Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaira Espino.
Shaira, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Since I could remember, I’ve always loved creating. I recall spending my recess in grade school doodling and coloring in color books. As I progressed to middle school, those coloring books turned into sketches of my favorite childhood anime, Naruto. I loved the style the Japanese used in their cartoons and would sketch the characters so much that I filled a 2″ binder with sketches of the characters.
As I transitioned from middle school to high school, I started experimenting with other mediums and styles. It wasn’t just limited to painting or sketching, but I would also alter my clothes, make headbands and bows, and make miniature sculptures with clay.
My high school art teacher and soccer coach, Ron Canos, was also a huge impact on my love for art. I knew I had a passion for art, but he gave me the confidence I needed to believe I can do more with my abilities by encouraging me to join competitions and challenging me to paint more pieces. However, I soon realized in my senior year of high school that it would be a challenge to make a career out of art. Instead, I decided I would get a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design because it seemed like a more promising career path.
So that’s what I did. A few weeks after graduating high school, I flew out to San Diego from the little island of Guam to pursue a bachelor’s degree in interior design. After I graduated with that degree, I worked in. One of the biggest architectural firms in San Diego for two years. It was within those two years I learned I had no love or passion for interior design. I would come home from work, drained and stressed, and start painting. It was in those moments of painting did I truly feel happy and connected with myself.
I started thinking to myself, “Do I really see myself sitting on a desk, 8.5 hours of my day, correcting floor plans and emailing people I don’t know?” The answer was evident and it didn’t take me long to quit soon after. With no job in line and no real plan, I just started painting more which caught the attention of my friends who would ask me to paint things for them or design tattoos. When I began getting a small income from these small projects, I wondered how much I could make if I did bigger projects. I began by creating a post on Craigslist titled, “ARTIST OPEN FOR COMMISSION”, and lo and behold I got an opportunity to paint a mural in Arizona.
The wall was a 420 sq. ft. concrete wall. I had no experience in painting murals, let alone one that was of that size, but I knew this was a chance to prove to myself that I was more capable than what I thought I could do. A week after being contacted, I drove to Arizona with newly bought paint buckets in my trunk and the excitement of an eight-year-old on Christmas Eve. I worked on that mural for five days, from early morning to late at night. Those 12 hours days were one of the most physically exhausting moments of my life, especially with the Arizona heat being a constant factor throughout the whole process. But those five days were also the most eye-opening for me. Being able to do what I love, connecting with my clients, creating something that would impact their everyday life- I knew I could see myself doing this for the rest of my life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest challenge was leaving a place of security and jumping into the unknown. I was financially stable, but I knew I wasn’t happy. Once you’ve figured out your happiness is the most important thing you have, even more than money, you’ll find that the time you spend on things you’re not passionate about is a waste of who you are and the one life you have in this world.
What should we know about SHAIRAStudio? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
When it comes to my work, I like to broaden my opportunities by dipping my toes in a little bit of everything. I’ve done things from small-scaled paintings, to tattoo designs and shirt designs, and to large-scaled murals. I feel that this is what sets me apart from other artists. When I started painting murals, I began with a Craigslist post that read, “ARTIST OPEN FOR COMMISSIONS” and got a request for a mural which I had no experience in but thought, “Well, I can learn.” This is how I like to approach everything in life.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
The support of my parents has definitely played a huge role in my success. Even as a child, they would encourage me through constant praise and provide me with whatever materials I would need. When I wanted to try watercolor in grade school, they bought me a watercolor set. When I wanted to try sewing hair bows and accessories in middle school, they bought me a sewing machine. When I wanted to pursue a career in interior design, they sent me to San Diego and paid for my college. And now, here I am, using the knowledge I’ve gained to do what I love most because of their constant love and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youtube.com/shairaespino
- Phone: 6198176208
- Email: shairas.studio@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_shaiiraaa/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SHAIRAStudio/
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/SHAIRAStudio
Image Credit:
Brianna Worley
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