Meet Paloma Dueñas | Multidisciplinary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paloma Dueñas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paloma, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking has had a huge role in my career. As a self employed multidisciplinary artist, I get pulled in many different directions all the time as I wear many different hats throughout my days. I had to take chances into becoming the kind of artist that I have become, because judgement of how much people can handle is a very personal opinion. We are all different and the beauty in that is, that what sounds great and accomodate me might be the complete opposite for you and that is OK. Taking risks and loosing, knowing that I can afford to do that, just because I wanted to explore that route and then celebrate my freedom to choose. Taking the risk of being an artist and allow yourself to be abundant, expressive and free and focus on what this lifestyle brings you without hearing the negative voices doubt you. Taking the risk of doing certain events, or collaborations, do music, art, painting, drawing, art, doing it all and allowing creativity and magic to manifest! Taking the risk to think this way!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I went to one of the best music schools there is so leaving my country and being able to gradute with honors was a huge success alone. That experience opened other channels of creativity and I started doing photography and drawing. In 2006 I had my first solo art show which started my career as a visual artist while working in the music therapy and teaching fields. I had no idea that years later all of these expressions will complete my diversity as a multidisciplinary artist. In 2010 I got incorporated, also not knowing what that would mean for me 10 years later. Through all these years, life has taken its course, I have had many highs and lows in my personal life that also reflected in my artwork and teachings. Today, I can say I feel confident with everything I do. I continue to serve the children with and without disabilities that I had devoted my practice for all these years and at the same time expanded my horizons, abilities and income into many other ways of creative expression and expansion. I learned to follow my heart and not listen to the voices requesting my focus on only one thing. Being so diverse and flexible has allowed me to have different sources of income, which as an artist is great since its seldom consistent as we work through flowing and slow seasons. It has allowed me to choose what to invest my time and energy on, while doing all different things that I Love. I have learned the best ways to handle my own business without being able to compare myself to anybody and create a brand that now is everythhing to me. Today I have 20 years of experience in my fields and feel confident to create new experiences and programming relevant to what will be this new world we need to create after 2020, for ourselves and the future generations.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Miami beach to enjoy the sunshine, drive around south beach and maybe visit one of the cool hotels in the area. Take a ride to the streets in the neighborhoods of: Little Havana and stop at one of the bakeries for cuban coffee and pastelito, Take a walk to see my art at one of my retailers in Calle 8 called Kcull. Visit the other store in the area of Coconut Grove, also check my art. Go to Wynwood and check out the art in those streets and eat at one of the cool spots in the area (there are so many there). I would take them to the Pamm Museum, Frost Museum, ICA museum or some cool art spot happening around (there is always something going on). And I would take them to a local spot with live music where all the talented miami artist community gather and listen to collegues play.

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?
All the collaborators who believed in me and allow my self expression as a multidisciplinary artist to shine through. Enriching my life and theirs.

Website: www.palomarts.com
Instagram: @palomartstore / @ohmsessions / @brasoulmusicofficial
Linkedin: Paloma Duenas
Twitter: www.twitter.com/palomartsinc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/palomaduenas