We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teresa Abboud a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Teresa, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Hello, My name is Teresa Abboud, I believe I am optimistic, it could be a trade of my character, and also circumstances that made me this way. Growing up in Lebanon in times of war, chaos and political problems, my parents always found a way to keep us safe. And even in that hard time we could find time to laugh and play. Although it was tough times,I always felt the need to keep people around me happy, or at least see the bright side of things. I believe that optimism keeps us positive, and hopeful to move forward in life. And since I chose to become an illustrator, and painter I always believed that I still hold the responsibility as an artist to be optimistic through my paintings, the colors I use, and the message hidden in every story I paint. Moving to Atlanta 10 years ago, I still have the same mission to project optimism , talking about diversity, equity and inclusion through my diverse art projects are ways for me to accept each other more in this cosmopolitan city.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My story from my professional artistic career, aliegns with my personal story, since art is a reflection of my perception of things I live and feel. I founded my company Teresa Afternoon in Atlanta in 2018 after I created my first few events in art markets and festivals and sold most of my pieces. My focus was on creating art over the theme of coffee, and showing through every piece that coffee is one of the things that unit us from wherever origin and ethnnicity we come from. From one theme to the other my art remains focused on the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion. Growing up in Lebanon, and now living in Atlanta, a place I call home, I had the privilege to meet many people from around the world. I found it easy to connect with many nationalities. It still amaze me to find common things between us, regardless of the differences in religions and ethnicities. Going back to the the theme of optimism, it is a choice to always find the things that connects us rather than focus on the opposite. From illustrating kids book, to creating prints, painting on canvas, making murals is becoming one of my major occupation.
Currently I am working on a 1850 sqf wall in Downtown Laurenceville, commissioned y the city Art Commity.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
It is always hard to answer this question since what impacts me are intangible things, and I am always on a continuous learning track that move me forward in my career and myself. But most importantly is the ambition within me that pushes me forward everyday reminding me to do better. Reinventing yourself is also a skill as a creative person that is needed in my journey, looking at things from different perspective without coping someone. And last thing is to accept positive and negative criticism objectively, As an advice I would give for my reader or listener, don’t lose a chance to apply to any competition or projects that interests you, there is always a chance that the opportunity will be offered to you.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Collaboration is key to success, wether it is on a personal or professional level. I love to work with NGOs, and organizations that have a mission to serve the society. Since I established Teresa Afternoon, I made several important collaborations with Cultural centers, Governments projects, non governmental organizations, schools, local businesses and universities.
Art collaboration has always a bigger impact on the society we live in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.teresaafternoon.com
- Instagram: @teresa_afternoon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeresaAfternoon
- Linkedin: Teresa Abboud
