We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Sofia Santizo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea Sofia below.
Andrea Sofia, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
This question really struck a chord with me. When I started IXIQ it was a passion project, I didn’t have my babies yet so I could pour so much of my time and creativity into my practice. Flash forward six years later, I now have two kids and I am also their primary caregiver, so that creativity and access to time and space has really shifted. I am fortunate to have a home where I can create in a space and shut the door so that my designs don’t find their way into tiny hands. I also find that using my design skills and fine art background to stay creative in other ways that don’t always involve making sculpture and jewelry has helped me keep my creativity alive, through digital drawings, collage, and painting digitally.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a multidisciplinary artist and designer, as well as a doula. I focus primarily on custom jewelry and sculptures that center my Guatemalan and Mayan ancestry. Through the use of cultural signifiers I create pieces that are easily wearable and allow the wearer to have a little bit of Central Abyayala with them. I am also an active doula in LA . I serve the Antelope Valley area but also other parts of northern Los Angeles, my passion is to providing culturally sound care and information in order for individuals to make informed decisions regarding their pregnancy and care options.
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?
I think the top three things that really impacted my journey are: My tenacity, I refuse to give up even when life happens and I get knocked down. My love of research and knowledge, this has helped me make informed choices in all aspects of my life I love learning new things and researching options. Lastly my love of art, creativity really gives you an edge when it comes to not only making but also it is one of the specialties that help you develop critical thinking skills that serve me in so many ways.
My advice for anyone who is early on in their journey is to not be afraid to try new things and take chances, always with a well informed foundation and a good amount of research.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
This has been a skill that I have struggled with and am still learning to clean into, but what I have learned is to take a beat. Take a moment when it feels like life is getting on top of you.
It’s ok to walk away from a project for a bit and get back to it once you’ve calmed down. Sometimes coming back offers a fresh perspective and that can lead to solutions and better outcomes.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Original image used in self portrait collage taken by Yaquelin Hernandez.
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