Meet Maria Alejandra Quintanilla | Transdisciplinary Auteur
We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Alejandra Quintanilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Maria Alejandra, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve embraced the notion that balance is constantly in flux, living and breathing. Even in moments of stillness, balance is found through awareness and flexibility. The older I am, the more I realize I must invest as much (if not more) love, space, and encouragement in myself as I do in my duties and responsibilities to others. I thrive by nurturing my mind and body with a morning walk, meditation, stretching, reading, writing, and a whole foods plant-based diet. I am at my best when I am not in a rush and trust the flow of living. I know healing when I carve out deep pockets of emptiness, of doing nothing. I find balance when I laugh in surplus, when I can celebrate amongst trusted friends, and when I am found lost doing what I love, whether in intentional solitude or community. I have realized my balance is unearthed when I prioritize my creative life. I am stronger and softer when I hear my instinctual voice over the noise of too much information. This way of living requires clear boundaries and learning to mother myself, which has been difficult for me in the past as I do not wish to disappoint people (eldest child syndrome). Still, boundaries help me clarify what I do and do not want to invest my time and attention to.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others and what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What lessons have you learned along the way? What do you want the world to know about you, your brand, and your story?
One of the parts of my creative expression I am proud of is my ability to dive into a feeling. Through creation, I understand myself and the world better and give myself unreservedly to the moment. I’m the kind of being who prefers to listen over speaking. Still, singing gives me the agency to express my deepest feelings and observations of the world, even the messy and wordless kind. Art can come from any experience, mistake, or otherwise. We have the power to transform any moment.
My debut solo project, Irrefragible Laws (which took a village of the most precious and talented people I know to complete), was initially recorded in one hour at the end of a 9-hour recording session for another project. When I heard it all back some weeks later, I was convinced I could not produce an album with the vocals I recorded. I felt quite defeated, but my partner encouraged me to listen again. I spent the next few years capturing field recordings, creating a five-part fugue from one vocal take, playing/recording other instruments, and producing a companion art book, all things I had never done before, yet became integral to the fruition of this beautiful transdisciplinary project. I feel immensely privileged and strengthened by this journey. For having done it alongside beautiful artists, I love and respect.
To answer your questions about how I got where I am and the challenges and lessons that have come into my life as a guide and teacher, I feel that perspective plays a big part in our reality. I could share a laundry list of things I’ve been through that were unjust, that marked me, that shaped me into someone afraid, non-confrontational, unsure of myself, my value, and my gifts. It may take time, but I try to come to these experiences with enough distance to gain a pearl of wisdom and then release the situation’s power over me. This may sound simple, but it’s a philosophy I am always working to be connected to. You know the saying, “We are our own worst critic.” I am sometimes appalled by what I have said about myself in dark moments. We are as permeable as water because we are, so we cannot denigrate ourselves if we want to move forward, overcome, and thrive. I’ve begun this ritual of speaking love over myself and my loved ones before bed every night. It’s a little thing, but I know the waves one tiny ripple can create.
The last thing I would like to share about my story is that I am one of many artist entrepreneurs who wear many hats for the sanctity of their art and vision. The industry has changed so much, and arts funding in Florida has been devastatingly hit recently. Please support the local artists and venues you know and love. And not just the established names but the up-and-coming ones. Dream, start a conversation, collaborate, and create. You won’t find Irrefragible Laws on streaming platforms any time soon. Go to bandcamp.com to support this work’s hand-made, heart-filled tears and joy, and check out my other two projects, Breathing Taiwan and Distance Chemistry, with more exciting projects coming out very soon.
One of the parts of my creative expression I am proud of is my ability to dive into a feeling. Through creation, I understand myself and the world better and give myself unreservedly to the moment. I’m the kind of being who prefers to listen over speaking. Still, singing gives me the agency to express my deepest feelings and observations of the world, even the messy and wordless kind. Art can come from any experience, mistake, or otherwise. We have the power to transform any moment.
My debut solo project, Irrefragible Laws (which took a village of the most precious and talented people I know to complete), was initially recorded in one hour at the end of a 9-hour recording session for another project. When I heard it all back some weeks later, I was convinced I could not produce an album with the vocals I recorded. I felt quite defeated, but my partner encouraged me to listen again. I spent the next few years capturing field recordings, creating a five-part fugue from one vocal take, playing/recording other instruments, and producing a companion art book, all things I had never done before, yet became integral to the fruition of this beautiful transdisciplinary project. I feel immensely privileged and strengthened by this journey. For having done it alongside beautiful artists, I love and respect.
To answer your questions about how I got where I am and the challenges and lessons that have come into my life as a guide and teacher, I feel that perspective plays a big part in our reality. I could share a laundry list of things I’ve been through that were unjust, that marked me, that shaped me into someone afraid, non-confrontational, unsure of myself, my value, and my gifts. It may take time, but I try to come to these experiences with enough distance to gain a pearl of wisdom and then release the situation’s power over me. This may sound simple, but it’s a philosophy I am always working to be connected to. You know the saying, “We are our own worst critic.” I am sometimes appalled by what I have said about myself in dark moments. We are as permeable as water because we are, so we cannot denigrate ourselves if we want to move forward, overcome, and thrive. I’ve begun this ritual of speaking love over myself and my loved ones before bed every night. It’s a little thing, but I know the waves one tiny ripple can create.
The last thing I would like to share about my story is that I am one of many artist entrepreneurs who wear many hats for the sanctity of their art and vision. The industry has changed so much, and arts funding in Florida has been devastatingly hit recently. Please support the local artists and venues you know and love. And not just the established names but the up-and-coming ones. Dream, start a conversation, collaborate, and create. You won’t find Irrefragible Laws on streaming platforms any time soon. Go to bandcamp.com to support this work’s hand-made, heart-filled tears and joy, and check out my other two projects, Breathing Taiwan and Distance Chemistry, with more exciting projects coming out very soon.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One, must visit Love Life Café, L’Artisane Bakery, and Beehive Juice Bar for plant-based eats in any order at any time. Two, must spend an early morning at Miami Beach. Go before 8 am and bask in healthy-for-you sunrays and live ocean soundtrack. Three, go to Books & Books and get lost, flipping through their selection. Four, go to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for outdoor beauty (I love their butterfly garden). Five, go to an art gallery or museum-like ICA Miami. Six, support live music by attending a live Jazz Encounters concert at WDNA and hearing live Cuban music at Café La Trova. Did I mention supporting local artists and venues? Do that.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Many people have touched my life in a significant way, but there is one person who has nurtured my spirit in ways I didn’t even know I needed. I have fought doubt and pain in life, yet my partner Renato has always believed in me and my potential. I could share many stories, but I will preserve most of them for our private lives. I will share one special gift he gave me in hopes that one of you will find magic and medicine in it. Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ book “Women Who Run with the Wolves” has been a treasure I have returned to many times. In its pages lies poetry that honors the soul and has taught me much about myself and the journey. May it inspire and enrich yours.
Website: https://mariaalejandraquintanilla.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaqauteur/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariaqauteur
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wjproductionsllc
Other: https://linktr.ee/mariaqauteur
https://wjproductionsllc.bandcamp.com
Image Credits
Pedro Marnoto, Sammy Yonjai Sohn, Savannah Methner
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
