Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy D’Aguiar.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born in 1974 and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. From early childhood illustrations to award-winning student work, my creative path has always been a central part of my life. In high school, I was part of the AP Art Program and received multiple art scholarships. I went on to earn a BA in Graphic Design from Virginia Tech, where I also studied life drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital media.
After graduating in 1996, I began a career in design, creating t-shirt graphics, toys, costumes, logos, and branding. In 2002, I returned to painting—starting in oils with fantasy and surreal themes. In 2005, I apprenticed under artist Liz Jardine, where I was introduced to abstract painting and a wide variety of acrylic techniques. That experience expanded my visual language and deeply influences the surreal and abstract fusion seen in my work today.
Each of my paintings is infused with Reiki Healing Energy and often includes Sacred Geometry symbols—inviting the viewer into a space of peace, energetic balance, and dreamlike exploration.
Now based in San Diego for over 20 years, I work from my studio at Art on 30th in North Park. I create on canvas, metal, and wood, and collaborate with interior designers, art reps, and galleries all over the country.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In 2012 when I chose to make a living as a full-time artist, I was thriving. It’s really feast or famine though. I’ve always been able to survive, but income ebbs and flows, so I’ve learned to embrace the uncertainty. In 2021 sales started to thin out quite a bit, so it’s been a struggle for the past few years. I keep creating and finding other ways of making money and discovering new ways of selling my art.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love creating surreal work that’s visually Magical…a Feast for the Mind.
At the heart of my creative journey lies a deep, spiritual undercurrent. I’m driven by a desire to make art that serves as a sacred space for awakening. Through my work, I strive to depict alternate realities, exploring the surreal which investigates the mysteries of the energy that connects all things, and the mind’s potential to heal through imagery. My art revolves around Mystical Dreamscapes, where people, animals, and insects coexist harmoniously within magical ecosystems, placing an emphasis on the interconnectedness of these beings and the relationships they share. My versatility allows me to move between acrylic and oil, creating paintings on metal, canvas, and wood, using a vibrant color palette. My paintings on metal stand apart from contemporary art, thanks to the unique transparency of my layering technique. In each of my pieces, I infuse subliminal Sacred Geometry patterns and the healing energy of Reiki, aiming to resonate with the viewer on a deeper, soulful level.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m taking risks each time I create a piece, and put it out into the world. I spend weeks and months on a piece that may never sell, but I was born to create this work, and that’s what I do. Either way, the painting will be made.
The biggest risk I’ve taken is taking a leap of faith and creating full-time. I never know when I’ll get paid, but I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unreal-art.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unrealartofstacy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnrealArt/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacydaguiar/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unrealartofstacy
- Other: https://www.metallicanvas.com/
