Daniela: Memphis is such a diverse place, and being able to represent my roots and background in my work fuels my creativity. Whether\u2026 through painting, textiles, or ceramics, my work uses symbolism and vibrant colors that I feel represent my Mexican roots. Elements like the sun, nopales, La Muerte, and scorpions often appear in my work, each translated into various mediums to celebrate and honor my cultural background. The inspiration I draw from my community\u2014whether it’s through music, food, or art\u2014provides a constant spark of motivation for me to create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: Share a story about a memorable experience or collaboration you\u2019ve had with other Memphis-based artists or entrepreneurs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniela: Last\u2026summer, my friend Cesar B Diaz (@kid_mestizo) curated an art show called \u201cConstrucci\u00f3n: Una Exposici\u00f3n Colectiva.\u201d It was an art show that was truly eye-opening; it highlighted themes of migration and dignity. \u201cFrom an anthology perspective, each migrant seeks to build a future, primarily striving for a “dignified” existence for themselves and their families, without forgetting that in order to establish themselves in another country, they had to leave everything behind and start from scratch.\u201d A story many of us are very familiar with. As a participating artist in the show, I was able to communicate with people within my community who were able to connect with my work \u2013 people who felt what I felt. [In] doing so, I was overcome by many emotions because I\u2019ve never connected with anyone on such a deep level! After that show, I was just hit with a lot of inspiration and drive to keep pushing forward and to keep creating because that made me feel good, not only about my work but also the moments I created with people through my work. The show was a success, and I’m glad I was able to form bonds and friendships within! And I\u2019m glad [to] this day we are all pushing forth in our artistic journeys together! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: In what ways has the Memphis community supported or shaped your journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniela: Being able to surround myself with creative people\u2026 has been an essential key [to] growing as an artist artistically. You need that community space, especially in the arts, to be able to spit ideas out, collaborate with each other, share resources, and grow together. Sometimes, achieving your goals alone can be challenging, and having a supportive network can make all the difference. Thanks to David Yancy, he has created a space at Ink Therapy for creatives to get together and collaborate! The Clandestine Creative Club has been around for about two years, and it [has] been a tremendous help for creatives and beginning artists in Memphis to be able to network with one another as well as form a safe space and creative outlet for people who just want to hang out and create! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: What advice would you give to other creatives and entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in Memphis?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniela: First things first, you have to make ugly art to make your best works. Not everything you make will be perfect, and that\u2019s okay. Keep the ball rolling; that idea will lead you to the next and to the next and to the next one, etc. Don\u2019t stop creating, and be yourself! Remember to always make art enjoyable! ART IS SUBJECTIVE[!] DO WHATEVER YOUR HEART DESIRES!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here in Memphis, you can find lively artwork in just about every corner of the city, and that\u2019s thanks to the creativity and talent displayed by people like @diablit0e, or Daniela Trejo Chavez. Daniela is a local artist who focuses on painting, printmaking, and ceramics and is a University of \u200bMemphis alum with a BFA…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":27227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[15,5452,5336,5428],"class_list":["post-27226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-memphian-stories","tag-featured","tag-featured-memphian","tag-memphis-art","tag-memphis-artist"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wearememphis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_3315-931x1024.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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You can catch Daniela at the upcoming Por Vida Fest on September 21 at the 495 N. Hollywood Street parking lot at 5:00 PM. It\u2019s free and will feature local DJs and vendors for a celebration of life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"