Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Glorissa Rodriguez-corona. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Glorissa, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Over the years I think I have been doing an ok job at sticking to my own ideals and style and way I do things. I am not saying this as a negative thing but, I know it’s easier to make art/design based on what the people and audience want to see, relatable things based on mood, culture, music, etc. and it’s always 100% guaranteed to work but, I have always been stubborn and been trying to stick to my own background, things that spark interest and inspiration. So yeah, I guess I have learned to keep being me no matter how many times you get a ” no ” for an answer, I always get back up because I know someone somewhere out there will like and appreciate my art.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I first picked up a pencil or a brush at the age of 4 at my next door neighbor’s house. She took care of me while my mom was at work and she also happened to be an art teacher who taught classes every week. We did a lot of art together and I definitely experimented a lot with different mediums. It was my happy place. I was there for a while and actually had my first group art show at age 5 along with the other kids <3
I was always curious and developed a thing for editing or ” personalizing ” to my own liking. Me and my friends would mess around with Windows Movie Maker in middle school and that’s when AMV’s were a big thing and thanks to that I was able to get into editing Youtube videos on my channel later on!
Moving on to highschool I was still painting and drawing, but it also awaken my interest in photography. While I was practicing taking photos of literally everything, it all came down to one niche, portraits. I taught myself what I wanted to learn to do on Photoshop like editing surreal and fantastical elements, and just coming up with conceptual art in the photo medium. I got my first “pro” camera at age 18. I got a Canon Rebel T3 and that camera took me places I never thought it would. I used it for almost 8 years but hey, the ” best ” camera out there is literally the one you got in your hands right now. Use it wisely !
After so many events, portraits, art shows and adventures doing photogaphy, I picked up digital art around 5 years ago and started taking it seriously about 3 years ago. It’s definitely a challenge and who knows, maybe one day i’ll pick up photography. One thing I have always kept going no matter what, are the themes and inspirations behind all my work. Music, Video games and life experiences. I guess that is alway the way of the artist?
One of my proudest moments to date is being able to make an illustrated book with an amazing friend of mine Emma Reen. I illustrated a book she wrote that is part of her series ” Immortal Essence ” that you can now buy on Barnes n Noble online so Check it out if you can!
I also have an online print shop on INPRNT dot com if you wanna buy some of my pieces (:
What am I up to these days ? After so many challenges and personal growth, I have decided to continue working on a brand new series on the digital medium that randomly sparked my interest while playing one of my current favorite video games, Black Myth: Wukong <3 Stay tuned!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Whatever picks your interest, don’t wait for the world to teach you, teach yourself because you’re the only one who speaks your own language. Never stop putting your work out there. Keep your old drawings, paintings, sketches with you. Film your process ! take pictures, document everything. It’s the only proof you have of ever knowing you actually improved.
If needed, refine your people skills, you never know who you’ll end up interacting with who would actually like to buy your piece of art. Maybe you’ll end up collaborating later.
Always try to make connections even if you think you’re in the ” wrong place ” You’re not if you always take a small piece of it with you.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
It’s been hard to get back on the grind lately. Sometimes you might feel like you have the time to make art but the motivation or drive is not there. Sometimes the energy is not there. And then you feel like you’re wasting your time. Sometimes it’s hard to reflect what’s going in your head onto paper or screen. So yes. I am working on channeling or focusing my creativity back to where it once was.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glorissarodriguez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tskullkid/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TSkullkid
- Other: Buy Prints: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/tskullkid/
Buy Coloring Sheets and wallpapers: https://ko-fi.com/tskullkid/shop
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
