Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Sierra.
Hi Sylvia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My art business did not begin with a formal business plan. My art journey began as a new mother sitting on my living room couch with my newborn baby daughter by my side. I’d worked in the nonprofit field for 15years after college, and found myself in a whole new career of motherhood. A good friend of mine who was an adoptions counselor, asked me to paint place cards for her agency’s foster parent banquet. I’d taken sewing & embroidery classes, and worked a little with ceramic clay. However, I’d never painted! I was encouraged by my friend and I must admit, painting little angels on hundreds of place cards for such a special group of people felt good in my heart. It felt meaningful too, because I’d always believed in angels. I’d had a slight case of Polio as a toddler during the polio epidemic in the late 1950’s, and it was a small miracle my frantic parents found the proper medical treatment for me when doctors were still unfamiliar with even diagnosing the Virus much less treating it. I’ve always felt my special guardian angels were right there with me. As a young college student I was in a horrible car crash caused by a drunk driver. I had been married for a mere two months to a phenomenal human being, that’s life ended that tragic night so needlessly and irresponsibly. I spent the next several months hospitalized treating my broken body and broken heart. Surviving that horrific tragedy was nothing short of another miracle and my guardian angels working over time.My school teacher mom and her school teacher brother taught children with special needs. I remember they always had little angel pictures displayed in their classrooms to protect these children who they taight and loved so much. I was very close to my uncle and at his home, he collected angel art and books on all kinds of angels. He was a gentle human, and never having married I was like his own child. It was a beautiful life together we shared. He loved school himself, and earned several graduate degrees throughout his lifetime, ending his professional career as a child psychologist. He lived with my family and I the last 8yrs of his life. What an honor that was caring for him. He and my mother were both very artistic and were my first life cheerleaders until their very end. They are where I began my love for art. They both loved my art and taught me techniques about using color — and how to use the entire box of crayons! Their classroom bulletin boards were magical. They wanted the children entering their classrooms to love school and love learning. I’ve alwayd remembered that message and adapted it to my work today. I want people that see my art, to feel the story behind each of my pieces — whether it’s a greeting card I’ve designed or a piece of my silver jewelry. Everything I create, I create with my whole soul. Each piece has its own story.
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to color, texture, beautiful details, and objects that tell a story. I have always loved making things with my hands and finding unexpected ways to transform ordinary materials into something joyful and meaningful. Art has never been simply a hobby for me.. It has evolved naturally a large part of who I am — my home decor, my way I dress, my bold accessories, and even my facial makeup is dramatic! Every piece of me is artsy.
My collection of whimsical angels that I first created back in 1991, has indeed served as my invaluable basis. The place cards I painted for the foster parents banquet, receiving the custom orders for more angel art.was exactly the confidence and validation needed to keep growing my craft. Designing and painting original art got to be pretty labor intensive especially as a busy mom. I eventually found a professional printer to make prints of my art on greeting cards and frameable prints. At local art shows, I personalized each one with a name and phrase on the spot while customers waited — helping me to stand out at my craft shows. I received a lot of different custom orders as well. I ended up creating angel art for the Make a Wish Foundation, parent organizations that had lost babies, and patients wanting special designs for medical staff caring for their sick children. My little angels have touched a lot of special hearts. With an oil/gas attorney husband, my family often relocated to different cities and states. Finding opportunities to share my art was fun. Keeping in touch with past art collectors of mine was wonderful too! I remember receiving a large wooden bench from an out of towner requesting I paint each of child’s private school class peers — all 30 children with angel wings! Personalized each with their names and hobbies. One of the parents drove the 5hrs to my home studio to transport this custom bench back to their school. Such a heartwarming project that was.
As my creative palette grew, so did my art collections. I took metalsmith classes and learned to create sterling silver jewelry. I took quilting, heirloom stitching, and beading classes. Learning to embroider with tiny glass seed beads has been quite useful in my art designs. I’ve experimented with textiles, and adorning clothing, My clothing line Fiesta Threads — Art from Canvas to Cotton — I introduced this collection of new designs last year in 2025.
Each new medium has given me another way to express the colorful world I carry inside me. My Mexican American heritage has always been an important source of inspiration — Mexican sombreros, piñatas, hearts, doves, milagros, and my beloved Our Lady of Guadalupe — are my favorite designs to paint and sculpt in silver metal. I even create tiny handpainted altars from wood with religious components. They connect me to family, faith, celebration, and tradition. I do not use these images simply as decoration. To me, they carry spirit and history. It is why the perfect description for my art is described as —Colorful Creations in Paper, Silver, Thread, and Spririt.
These days a painting of mine may become a greeting card, a wall canvas, a piece of clothing, or the inspiration for a handcrafted necklace.
Jewelry eventually became one of the most recognizable parts of my work. I have become especially fascinated with vintage (1800-1900) sterling silver Mexican sombreros. I began collecting them years ago and have given them new life in bold, one-of-a-kind necklaces and statement pieces. In addition to my vintage sombreros being a favorite component to my handcrafted jewelry, I also love sculpting sterling silver longhorn pendants. They compliment my sombrero line exquisitely. Creating jewelry featuring religious imagery adds a lot of calm to my meaningful art elements.
Every piece begins with a story. Sometimes that story is rooted in my culture. Sometimes it reflects my Catholic faith. Sometimes it simply begins with an old object that deserves to be seen and loved again. I enjoy combining the unexpected—vintage and contemporary, sacred and whimsical, elegant and playful.
