreyes/
