No matter who we are or whatever part of the planet we are in we will always have an ambition or a drive to our own personal growth and work. We have obstacles in our paths and some that won't ever change. As artists create work for themselves and others to appreciate we can look at awe and talk about the artwork amongst ourselves. We can think of the troubles the obstacles the artist may have during the creation of their work. An issue being maybe not having the proper tools or the usual foul artist block, but It can be different for others. Damaris Contreras the artist featured is a disabled creative who has created amazing work and we must not forget that no matter who you are you can do anything. For example, Henri Matisse began using a wheelchair due to surgery for cancer. He too is a disabled creative who did not look at his new "obstacle" in sadness but called it "une seconde vie" a second life. A new beginning for hist artwork for numerous years. From Henri to Damaris she is an artist in the community and she may also be an inspiration for others. Let us dig into La Dama.
Damaris Contreras, Dama, @la.damaaaa
Damaris shares what she enjoys and what she likes. First sharing her favorite food being "Paleta Payaso, it reminds me of my childhood." I've seen the paletas before, but I've never had one due to how the wrapper looked. Does the mascot on the wrapper still bother at this age? I won't say, but I'll be sure to get one next time I see it.
Her favorite music, well she says she listens to a lot of music, but "I'd say my top 3 are Lorde, Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator and Lana Del Rey." I have listened to Lorde and Lana Del Rey on the radio, but I can't exactly name songs, but you tell me what's my favorite Tyler and Frank song I'll name more than enough. I'll just put it out there Cherry Bomb is my favorite album by Tyler, The Creator. Of course, these are big named artists, but what about the homies in the 956? Damaris says "Some of my favorite local artists are 5K Marathon, Joseph Stingley, Ollie (@14ollie_c) Joelito, and Isaiah Flowers" she adds, "I think the reason why all these are some of my favorite artists is because one of my best friend’s introduced me to Lorde and Lana del Rey back in middle school, and I met a lot of great people at the boys concert they had at Yerberia back in August." In the end, it's all about having a good time and being with your friends. Overall they are still good artists in their craft.
Speaking about music what about artists she mentions "some of my favorite local artists are Maddy (@N.o.o.d.l) and Alejandra Martinez (@44waterlilies) as well as other people I've met at school and online. They're all super creative and make great art, that just wow’s me every time I see it on my Instagram feed." I agree with having the feeling of waiting for your favorite artist or musician or just anyone post and seeing what they created. Even just a glimpse of their upcoming project it's nice just to see something. Even with Damaris being an artist awaiting their new posts I'm sure its the same for her. She also has people awaiting her next work/post.
We all catch interest in our hobbies due to an event or It may have just come our way. Even if you do something for fun it can always change as Damaris states "I’ve always liked to draw, but I never really took it seriously. I don’t think it was until my sophomore year of high school when I got out of choir and decided to take a graphic design and an art class when I realized I enjoyed art." You come to the realization in due time and it will never be too late to realize its something you'd be passionate about as she continues to mention "the following year, I couldn't take another graphic design class cause my school only offered the first part, so I ended up taking Art 2 with Ms. Morales and discovered that I actually loved painting." Having a push in the right direction is always the best just the way I'll never forget Dina Vera my Radio Advisor pushing me towards my interest and my love for the valley. Just as we have individuals who want to see us succeed she says "Ms. Morales was the first art teacher I ever had who really pushed me to experiment with different materials and motivated me to continue practicing, it’s because of her that I decided to study art at the university" and now Damaris continues to create works of art and it only continues from there.
As said we can have people who push is towards our interests, but what about individuals we grow to look up and learn from? It can always change or stay consistent, but Damaris says "I’ve always been inspired by the same things, my family/friends, films, music/music videos, cartoons, and things I've gone through. But I don’t know, growing up I never really was inspired by one specific person" is there a reason to this as she continues to state " I’ve never had someone who was disabled to look up to and have that whole 'If they can do this, so can I,' moment." I can relate in a sense of looking for someone to look up to. Growing up the boys around me seemed to look at masculine, aggressive, violent individuals as their role model, but I grew older I began to wonder "where the soft dudes at? Who are tough yet soft to look up to" but the idea of role models is different for everyone. I have people who push me, but I don't have someone I look up to just yet unlike you as you said "It wasn’t until a few years ago when I stumbled upon Jillian Mercado, an actress, and model, on Instagram. Through the years, I’ve found more and more disabled creatives on Instagram and I’m just happy that I’ve been able to talk to a few and learn from them." In due time it comes around now you have your friends and it been a push forward for you.
There are many art styles or rather genres in the art and Damaris says "as of right now, I’d say my 'art style' is all over the place. I like experimenting and trying new things so I feel like my style is always changing, yet I get told it’s recognizable so what do I know lol." Although you may be experimenting the theme behind your work doesn't change or rather if you're consistent with a meaning you wish to put behind your work then that will stay true as she states "the only thing that hasn't changed would be the meaning of my work and I guess the aesthetic. A lot of my work is based on my past and what I have experienced growing up disabled, it’s also very childlike and colorful." Staying true to her message as she continues to grow and develop her style or rather embrace new styles with her ideas Damaris will leave it with a message she shares with us.
