We caught up with the brilliant and insightful ANGELA BOLAÑOS a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
ANGELA, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from generally living in a state of gratefulness. As I keep growing into my life and learning how tough the road can get, I am constantly reminded, through my personal relationships and just being part of a wonderful community, how each and everyone of us is constantly supported and helped by people who often have nothing to gain by doing so, human generosity feeds my optimism.
I don’t believe in blind optimism, which can be toxic and harmful to those going through a difficult time. But, I think being the voice that finds positive alternative solutions to current challenges alleviates some of the stress that comes with every day struggles.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a visual artist, jewelry designer and arts educator. I am most excited at the opportunity to continue telling stories through the work I create and fostering a dialogue about topics that are important to me. I am a believer in the power of art as a tool for interaction and connection. That extends to the wearable art I design and my experiences as an art educator, I am an advocate for arts education across generations and abilities. My jewelry designs are an extension of my artwork and my vision as an artist. Wearable art is such a great way to define your individuality and communicate visually what we are about and how we see ourselves. All this multidisciplinary art-making keeps me busy and excited to continue exploring all the possible ways to express myself creatively, which is why, I am very appreciative when an opportunity to share my work with a large community comes by. I was recently invited to contribute one of my largest pieces to “Visions from Inside the Walls: Coral Gables Artists Today” an exhibition curated by Gabriela Fernandez. It is currently on view at Coral Gables Museum until October, 2024.
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?
Resilience, redirecting my energy and patience have been qualities that I have had to cultivate throughout my journey that I have found have affected my life the most, in a positive way. At any point in life, I think it is incredibly important to follow your instinct and learn from every experience, to be quick to forgive yourself and others is probably one of the most important qualities to nurture.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking to make connections with communities and businesses that support artists. My ideal collaborators are those who respect the artists creative process and appreciate all the time we as creatives invest in our work.
I want to continue showcasing my work as a visual artist and creating opportunities for people to acquire both my artworks and my wearable art. I am also open to selected commissioned work and site-specific installations.
You can connect with me by emailing me at info@angelabolanos.org or DM at @_angela_bolanos_ via Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://angelabolanos.com
- Instagram: @_angela_bolanos
Image Credits
Image of myself (Credit: David Gary Lloyd)
Image of artwork and jewelry (Credit: Angela Bolaños)
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