Meet Arianna Flores-Moya

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arianna Flores-Moya.

Arianna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m glad you’re here. Born into a strong, Puerto Rican family that has always encouraged self-expression, I’ve known to follow my passions from a very young age. My life growing up was always filled with music, delicious food, friends, and family. To this day, my Papi plays the guitar, bongos, and congas and you can hear his music softly spilling out of our home in the evenings.

The sound of brush strokes against a canvas reminds me of my maternal family as I come from a long line of painters. I desire to live through my individuality while simultaneously creating a safe space for others to do the same. I hope my art charges you with the same energy it gives me.

Artistry is in my blood. It serves as a therapeutic outlet to navigate my feelings that I often bottle up. I have learned more about myself and how I view the world through artistic expression more than any other external source. In hindsight, I realized throughout life, anytime I was stressed out or feeling overwhelmed, I turned to drawing and painting.

I started my artistic journey in middle school through the performing arts. I continued doing theatre through college and graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Attending a liberal arts college gave me the opportunity and flexibility to explore all mediums of art in a safe learning environment.

“All art should inspire and evoke emotion. Art should be something you can actually feel.” – Chris DeRubeis

I always knew at some point in my life I wanted to find a way to express my creativity while being a business owner. After I graduated college, I discovered my gift in visual arts and the real spark to open Evokeaholic Art Shop was when I discovered Giselle Ibarra, otherwise known as Sincerely Art on Instagram. I was inspired by her surreal-styled paintings and her work ethic. I had this feeling in my soul that I could paint something in this style that I had so quickly grown to admire.

That is when I decided to pick up a paintbrush again and thus my first piece “The Truth” was born. I unleashed a new part of myself that would guide me to become the independent, creative, and driven Latina woman I always dreamed of becoming. I knew at that moment I was living in my gift and over the next few months, I decided to turn it into the opportunity to be my own boss.

The ability to build a safe, inclusive community where I can evoke an emotional response through my art and start a global dialogue is the true meaning of art to me.

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” – Brene’ Brown

I have gone on to co-write, produce and act in a comedy web series, “Multi-Hyphenates,” I wrote with my best friend, Khaya Fraites. The web series is about two up-and-coming artists navigating a current-day pandemic, New York City. Who, like us, have to wear many hats to follow their dreams. I was able to feature my artwork in the pilot episode as my character Celeste is a painter.

As a Multi-Passionate person, I follow my bliss because I am the only one who can bring my dreams to life. They were placed in my heart and mind for a reason. I’m excited to see my growth as I continue to evolve and hope that Evokeaholic inspires you to follow your intuition, practice self-growth, and healing, and live fully and unapologetically in your gift. I’m glad you’re here.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Art is means of survival. It gives me space to understand and empathize with myself and the world. Art is everything and everywhere. We are innately art. We were once a thought that was brought to life. I create because it is my breath, my soul, and my purpose.

Painting continues to teach me an abundance of life lessons with each brushstroke. The main lesson being we are the creators of our own lives. We hold the paintbrush. Each brush stroke is a pathway and at any time I can decide to change course. In the midst of the pandemic, I decided to take charge of my life and become my own boss. Thus my business, Evokeaholic Art Shop was unleased. It definitely is no small feat, but I am proud of myself for continuing to push through the obstacles to build towards a brighter future.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was realizing I wasn’t just creating art anymore; I had to learn how to run a business from the ground up. It was up to me to get up every day and show up for myself. It requires a lot of hours of research and self-development. At any point I could quit, but then what? Asking yourself these questions on your low days helps you remember why you chose this path in the first place.

Developing a foundation of self-credibility will set you up for long-term success because you can trust yourself. The process can be overwhelming at times, but there is no better feeling than creating your purpose. We cannot let uncertainties of life hold us back because they will always be a part of the journey. I don’t quit… I adjust. Becoming a business owner at a young age has taught me a lot about identifying/understanding ego, self-discipline, and time management. I have had to become my own cheerleader and push through when self-doubt creeps in. Like many artists, I have struggled with the concept of imposter syndrome.

