Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa B. Paba.
Hi Luisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Bogota, Colombia. Since I was a kid, I felt identified with art; I remember loving to create, paint, make collages, and do anything related to art. A graphic design class in school confirmed my love for creating and painting.
I went to college to pursue a degree in industrial design. Although It was somehow related to the creative process, it didn’t end up being what I was hoping for, so I decided not to continue. Shortly after I left college, my daughter was born and she turned into my inspiration muse. I started to create portraits of her using different media, until I experimented with watercolor and found my real passion. It’s been eight years since I started my watercolor journey.
I came to the United States 6 years ago to build a better life for my family and me. Although I lived in Miami and Houston for some time, it didn’t take long before I came to Austin and fell completely in love with it. The city, its nature, the people and their “keep It weird” mentality made me feel right at home. It felt like moving here was the right decision for our family. I had finally found a place where art was truly appreciated and I was able to start my business and open my Etsy store.
I started portraying families, and although I liked it. I felt that it was not good enough. I wanted to put my creativity to work.
I then started experimenting with pressed flowers and mixing them with watercolor and ink. I fell in love! My husband helped me build a press and my daughter carried a basket with her everywhere she went to collect flowers and leaves for me.
That’s when Lu.b.paba holistic art was born, inspired by my deep connection with nature.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in Pitetschhouse, an event created to showcase emerging artists and musicians in Austin. It was amazing how receptive people were to my art. It was also lovely to meet the community of talented artists with their kindness and good vibes.
Trying to make a living from art is a long journey, but the important thing is to enjoy the road and believe in your passion and talent! Don’t give up.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the path of making art, there are many challenges, but in my journey, three have stood out.
1. Finding the balance between my personal life, being a mother, and being consistent with my art. This is one aspect that has led me to experiment with methods to achieve balance; I’m still working on it.
2. Being a Latina immigrant, in the beginning, it was a significant change for me; the language and culture were very different and that represented a challenge in itself. Thankfully, people in Austin are so friendly that they make you feel comfortable, and it makes me proud to be part of the Latino artists’ community.
3. The biggest challenge is fighting your own fear, worry, and lack of self-confidence. When I started working on myself, acknowledging my negative thoughts and transforming them into positive thoughts, believing in myself, and feeling proud of who I am and what I do, everything flowed positively; I call it connecting with the cosmos.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My art is a mixture of watercolor, ink, and pressed flowers. I do portraits for families and pets, also part of graphic design.
But now my focus is the connection with the cosmo. So I create lunar calendars, cards to make rituals according to the phase of the moon. also cards and with phrases about the law of attraction and how to empower oneself.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One of my favorite books is “Women Who Run with the Wolves” Mi favorite podcast is “sendero”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://etsy.me/3Eej32B
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lu.b.paba/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086743246276
- Other: https://www.behance.net/lubpaba
Image Credits
Juan Sebastián Sánchez
