Meet Wendy Villa | Artist

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

Hi Wendy, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Thank you!” I repeat this often throughout the day. I am not a religious person or deeply spiritual. However, I find myself counting my blessings often and with conviction. I am grateful for having the opportunity to share my work with other people. Even when I am having a bad day in my studio, I find myself saying “thanks” for having learned a lesson. When I am tired, I am thankful that I am doing something I am passionate about. So if you asked me who am I thankful to, the answer is multilayered: God, the Universe, my supportive family, my newly found artistic friends, and a little bit of good fortune.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a work in progress. Although I have always been a creative person and I have dabbled in many artistic mediums, I found resin art in the summer of 2021. Up to the age of 18, I lived fifteen minutes from the Pacific Ocean in Lima, Peru. This had a huge impact on my art, as I am mostly inspired by nature and the ocean. I am especially proud of the progress I have made in such a relatively short amount of time. I replicate ocean waves in my art, and they are beautiful! Recently, I have incorporated gold leaf into my work, which brings me back to projects I did with my grandma as a child. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that my journey should not be compared to that of others. In the era of social media, it is easy to compare ourselves to other artists with more followers, or more content. However, my journey is one that I am enjoying and I have my own timeline. I will continue to create functional art that brings a smile to my customers, and brightens their homes.

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?
So much to do and so little time! My ideal itinerary would have a combination of outdoor and indoor activities, some naps, and downtime reading or journaling. I would start by going to Hoboken, NJ, renting a bike and taking a ride down the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, we would stop by one of the piers with a gorgeous view of Manhattan, and enjoy a drink. I would go hiking in Harriman State Park, NY, starting by Lake Skannatati and doing a loop that lasts just 2-3 hours. This will leave us with enough energy to still go kayaking! On another day we would take a walk downtown Ridgewood, NJ and eat at one of the many restaurants in the area (depending on the mood). Lastly I would head to New Hope, PA, right across the Delaware River and enjoy some eclectic shopping and have a river side dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this to the creative females in my family. Both my grandmas and my mother are/were very creative and influential. My paternal grandmother, Amanda, would take me as a child to take art and baking classes with her. We enhanced mirror frames with gold leaf and decorated cakes. These are some of my most precious memories. My maternal grandma, Gloria, and my mother, Slubia, are seamstresses by trade. From them I learned to sew, knit, and crochet. My mother would also make dolls and take me to art stores as a child, which opened my eyes to so many artistic possibilities. I would not be the person I am today without them.

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