I have come to realize it is an act of self-sabotage through the mediums of meditation, journaling, and self-love. You have to allow yourself to be seen. I would say that is the most difficult part of the whole journey. You have to open yourself up to blessings and opportunities. You have to believe you deserve a beautiful life. We often try to convince ourselves that we are inauthentic because we are inspired by other people and things that already exist.

The piece we forget is that we are innately authentic by just existing. Authenticity is perception. My life mission is to feel my power and help others feel theirs too. It is important to me to actively live in my gift and my purpose.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Multi-Passionate creative at heart! My loves are theatre/film performance, visual arts, content creation, and modeling. Art has an awe-inspiring way of transcending boundaries by way of communication on the deepest, most long-standing level.

I have been in commercials for GMU, ECPI, and the 2020 Census PSA. I have been blessed to work on many professional sets such as Dopesick, Gravediggers, and VA Lottery. I co-wrote, produced, and acted in the comedy web series, “Multi-Hyphenates.” The whole year I spent making promotional content, managing Instagram accounts, fundraising, traveling, and prepping/filming our Pilot Episode. I am a part of the content creator program for “Hija de Tu Madre,” and “GingerMilk Natural Haircare,” Latina-owned businesses.

I also am an ambassador for Blessed Protein, which aspire to inspire their community to live healthier, happier, and active lives. It brings me joy to work with these companies because they all have the mission to empower others to embrace the best versions of themselves! All of these amazing opportunities required a lot of time, dedication, and self-belief. See your visions through… you won’t be disappointed. What will disappoint you is all the dreams you let pass you by.

As a Latina artist, it is important to me to uplift and support other artists and entrepreneurs. I aim to create art/content that helps others feel their power! I believe my ability to listen and help inspire others to see the bigger picture is my greatest superpower. It is my mission to be the reason someone feels seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.

I am most proud of the fact that I follow my dreams every day. I show up for myself regardless of how I’m feeling. I put my heart and soul into everything I create. The most inspiring aspect of being an artist is even after
I’m gone, my art and the way I made people feel will live on. Art surpasses the concept of time. Living in my truth and my authenticity as an artist is the most gratifying sentiment.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have a great support team next to me! First off, my parents (Jeanette Flores and Daniel Flores) and my younger sister, Nydia Flores-Moya. My parents have given me endless emotional and financial support in this journey. My parents have blessed me with the time and space to create something bigger than myself.

It is important to them that my sister and I live the happiest and truest versions of ourselves. They have always encouraged us to follow our dreams and bring them to fruition. My sister is the absolute best! She would drop everything she is doing to help me with my art. She is my photographer, assistant, creative partner, and best friend. Nydia embodies all that is good in the world. I am so grateful for my family!

I have been blessed with a team of artistic and driven friends. My best friends, Khaya Fraites and Pree Parikh go to extreme lengths to encourage and assist me in any of my out-of-the-box ideas. They are always up to the challenge and contribute the most helpful and creative perspectives. They have a way of making it all so easy. Anytime I am in a creative rut, Pree takes me to a hidden water spot and we meditate and journal.

Those moments of stillness have a way of revealing what you’ve been searching for. When I mention a crazy idea like making a web series, Khaya doesn’t give it a second thought. She is ready to take it on with me as an equal collaborator and friend. I never have to ask… they are just there. It is vital to surround yourself with people who love and support you unconditionally. It will make your journey of life much more joyous and abundant!

Pricing:

• Art Prints ($20-$35) per print
• Holographic Stickers ($4)
• Hand-Painted Journals ($30)

Contact Info:

• Email: evokeaholicartshop@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.evokeaholicartshop.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evokeaholicartshop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evokeaholicartshop
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7WT3s1HN3pmxenN6T4-RvQ

Image Credits:
Jason Cortez
Nydia Flores-Moya
Iris Johnson
Khaya Fraites