Meet Blanca Cardenas | Illustrator

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

Hi Blanca, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Like many others in creative fields, the flair for the arts is something that has always called to me, be that in the form of music, dance, or illustrating. Of course, there were other career fields that I entertained and explored, but nothing has quite captured me as the arts have, where I eventually settled on illustration. It takes so much dedication, effort, and passion to explore and carefully craft a work of art, and through the countless hours of work, I can say that this career field is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is a challenge that I continue to find exciting each day and the sense of satisfaction after completing an artwork is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The wonderful thing about art is that the field is always evolving and changing, which is something that I always try to keep in mind for my own practice. I pride myself in always wanting to learn and grow what I already know, never afraid to explore new techniques or viewpoints. Through those explorations, I have gotten to meet so many incredible artists and educators that have helped me along the way to get to where I am now, in great part thanks to their invaluable advice. A common misconception about pursuing an artistic career is that it will be easy but that could not be further from the truth. There are so many hurdles to overcome and I have come to realize that I have to keep an open mind, practice patience, and learn to recognize when it is best to start over completely to be able to surpass the challenges. I have learned the value of dedication through the pursuit of this career, especially when inspiration is fleeting. My art and brand are not self-made. They are the culmination of countless hours of hard work put in by myself and my peers. They are molded by my experiences and how I see those around me. Art influences art and I am fortunate enough to be able to learn from and contribute to that endless cycle.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When exploring a city, I always look for a sense of diversity and an easygoing time. A great place to find that would be through the museums in the area, of which there are so many. The same applies to the culinary: something with a relaxing atmosphere where you can just sit back and enjoy, like the Heights Bier Garden and the Darkhorse Tavern, and for the sweet tooth, El Bolillo Bakery is the perfect place to go. A trip to Galveston is also a must for any trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My younger sister, Evelyn, has been a constant source of encouragement since we were children, whether she knows it or not, and my husband, John, is an enormous driving force that keeps me moving and making. Both of them have been incredibly supportive and caring as I have worked to nurture and develop my work. I would not have come as far as I have without their support and I am eternally greatful.

Website: https://www.becb-arts.com/
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