Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Reyes.
Kelly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a San Diego native, born and raised. I am the oldest of 3, and I am also a first-generation Mexican-American. Both of my parents had to overcome many obstacles in their life to be able to give me and my siblings a better life here in the U.S. While the experience of being a first-generation Mexican-American is one that can be filled with much pride, it is also an experience that comes with a lot of pressure. Being the oldest, not only did I have to set the bar for my parents, but I also had to set a good example for my younger sisters. So, when it came time to think about what career path I wanted to take, “art” was not a feasible option. Thinking back to as far back as I can remember, I have always been drawn to different mediums of art. It first started with pencil. In elementary school, I would get home from school and draw for hours in my notebooks. When I got to around 4th grade, I got really into skateboarding, which then introduced me to the world of graffiti art. It was around that time when I started using other mediums. I started using markers, then paint/spray paint, and as I got older, I kept exploring new mediums. It was when I got to high school that I really started experimenting with mediums that I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to try had I not gone to that high school. I did pottery (which I struggled a lot with), painting (which I loved), film photography, and design & mixed media. When senior year was coming to an end, I had my heart set on pursuing a career in design & mixed media but when I voiced that to my parents, they weren’t exactly thrilled to hear it. They suggested I pursue a career that was more “practical.” While it was well-intentioned, and I totally understood where they were coming from, it was still disheartening to hear. Ultimately, I chose to go a more practical route. I graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and I kept making art solely as a hobby. When the pandemic hit, and we were all stuck at home, I decided to try digital art. I had dabbled in it a bit before then but never took it too serious. I started drawing on my iPad and simultaneously purchased a program to start playing with graphic design. My first venture with this medium came when my partner saw my potential in this new area and asked me to design a cover art for one of the songs he was releasing. With a lot of practice and word of mouth, eventually, I started putting myself out there and working with various different artists in San Diego to help design cover arts for their music. It started with single cover arts and now I have had the opportunity to work on a lot of different projects such as album covers, show flyers, t-shirt designs, logos, banners, promotional graphics, etc. I am now able to combine different mediums and incorporate them into my digital work. It was an unexpected journey getting here but it is one that I am extremely grateful to be a part of.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road to get to where I am now. The experience of being a first-generation Mexican-American and first-generation college graduate had many struggles in and of itself. Being the oldest and first to experience certain things that my parents didn’t, I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. Living these experiences really shaped my perspective of the world. Although these experiences came with its struggles, they also taught me perseverance and tenacity. While the road hasn’t been easy, I try to remember that ultimately these experiences have shaped me for the better.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a visual artist and I specialize in making visuals for artists in the music scene. That may be anything from single covers, album covers, graphics for social media or their brand, etc. While I enjoy working on all different types of projects when it comes to working with clients, I particularly enjoy working on single & album covers. I am most proud of taking an idea that the client has, delivering on their vision while also adding my own flare to it to elevate their concept. I enjoy getting to be a small part of the story they are trying to tell with their music. The challenge of trying to create something visually that fits the vibe that they are trying to convey auditorily is a challenge that I really enjoy.
What’s next?
As far as plans for the future go, the only plan in mind is to keep being consistent and never stop learning. I look forward to working with new like-minded people and keep working/collaborating with creative individuals that I have met along the way. I also plan on making time to focus on making art for myself, eventually, I would like to showcase more of my personal work. For now, I am just enjoying the process and enjoying the time spent making art I get to make with and for others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: starxcrossedd
Image Credits
Eric Lopez
Mi Cabezita Loca
