Today we’d like to introduce you to Ines Alvidres.
Hi Ines, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in the land of the “inexhaustible runners,” The Tarahumaras. I remember seeing them for the first time as a child in the markets of downtown Chihuahua and immediately felt a connection. When they came together in the markets, they stood out and became a composition of color. They truly embodied every element of art, and it moved me. My upbringing was a humble one, surrounded by community, friendships, and education. My family and I are very close, and our relationships are full of love and memories. My father taught me what hard work and dedication are. He started a business from nothing and showed me what it is to be resourceful on the path of achieving your dreams. I remember walking to school at a young age. My mother walked with me until I was old enough to go alone when the journey became my own. The distances varied; the backpacks got heavier, but the weather never changed. It was always extreme, either too hot or too cold. I was developing an endurance that was preparing me to tackle future challenges with a positive perspective. When I decided to become an artist, I asked myself, ‘are you willing to do this or not?’ Either answer was fine, but saying ‘yes’ meant hard work and challenges. I felt that I had a solid foundation to follow my dreams. When I decided to do more research on The Tarahumaras, I found that they are so much more than just the colorful impression I had of them as a child. They are mainly known for their endurance, and I then understood why I was drawn to them on a deeper level. Growing up, we do not realize what is preparing us for the stages of our life. When I look back on the challenges, experiences, and connections, these impactful moments inspire me to share the power of art anywhere life takes me.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I didn’t realize that moving to the U.S. would be as challenging as it was. Let me mention, I was only 16 years old. Who moves a teenager to a country where she doesn’t speak the language? Today, I know it was my parents who just wanted what was best for me and my siblings. For me, learning English was one of the most difficult things. I saw others learning so fast, but that wasn’t me. I always loved to speak and express myself growing up by telling stories, and now I had lost that. I was a teenager speaking like a toddler. I decided when I learned English, I was going to learn it and speak it as I did in Spanish, with flavor and passion and a broader vocabulary. That was just a lesson that would later relate to my art career because I realized that art is a universal language. And as a teenager, I was learning to communicate by painting, and then again, I wanted to learn to speak the language of painting with the same intention. I had to educate myself with artist biographies, visiting as many museums and galleries, going to lectures, and speaking to other artists. I can express myself fully and confidently in Spanish and English and can possibly learn more languages, but I know my art can speak to everyone without me saying one word.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Since the beginning, the main ingredients for my artwork have been the variety and combination of bright colors that I use in my paintings. I always trusted that my artwork and I were going to evolve with the years and with experience. My inspiration mainly comes from my surroundings, especially nature. The best part of being an artist, I believe, is the fact that there are no limits. I can be creating a series of birds and flowers, but there will be a need to use the leftover paint on my brush to create a new raw and abstract piece.
At the beginning of my career, my friend and I were looking at a piece of artwork at a museum, and he asked what I thought about a specific piece. Before I could answer the question, he said, “I don’t want you to tell me if you like it or not, but what emotion does it make you feel?” After that experience, everything changed. Every time I saw a painting, a sculpture or even listened to a song, it was never about what I thought, but how it made me feel. I also started to create with the same intention. My hope is that I can create a positive emotion in you. Any time someone asks me what kind of artwork I create, my answer is the same – I create friendly abstracts straight from the heart, always with a hope to put a smile on your face. It might be a bit cheesy, but I mean it.
The power of art is real. It can improve the lives of many. That’s why “Friendly Abstract” was a term that felt right to me. I want to be able to use my art to communicate with as many people as possible. Abstract art can be loved by many, but it’s not for everybody. I also know that figurative art is more traditional and understood, but there was still a division between these two groups. The idea of capturing the attention of both sides excited me! Why not create art that would be abstract enough for those that love abstraction and friendly enough to those that don’t like abstract. It works! I have had people approach me and say, “I really don’t like abstract, but I love your piece.” I have also witnessed a complete stranger from afar looking at one of my pieces in a group show, she observed my piece for a few seconds, and a giant smile formed on her face. The feedback of feeling happy when people see my artwork comes from dear friends, but also from new people I meet at different shows.
I don’t think any profession is easy, especially if you want to be the best. Speaking from an artist perspective, as glamorous as it might seem, it is not. It can be extremely hard at times. I have learned with experience that the struggles and challenges are going to come, no matter what profession I have chosen. I know that the reason I’m willing to overcome challenges as an artist is because I love what I do. I know that that is the same for many other professionals out there!
There is a quote from Dr. Tererai Trent that I love, “The universe has a way to honor our dreams if only we believe. We become determined and work hard toward our goals.” This is the best reminder when things get difficult that everything starts from dreaming. The next step requires determination. Those two will not be enough if we don’t work hard. I have big dreams that make my stomach hurt a little. I have been determined since the first day, and I’m not afraid of work.
Amarte Art Studio is what I decided to name my studio. AMA means to love in Spanish, and ARTE is art in English. When you put AMARTE together it means to love art, to love others but also and most important to love yourself. For those that work from home and wish for a studio space, don’t worry. I experienced a great art studio in a fabulous art deco building, and now I’m working from a humble small space in my home. To be real and honest, it’s the same. The work is not better or worse. I don’t produce more or less. You are the one that makes the art, not your circumstances.
How do you define success?
I had the opportunity to spend some years with a very talented Mexican painter which I believe had the talent to become anything he wanted to be. I helped and supported his dream of being an artist the time we spent together. Long story short, one day, he was no longer there. I am grateful, and I believe that this event in my life helped me to pursue and be where I am today. The reason we got along so well is because we both love creating. I just did not think I had as much talent as he did, but my love for art was always there. Well, that morning when he was no longer next to me, I had a conversation with myself. I asked myself do you really want to create? Do you really wanna be an artist? Either answer was fine. If I say no, it was good, but I wasn’t going to be saying that I paint once in a while, or I paint sometimes, or I might be or not, I was not going to be an artist period. But if I say yes! I was going to commit and go for it. I told myself not to get out of bed until you have an answer. Between you and I, that morning it took me longer than usual to get out of bed. I have to ask myself one more time the same question, and I respond, “yes.” I even surprised myself and thought did I just say yes to myself.
The truth is that it was one of the scariest things I have done, but once I said “yes.” Stepping out of bed with my right foot, I promised to walk from that day on as an artist. That moment changed everything. I am an artist, and yes, I want to pursue a career, and I want to paint until the last days of my life. My journey as an artist has been interesting, full of ups and downs. I wonder sometimes why am I doing it, but I wonder more what if I didn’t because I know in my heart that this is what I was born to do. It’s not just the painting part and creating art, but also to share what it took to get here and most importantly to share my passion to young artist that can’t imagine or think that they can become one. I had to share this story because I didn’t think about it for a long time, but there has to be one day when you decide to make a change in your life. It doesn’t have to do with a career. It can be about your personal life, something you say you’re committing to and you’re going to do, especially if it’s something that is going to be good for you, help you improve your life or help you be the better version of yourself. I know that we have a purpose, and we just have to find that purpose. Once we find that purpose, it doesn’t matter what life throws at you, you find ways to overcome, continue and find joy. That to me, is
success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amarteartstudio.com
- Instagram: @inesalvidres.art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008849563677
Image Credits
Featured photo by John Fulbright
Other photos by Kenyan Guidry
