Daily Inspiration: Meet Jennifer Liceaga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Liceaga.  

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?
I was raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I was always very creative growing up. I remember daydreaming in class while drawing in my books. Drawing in the back of tests (and getting in trouble for it). 

I used my clothes, my hair color, and my jewelry as a form of self-expression. I was definitely that weird girl into comics, anime, and gothic fashion. 

My family and I moved to Miami, Florida in 2006. There I went to cosmetology school and got my license. I was even a hairdresser for a little while! 

A few years later my husband transferred to Orlando for work and I had to start all over again in a new town. The most logical thing was to keep selling my art online until I got a job. I had part-time jobs here and there but my art remained my passion and I was determined to make it my full-time job. 

I was doing every convention I could afford. Participated in every gallery group show that accepted me. Every weekend it was something different, I was busy. Eventually, vending my art at events was my full-time gig. 

I have scaled it back since. Nowadays I focus on my online shop and a vend at handful of events throughout the year. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a full-time artist is not as easy or glamorous as one would think. Just like every self-employed person or small business owner, a lot of sacrifices are made in the beginning. 

My biggest struggle was finding my own voice within the art community. In the beginning, I was making art that was popular just so I could get people’s attention and make those sales. But I felt I wasn’t being authentic and with each piece, I felt my love for art fade away. 

I have so many ideas, characters I wanted to bring to life, stories to tell. And it wasn’t until I made the decision to be true to myself and create the art that I wanted to make that I regained that passion. That’s when the real magic started happening. 

Being a creative with ADHD I struggled (and still do) with my time management skills. Many times, I found myself biting off more than I could chew. Spent sleepless nights before an event getting ready. 

All of my past mistakes were lessons that got me to where I am at and I don’t regret anything. Did I struggle? yes! Do I still struggle? Also, yes! But it has been super rewarding and I’m loving every minute of it. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create hand-crafted art dolls, sculptures, and paintings that are both whimsical and spooky. While I love creating all sorts of things from pumpkin witches to goats, Fairies and skulls are a subject that is very prominent in my body of work. 

I am mostly known for my handmade dolls. These are sculpted out of clay and other materials like fabric and found objects. These dolls are super special because they’re completely one-of-a-kind creations. I sculpt them, given names and backstories, I sew them clothes, make little props for them, I go all out! 

I’m most proud of my pumpkin dolls and my framed fairy wall piece. 

What sets me apart from others I think is my ability to balance both cute and creepy. I try to be as authentic as possible and if that means yet another fairy sculpts. Then so be it haha. Better to be hated for what you are than loved by what you’re not I always say. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risks have to be taken in order to achieve a goal. My biggest risk for sure has been becoming a full-time artist. But it has also been the most rewarding experience. Day in and day out I get to create the art I love and I put it out into the for the world to see, for the world to judge. Whenever I release a new piece of art, I have no clue if people are going to like it. I have no recipe to success, no crystal ball to tell me what’s gonna sell or not. I just do my best and hope that my collectors respond positively to it. 

Whenever I have doubts, my husband tells me ” Well, what’s the worst that can happen? You end up right where you started? It’s better to try than to live a life where you’re left wondering what could have been.” 

I have so many more risks that I want to take! and whether I win or lose. At least I know I tried. And that’s good enough for me. 

And I want to tell the people that read this to take that risk! Start that podcast, that YouTube channel, go back to school, ask for that raise, take that art class, work on your side hustle while everyone is sleeping, and open up that online shop. I promise you; you won’t regret it! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CovenOfCuteness.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/TheCovenOfCuteness
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TheCovenOfCuteness