Meet Vanessa Balleza | Freelance Illustrator/ Art Teacher/ Cultural Promoter

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

Hi Vanessa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For me was a very natural process. When I was a kid I use to make draws and sell them for coins at school or at home. Then when I grow up I keep drawing and doing illustrations my idea was to work as a cartoonist in a newspaper. That was my dream. But every time I find a job the newspaper closes for several reasons. So I start doing illustrations for Children’s books and teaching others how to create Art. And I love it.  And that is how a get into the freelance job that I am doing for several years. I do illustrations for Articles, Magazines, Children’s books, etc. Also, I teach Art to Kids and Adults. Sometimes, I still have the romantic dream to work in a newspaper or an company. To have all the benefits that the employer has. Freelance is hard work and you have to be all the time promoting yourself and doing networking… meeting other artist and people in the field that you want to be.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My Art is about my life and the way a see the world. My characters usually are children or animals living in a world where the real world and fantasy coexist together. It is very difficult for to me explain this in English. My art is about the wonders of childhood. I explore emotions and situations full of magic in our daily life. I try to capture that child we all have inside. I believe that my work is set me apart from others in the way a create colors and texture. I use mixed media for everything, I do paintings, illustrations, sculptures, and other media. And the atmosphere of my paintings is very unique because is a window to my world.
I get where I am with hard work… drawing every day… learning always about new things… and also with the help of others. I must thank all the people who believe in me, my teachers, my clients, friends, and family… I am so lucky to have people around me who push me and motivate me. The lesson that I learn is that art is the most beautiful and difficult thing to do and to live for. ( vivir de ello) And, I learn that the best way to create art is getting inspiration from your own life. That is how you become original because there is only one person like you.
I want the world knows me from my children’s book Canito and my paintings. Also, I will like that the world knows that you can be a woman, a mother, and an artist. That time is relative and the world is beautiful as you appreciate little things like butterflies and sunshine.

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.
Well. I am living now in Saint Cloud Florida It is a beautiful town near Orlando with parks and lakes. I will recommend visiting for a walk or kayaking in Lakefront Park or Ralph V. Chisholm Regional Park, also visit the main street of Saint Cloud to drink Coffee or eat, you can ride horses or take a trip in airboats. Also, the springs in Central Florida are beautiful. I recommend Kelly Park and Rock Springs. I really like camping and nature, so if you are my friend I will take you to camping near to a spring 😀

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout Patricia Kayser, autor en autism & music

Website: www.vanessaballeza.com

Instagram: @vanessaballezaa @canito_y_yo

Twitter: @vanessaballeza

Facebook: vanessa balleza

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VanessaBalleza

Other: google Vanessa Balleza

Image Credits
All the pictures are mine Vanessa Balleza The portrait picture was taken for Maura Morandi