Today we’d like to introduce you to Reina Castellanos.
Hi Reina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a Venezuelan illustrator and designer living in Orlando, FL. I moved to the United States in the year 2000 with my family. Although I had always been artistically inclined, I didn’t consider visual arts seriously as a passion until my late teens. I am very thankful that I grew up surrounded by Venezuelan paintings that my parents collected and everyone in my family has always been very supportive of my choice of pursuing a career in the arts.
I obtained an AS in Graphic Design from Valencia College, an Illustration BFA with a minor in Printmaking from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and an MFA in Emerging Media from the University of Central Florida.
Ever since I started my college career in the arts, I have been passionate about cultivating the creative community around me. I have been a long-time member of AIGA, the professional association for design, and have been involved for a number of years as a board member in the local Orlando chapter, organizing events and different programming to help further design education, create a space where creatives can meet each other, and ultimately evaluate our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Probably the biggest struggle I have had to overcome in my career was when I was applying to become a resident of the US. During this process, specially as an artist, I had to sit down and analyze if what I had done in my career at that point was good enough and, of course, I began doubting myself. But thankfully, I have a lot of supportive family, friends, and colleagues who kept me going through the process and help me defeat any kind of negativity I might have felt during this process. After a lot of work, time, and patience, and of course the help of the creative community that was able to back me up and vouch for me and my work, I was able to receive my green card. After that, I think my work started to flourish even more. A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders and I will always be proud of having accomplished that milestone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is influenced by my culture and experiences as an immigrant—seeking balance between absurdity and moments of quiet contemplation within the organized chaos of layered color and pattern.
My focus right now is on my illustration work which tends to be bright, bold, pattern based, abstract images. I like to create images that can be approachable and universal but also create moments that can be introspective and, sometimes, very personal to me or to the viewer. One of the things that I have dabbled more in the last couple of years is creating little products where I can showcase my illustrations, such as coin pouches, jotter notebooks, enamel pins, etc. I really like the idea of people curating the things they carry with them and knowing that a little object I designed can bring a smile to their faces during their daily life.
Currently, I am most known for being part of Target’s Latino Heritage Month campaign called Mas Que. I was chosen, along fellow Venezuelan designer and illustrator Alex Izaguirre, to be the first two featured creators to have products like apparel, accessories, stationary, etc. to be sold in stores and online.
More info on the campaign here:
http://target.com/masque
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTWquvIjZVv/
https://www.chainstoreage.com/target-honors-latino-heritage-month
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am currently available for commissions, freelance work, and collaborations! I would like to create more partnerships where we can collaborate and create really cool and colorful work together. The best way to reach me is via Instagram @reinavsreina or email reinavsreina@gmail.com.
Currently, I have two webshops where you can find prints of my work in one and smaller objects like notebooks and enamel pins on the other.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/REINAVSREINA
https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/reinavsreina/
Contact Info:
- Email: reinavsreina@gmail.com
- Website: http://reinavsreina.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/reinavsreina/
- Other: http://linktr.ee/reinavsreina
Image Credits
Reina Castellanos
