Today we’d like to introduce you to Soledad Fernandez-Whitechurch.
Hi Soledad, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was raised between Argentina, Paraguay, and the US. I have always been interested in art, which was my favorite school subject. I was destined for it. My family has many artists, and I am fortunate that my mom is a fantastic artist who attended an art studio alongside other artists who worked in various disciplines. Even though it was a studio for adults, I was allowed to go there from age eight. I was exposed to many styles and vibrant conversations about art, composition, color, line, and art history, which was hugely formative. It was a proper education; I was even allowed to attend the nude figure drawing sessions! I did not pursue fine arts as a college major. I was accepted into Tufts’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Part of the reason was that I wanted to be a full-time artist, so I studied psychology instead. I am glad I did because it prepared me to work in offices and as a nonprofit fundraiser, and that experience was precious when I decided to switch to a full-time art career. In 2019, I had a health scare that thankfully turned out to be nothing, but it made me question what I was doing with my time and how I was spending my days. I decided to take a leap and start working as an artist. I was unsure what to expect, but I always had an open curiosity and decided to see what would happen.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
No artist can claim their career is a smooth road; the same goes for any business owner. Being a full-time artist is 100% a business. The road has been challenging at times but always very rewarding. The biggest struggle is balancing creative practice with the business side of my operation. There’s this myth that working with artists is difficult. That is not true at all, at least not for me, and I work very hard to ensure that my clients have a smooth, seamless, and positive experience.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for my giant murals in Austin. I love to work with bright colors and create compositions that tell a story- for a brand, a new building, or a personal creative project. I want to create art that makes people happy when they look at it. Art is how I share my sense of optimism with the world, which is always at the forefront of my creations.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the kindness and sense of togetherness that makes Austin unique. We live in a city where people are as kind as they are creative, and it’s constantly changing and ever-evolving, but it has never felt any less special. There’s not anything significant that I don’t like about our city. Sometimes, I am sad when old bars or businesses close, but change excites Austin, so I have learned to embrace it and go with the flow. Change is always present, and you must be able to change and adapt so your work can grow and evolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.solepaints.com
- Instagram: @solepaints
Image Credits
Likeness Studio, Miraj Mehta
