painting captured a sentimental memory of family trips and a longing for moments gone by.
“ When I painted it, I was feeling nostalgic,” she explains.“ I put those feelings into the piece. It reminded me of a time in my life that was warm and full.”
It’ s not just a painting to her-- it’ s a moment sealed in color and canvas.
But Vanessa’ s evolution as an artist wasn’ t always steady. Like many creatives, she has struggled with periods of art block, sometimes going months without drawing.
“ One time, I spent an entire year without doing any art,” she confesses.“ It was horrible.”
When these creative droughts hit, she turns to books, other artists, Greek mythology, or simply the world around her. Nature, architecture, and even ordinary objects in her room can become sources of inspiration. Her work often reflects natural elements or antique aesthetics-- a nod to the past, interpreted through the lens of a young artist still carving out her future.
Her process is deliberate and grounded. She starts with a blank canvas, prepping it with intention. Then, if the idea isn’ t already formed, she searches-- online or in her mind-- for something meaningful. Sketching comes next, and then painting begins. But painting for Vanessa is more than technique-- it’ s almost meditative.
“ I like to work alone, in my room with the door closed,” she explains.“ I put on headphones and disconnect from everything.”
The soundtrack to her creative solitude is equally specific: ambient music-- rainfall, white noise, brown noise-- anything that evokes emotion and allows her to“ get her feelings together” and pour them into her work. When the painting is complete, she examines it carefully, corner
Standing vivid against a stark white canvas,“ Flamingo” by Vanessa Vazquez mirrors her meditative process and eye for detail. Each brushstroke reveals a rising artist refining her voice through color and contrast.
“ I realized it looked really good. I thought, wow, I could really do this. It stopped feeling like just a hobby-- it felt like something I am.”
to corner, before signing the front. On the back, she includes the title, the year, and sometimes a handwritten note-- something just for herself or for whoever may come to own the piece.
Her passion was fully realized in eighth grade. After an art class assignment asked students
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