Betesha Bloise Ponciano shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Betesha, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
To be proactive and intentional in expanding into my goals. I think it’s sometimes easy to stay within the comfort zones of our routines, and hole up in the familiarity of the strategies that have worked for us before and lull ourselves into a sort of stagnancy. To hope for big goals in our personal or professional lives, without truly evaluating and acting on the steps that can take us there.
In the past year, I’ve come to realize how my fear of venturing outside those bounds was impeding my growth and preventing me from seeing the full extent of my capabilities. In this sense, I feel that I am being called to continue to face new uncertainties with courage and intentionality, to see what else the future holds.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a multidisciplinary creative–but above all, I am an art lover in all its facets.
Working between illustration, graphic design and fine arts, my current practice spans branding, conceptual illustration and painting. Over the years, what began as a natural inclination toward drawing evolved into a deeper exploration of what visual communication has to offer. Through my studies and work, I’ve discovered the world of visual identities, editorial illustrations and motion.
Working both as an in-house and freelance designer, I’ve gotten insights into the fast paced reality of design work and the invigorating challenge of working with an array of different clients. Now, as I near the end of my Illustration BFA with a minor in Graphic Design, I’m looking forward to expanding my horizons through projects that merge storytelling, visual systems, and my ongoing drawing and painting practice.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Moving abroad to New York on my own to pursue my studies at Parsons The School of Design meant the complete upheaval of the world I’d known. Suddenly pungled into a new environment, I was faced with the need to recontextualize myself and personal beliefs in light of the new challenges that presented themselves.
It meant learning to take care of myself without the presence of family, studying in a second language, and navigating a demanding creative program, but above all challenging my limiting beliefs. By proactively serving my new peers as an orientation leader, and participating in student-led organizations, I realized my ability to serve and contribute to a community larger than myself. They continue to remind me, as I network and advocate for my goals, that leaning into responsibility and connection can open doors I never expected.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being seen has often held back my willingness to put myself out there. Like many, shyness and fear of judgement influenced how I approached my work, opportunities, and self-concept. Yet overcoming fear is all about recognition, and choosing to act inspite of it. It’s so easy to get caught in the “what will they think?”, that we forget to ask what we think of our work. As my passion for my work grows and my goals become clearer, I’m learning to build confidence by collecting proof, taking on design roles, sharing my work publicly, or connecting with people I once would’ve been too nervous to approach.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
That we are ongoing projects, whose actions, thoughts and reactions can be molded through conscious choice. While difficult, it’s this proactive approach that leads us down a path of becoming who we want to be. This belief informs my personal life as much as my creative practice. Change isn’t linear, but piece by piece and choice by choice, we have the ability to steer ourselves in the direction we envision.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop reacting with doubt instead of curiosity when new opportunities arise. Going back to the idea of the comfort zone, I’ve often met proposals to partake in projects out of my immediate experience with apprehension. Even if it had to do with skills I knew I had but hadn’t shared with the world, I’d often shut myself out of opportunities without giving myself a change to see what I had to offer. So now, I’m focusing on embracing possibility, trusting my abilities, and allowing room for the good things that can come from saying yes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beteshabloiseart.com
- Instagram: @bybetesha @beteshabloiseart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betesha-bloise-ponciano-a89174265
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