Voices of Creativity

A Lifelong Passion for Art

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For Carla Reyes, art has always been a natural part of her life. “For as long as I can remember, I had a crayon or a paintbrush in my hand,” she recalls. Pursuing a career in the visual arts was never a question of if, but how. Her journey evolved over time, shaped by her unwavering passion and exploration of various artistic paths.

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Navigating Challenges and Discovering Purpose

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One of Carla’s greatest challenges was finding her professional path within the arts. While she has always been committed to her personal artistic practice, her career has included diverse roles such as museum administrator, scenic artist, muralist, art educator, and decorative finisher. Though this exploration felt aimless at times, Carla credits these experiences with enhancing her skills and deepening her practice as an artist.

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Achievements to Celebrate

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Completing her MFA in Painting at CUNY Lehman College stands out as one of Carla’s proudest achievements. Balancing her roles as a full-time art teacher, mother of two, and professional artist, pursuing an MFA was a significant commitment. Yet, she saw it as an opportunity to push her practice further, build community, and take on new challenges.

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An Evolving Artistic Perspective

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Carla’s work spans abstraction and figuration, with a focus on materiality and the physicality of art-making. Her practice has evolved to include mixed media, relief, texture, and more recently, three-dimensional and sculptural approaches. “I’ve moved into installation and more conceptual spaces,” she explains, noting how collaboration and conversation have become an integral part of her artistic process.

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Lessons Learned Along the Way

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Rather than viewing obstacles as setbacks, Carla sees them as opportunities to shift focus or try new approaches. “If something isn’t happening, it’s probably not the right time for it,” she says. Her perseverance and adaptability have taught her the importance of resilience and self-driven opportunities.

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Wisdom for Fellow Artists

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Carla emphasizes the value of creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. “Find artists who share your vision, create a collective, or propose your ideas to a space,” she advises. For her, building networks and fostering collaborations have been essential to her growth.

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Staying True to Vision

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Since Carla’s artwork is not her primary source of income, she feels free to stay true to her vision without external pressures. Commissions and projects outside her comfort zone are opportunities for experimentation and growth, rather than constraints.

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Sources of Support and Inspiration

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Carla draws inspiration from her mentors—female artists and educators who balance their creative pursuits with parenting and work. “Real makers and material junkies,” she says, crediting these role models for showing her what’s possible.

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Defining Success

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While Carla once viewed success as making a living solely from art, her perspective has broadened. “Success is creating regularly, exhibiting often, being published, and pursuing creative careers like teaching or public art,” she reflects. For her, fulfillment comes from the ability to sustain a creative life while sharing her work with the world.

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Carla Reyes’ journey is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and passion required to navigate a career in the arts. Her evolving practice and commitment to fostering opportunities for herself and others serve as an inspiration to emerging and established artists alike.