Since my beginning in 1991, my art collection has expanded beyond painting little angels. It continues to evolve. From greeting cards and 5×7 frameable prints — my art now consists of 8×10 and 11×14 prints on fine art paper, as well as on wall canvasses. I also have my art designs professionally printed on fabric that I hand sew onto clothing. Though my handcrafted silver jewelry is my favorite medium to create, it’s also the most popular with people. It’s my way to express strength and creativity that often result in bold, courageous, and ecclectic whimsy pieces. Definitely conversational wearable art!
This growth has led to my brand, “Sylvia Q. Sierra” and my clothing collection, **Fiesta Threads. My work has bevome a true reflection of the many ways I create in paper, silver, thread, and spirit!
Reaching this point has not happened overnight. My journey has been built slowly, one piece, one show, one lesson, and one brave decision at a time. I have learned how to display my work, tell my story, price my creations, promote my business, and connect with collectors. I have stepped outside my comfort zone many times, from participating in art shows to developing my website and opening my own little gallery space in Round Top, Texas.
Becoming a vendor at The Halles in Round Top has been one of the most exciting chapters of my journey. Round Top has allowed me to introduce my work to visitors, designers, collectors, and creative people from all over the country. My gallery is not simply a place where I sell art. I want it to feel like a destination—a place filled with joy, heritage, imagination, and pieces that cannot be found anywhere else. My Sylvia Q. Sierra Art Gallery at The Halles is open during the huge fall, winter, and spring shows — which by the way, is the largest festival of antiques and art in the nation! It’s definitely a memorable Texas experience that people look forward to attending. In addition to my art gallery being open during the popular Round Top festivals in Januaty, March, and October each year. I’m also open during select weekends which I have listed on my website, www.SylviaQSierra.com.
My business has grown from a quiet lifelong passion into a collection of colorful creations that represent my heritage, my faith, my family, and my joyful view of the world. I have reached this point by following my curiosity, trusting my instincts, and continuing to create even when I did not know exactly where the journey would lead.
I turn 70years young in a few months, and I still feel as though I am only beginning.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth journey.
Family always comes first with me. There were periods I’ve had to curtail my art plans during the years that I took care of my elderly parents and close uncle. I’ve been known to paint or work on embroidery projects sitting on chairs in hospital rooms. Always it’s a calming effect, working with my hands. I feel very fortunate to have what I have. I’m grateful and hope to have many more years to keep adding color to our world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I attended the University of Texas at Austin graduating with a degree in Dance and Psychology. Most all of my professional nonprofit jobs took place in low social economic communities. My Spanish speaking skills was a key prerequisite. I love having assisted, shared, and learned so much from people from all over the world.
My paid work experience has included assisting immigrants & refugees with their legalization process; assisted public school staff, students, parents during court ordered school desegregation program; assisted public school dropout prevention program K-3 grades; corporate community relations; owner & operator of a fine art gallery.
My volunteer work experience has included assisting on community projects & fundraising representing the Houston Jr. League; serving on numerous community Boards such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunking Driving), public school volunteer organizations, and post polio gtoups.
I am most proud of my work with immigrants and refugees. Meeting people from so many different cultures, faiths, and political life or death situations have certainly strengthened my appreciation for the importance of our country’s democracy.
How do you think about happiness?
What truly makes me happy is living my best life. I have good health, a loving family, and a wonderful circle of strong friends.
I haven’t lived without challenges. I’ve chosen to learn from those challenges by not allowing people or situations to define my life. I try to recognize my many life blessings and not God’s winks. I’m so very grateful to my determined parents to have kept searching for help during the scary polio epidemic when so many people fell through the cracks and ended up in iron lungs or paralyzed. I thank God every single day that my Spanish speaking grandfather reading his small town’s daily Spanish newspaper read about the town doctor’s young daughter having contracted Polio and having been treated by doctors in the big city hours away. This savvy grandfather of mine was the one that urged my parents to take me to see the town doctor where my grandparents lived. My parents did exactly that and as a result, my polio resulted in me having had a minor case. No permanent paralysis. My life could very easily have taken a different turn and I would not have had the good life I’ve had. I never take that for granted. I served as a board member and fundraiser for our local Polio organization for many years. I will forever serve and support my post Polio community proudly.
Having been blessed with yet another chance at life after the senseless car crash while in college caused by a drunk driver that changed my life completely. Every single day I live life to its fullest as if today is my last day on earth. I promised myself not to allow that irresponsible person to continue to impact my life. As difficult as it was to dig myself out from that daily dark hole, I was determined to finish my university education I’d started and live life like I meant it. I was going to live my life out loud. I don’t sweat the small stuff. I don’t give people second chances to hurt me. I’m always late going to places because I’m always cramming my things to do in every little cranny of time. I give a lot. I do a lot. I’ve learned to cope and stay flexible. Some days when things get too heavy, I do nothing and I just breathe. Even it’s an all day affair. Lately I don’t listen to television news, it weighs too heavy on my heart. Instead I play. I art. And I live in color. All colors.
To be happy I live my best life, and try as much as possible to pay it forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SylviaQSierra.com
- Instagram: @SierraArtJewelry
- Facebook: @SierraArtJewelry
- LinkedIn: Sylvia Q. Sierra
