Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Longoria.
Veronica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in the Rio Grande Valley. Third generation American, my grandparents, and parents were migrant farm workers in the 1980’s. In pursuit of a better life, my mother moved me and my sister to Austin, TX, where I was exposed to my first art and music scene. This was when I developed an interest in drawing. From then on, all my Christmas gifts were art supplies.
In 1997, we moved to Houston. I quickly became influenced by graffiti culture and began drawing my own forms of calligraphy and graffiti letters, but on paper. In sixth grade, I was selling five-dollar drawings to my classmates. But, I began hanging with the wrong crowd, making bad decisions that could have left me dead or in jail. In the summer of 2001, at the age of 15, I found out I was pregnant.
Everyone around me began predicting my failure. I was already headed down the wrong path. There was no reason for anyone to believe having a baby would be positive for my life. Knowing the obstacles, I proceeded with the birth of my daughter and continued my pursuit of higher education. I did so with a new fire to succeed and was determined to become something for the sake of my daughter.
I graduated at the top of my high-school graduating class then began classes at the Art Institute in 2005. After receiving my degree, I freelanced for a few months, then began working in Marketing & Communications for the oil and gas industry. I was applying all the creative stuff I wanted to do in design and animation in a way that would actually pay the bills while picking up new skills along the way.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a teenage mother left me vulnerable to certain types of abuse and manipulation. I’ve been a victim of domestic violence and financial abuse. My life hit rock bottom several times.
Despite what life has thrown at me, in order for me to succeed, it was crucial to keep my end goals in mind and to know most situations are temporary. Perseverance is key.
It was this mindset that helped me complete the animation program at the Art Institute of Houston, leave unhealthy relationships, and achieve financial independence by applying my passion to earn a living.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
V-ROC Studios is essentially divided into two parts. There’s an art side where I sell artwork, commissioned paintings, and apparel.
Then, there’s a design and digital media side where I offer creative services in a variety of areas such as photography, graphic design, illustration, digital marketing, animation, and video production.
I’m known mostly as being an artist or painter, but I have a passion for the production of digital media as well. I just do the boring stuff no one cares about. But to my clients, I’m a rock star.
What were you like growing up?
I was a total chingona. 100%. Tough and tomboy-ish. I wasn’t afraid to fight if needed. Having a daughter calmed me down in the best way possible. My interests became finishing school and becoming better at my craft.
Pricing:
- T-shirts and apparel starting at $15
- Art prints starting at $20
Contact Info:
- Address: 2101 Winter Street Houston, TX 77007
- Website: www.vrocstudios.com
- Email: veronica@vrocstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/v.roc_studios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vrocstudios/
- Other: www.veronicalongoria.com
Image Credit:
Main photo: A.J Santana
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