As I can speak for some people I got an interest in drawing by tracing Dragonball Z characters or videogame box art. As it is a start for some people Damaris shares with us "my art style has changed, I started off by drawing stuff I'd see on Tumblr, then in High School I started drawing portraits and just figuring out what I liked." Y'know just testing the waters and seeing what you like can lead to a discovery, but it all takes time and experimentation. Time did go on and she says "It really wasn't until my college years when I figured out what I liked, what I wanted to focus on, and what mediums I liked working with." Although you may have found your focus and the mediums you prefer there's always room for experimentation in your work.
Of course, we each have our favorite piece of artwork we worked on and Damaris says "I really like a series of 5 paintings I did for my painting class last semester. It was the first time I ever made work that was very personal and shared it in front of people. The series was a timeline from when I was 3 years old to now, and I painted a series of events that I experienced as a disabled person. From the first time, I realized I was different, to people coming up to me and asking why I was in a wheelchair, to accepting myself for who I was. It's definitely been the most vulnerable pieces of work I've ever done, and I'm happy our professor allowed us to just make what we wanted, how we wanted, and just created a safe space for us to talk about our work." Being able to create these pieces in a safe space for students to create what they wish to share with one another is great. Not only sharing artwork but the meaning behind your work and putting in your prospective for others to understand your story and the conclusion "to accepting myself to who I was" Is powerful.
Whether you sell art at the art walk or from home there's always a chance you'd be participating at events selling your work which Damaris shares her experience "I was a part of The Juice Exhibition last summer, and it was a great experience. I met a lot of artists and people and I’m just very happy that they asked me to be a part of it." As mentioned on our blog post about Maddy (Noodl) she was an organizer along with friends bringing up this exhibition which Damarish continues "I really want to work with Maddy someday. We've talked about collabing someday and hopefully once covid19 is over, we can meet up and work on something cool." Artists working with artists sounds amazing! Especially if it's with an artist you really enjoy! I can't wait for the work these 2 will come up with! Working with artists is the only thing she wants to be involved "with local musicians and or photographers and direct videos and photoshoots" as she states. That's more added to your personal portfolio and the more the better!
Not only is Damaris an artist, but also an illustrator for Cr*pple Magazine which she tells us "Cr*pple Magazine is an online magazine that I'm very happy to be a part of. It’s a magazine for disabled people by disabled people." This sounds like an amazing platform for disabled creatives and individuals to work in a safe place which I'm sure is impacting the community amazingly! Reading a couple of the post I can say I did learn something and I'm looking forward to more and my continuation into the magazine and their posts. Cr*pple Magazine as she says is "a great platform for us to share our stories and opinion on things, considering the fact that most times we were not given the platform to do so" with this she adds in "working with them has led me to meet really cool people in the community and to great opportunities." Not only is it a safe space, their own platform, but a community that welcomed Damaris and many others to join. Of course, with everyone working together she shares with us "right now we are working on something really exciting and I can't wait for the release! I’m really proud of the illustrations I made and can’t wait for people to see them." I certainly cannot wait for the release and what's to come. I'd be happy to support in any way I can as well. This, of course, is an opportunity due to the Cr*pple Magazine's recent Instagram post stating "Cripple Magazine is the first-ever disabled teen-led magazine, and our goal is to offer real representation and publish honest narratives about what it's like to be young and disabled." Setting a platform for any contributor with no needed experience at all! Finishing it off with "we want your voice to be heard" which has a lot of offer to the community and hopefully flourishes beautifully.
When it comes to the local scene in the valley we want to see it grown and become a community to support local as Damaris says "the local art scene is slowly growing, from cafe shops/bars showing our work to teaming up with other artists and making an art show, we're slowly putting ourselves out there." It is definitely growing I mean we recently raised enough funds for Yerberia Cultura which had online concerts on Facebook hosted by Sketch Booking and it shows how much people care about it. It is growing and the more platforms for the local scene to pop up hopefully open as well which Damaris states "I feel like everyday people in the Valley are starting to appreciate the art scene more, and supporting us, which is nice to see." We are fighting to keep Cine El Rey and we raised enough money for Yerberia Cultura which are platforms for local musicians/artists that are just staples in our community. We appreciate what they do for us along with our venues such as Sauce House and The Cosmo House, Aficionado, as well as The Juice Box. There is more, but we are surely growing.
Here is some advice from La Dama she shares with y'all "I’d say just do what makes you happy, and continue pushing yourself, and IT’S OKAY TO TAKE A BREAK!!! I feel like as artists we think we need to make art every day, but it’s okay to take a break and chill for a bit. Also, have fun with what you make!! Art doesn't always have to be serious and perfect, especially when you're having a creative block, don’t stress yourself out with trying to make the perfect thing, I suggest either take a break or just make a random thing (I tend to draw my favorite memes lol it helps!)"
No matter who we are and as stated the obstacles and "obstacles" we overcome to continue doing what we love. La Dama shows us that fun can be had no matter what position you may be in. Keep doing you, everyone.
Last-minute update!
Damaris has also worked on photography! As she mentions the were photographs taken for class along with the help of her friend Brayan as she says "he'd help me take pictures since I can't lift my arms so I would tell him how I wanted them to be taken and then I would edit them" The cooperation of homies helping homies is always welcomed.
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