Today we’d like to introduce you to Loretta Pena.
Hi Loretta, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My entire work career was in the insurance industry. It was during my employment with the last insurance company I worked for that I had a severe anxiety attack that landed me in the hospital emergency room. I honestly thought I was having a stroke or heart attack. The doctor that examined me said that I was having a severe anxiety attack. Looking back at the responsibilities I had with this company, I was surprised that a crisis like this did not happen sooner. I was overworked and I cannot say it was entirely my employer’s fault. I was what you would call a “yes” person; a pleaser. Because I was that worker, I opened myself to being overworked and used to the fullest. It was then that I knew I had to make a decision on whether to continue being miserable or do something entirely different. I started therapy and painting and have not looked back since. I started my art journey in 2021 and have participated in several exhibitions around the world and have been blessed with a large following on Instagram who support and encourage me. I have never been happier.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It actually has been a smooth road. I think this is because I don’t know any better. I do not have any formal training. I am a self-taught artist. It’s easy when you don’t know the rules. I didn’t even know what it meant when a gallery would ask me what medium did I use. I didn’t know what contemporary art really meant. I knew nothing. I googled everything.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a painter that specializes in colors and emotions. This stems from a very difficult childhood. I was bullied at school from a very early age and my home life was very sad. My parents fought everyday and I was their referee for as early as I could remember. I turned to my Crayola crayons and coloring books to tune out my awful world. I love bright colors. That is what I am known for, What I am most proud of is how I am able to transfer my deepest emotions onto a canvas and I think this is also what sets me apart from others. I am unafraid to use bright, bold colors because I don’t create paintings to sell them. I create them to make myself feel better.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The first person I have to give credit to is my therapist Dr. Manmeet Rattu. She encouraged me to leave the house and challenged me to do things I wouldn’t normally do. I was an introvert until I worked on myself with her. She is the reason why I had the courage to join exhibitions. She is also the reason for me being comfortable enough to post my first photo of myself on instagram. I was that damaged. I owe all of my new found confidence to her. I also have to give credit to my son Adam. He believed in my art so much, he encouraged me to create an Instagram profile. If not for him, I would have never done it. Instagram was the platform that launched my art journey. Without Instagram, I would not have been exposed to the art world and the artists that support me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artpiecebypeace.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artpiecebypeace/
