Meet Adriana Fallas | Artist and Businessperson

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adriana Fallas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adriana, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
For me, balance is everything. both in my personal and professional life. Looking back, I can see how my balance and my focus changed over the years. Life is so dynamic. Sometimes we might think that we have everything under control. But we need to be able to adjust ourselves, especially when the changes are mayor. Being a businessperson, I had to regain balance when I started my family with my husband and became a mom. It was clear to me that my two girls were my priority, and I didn’t doubt to work from home. Even though there were a lot of challenges and endless evening working hours I don’t regret it at all. I am so lucky that I was able to be with them during the most valuable moments of their childhood. As they grew independent, I found myself exploring different paths for self-expression in the art world. I am constantly in a re-focus and re balance search.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Even though, business and management were my main career path, art has always been part of my life and it’s become a much greater force of self-expression since I moved to Houston in 20214. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to a Jewish family. My roots and identity as a Jewish Latin woman and mother bring me to each piece. My inspiration evolves around elements that represent my identity. Pomegranates, Menorahs, Mosaics and Mate cups. Pomegranates and Menorahs are essential symbols in my expression of Judaism. Mosaics carry aesthetic value that speaks to my Sephardic heritage. Finally, Mate is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink which is drunk in specialty cups called Mates that I enjoy making.
Part of my process is to contemplate and meditate about the art pieces I want to bring to life, and that happens at all times, even when I am working on other tasks.
Self-expression and the experimentative quality of art making drives me to create. I find joy in the process of searching for new ways to fulfill my curiosity. For me, art is a mental exercise where I practice my ability to be ok with failing and lack of control. My ultimate goal is to work in experimentation and finding new techniques for self-expression.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have been exploring Houston since I moved to this friendly city. When friends and family come to visit, that gives me a fun excuse to go back to my favorite spots. Of course, I take them to all the popular places, but there are some ones that are special for me. Houston has amazing places for the cultural and art mood:
-The renewed MFAH is amazingly rich in its offer. I could spend days touring its exhibits, especially the new building that features so many Latin American renowned artists.
-At The Menil Collection, both, their permanent and changing exhibitions are excellent. Its “friendly” size is perfect to come back again and again even when the time is limited.
-The Holocaust Museum Houston is a special place for me, where I volunteer every time, I have the opportunity. The Museum uses the lessons from the Holocaust and other genocides to teach the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and apathy.
-Chapel of St Basil (St Thomas Chapel) it is one of Houston hidden gems. Its architectural simplicity and gorgeous lines make this building one of my favorite’s places.
-Every now and then, AIA Houston offers Montrose area walking tours. Those tours are enlightening and a great way to do some walking while exploring the beautiful neighborhood.
For some places in Houston, you need to be at a specific time of the year:
-Don’t miss the Rodeo during March. It is an unforgettable experience for those that didn’t grow up in Texas.
-Birds’ migrations are huge in this part of the Planet. When the right time comes, I love to go to Anahuac State Park, about an hour out of Houston. The bird watching and the scenery are worth the trip.
-For parks lovers, Levy Park, Evelyn’s Park Conservancy, and the less known Willow Waterhole Greenway are prefect options when you want to spend time outside. They often offer fun activities and pop-up markets.
-One of my favorite things to do when I am in a foreign city/country is visit grocery stores. That gives me a quick idea of the “flavors” of the town. My friends and family visiting Houston love to go to some of the iconic and fun markets and grocery stores like Fiesta, Phoenicia, Trader Joes, and The Houston Farmers Market at Airline Dr. among many other.
-There are a few restaurants that I love, such as Lemongrass Cafe, McHugh Tea Room & Gifts, Sushi Wabi, Bistro Menil and Gugliani’s. Their prices are from non-expensive to moderate and they all offer a “not pretentious” kind of homemade food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my parents Mirta & Elías for being my very first pillars. Also, I am deeply thankful to my husband Luis and my daughters Yarden and Ely for their unconditional love, constant support and infinite encouragement.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AdrianaFallasStore

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rimon.cajol/

Image Credits
Ely German