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

Hi Analesa, why did you pursue a creative career?
Right after I graduated high school I went straight into getting an associates degree for medical office management. While still in school I was able to get my first job (ever) in a lab that couldn’t afford to pay me. I worked for a few medical practices from individual providers to larger corporations. Every single one of them had my mental health suffering. I would come home and be too drained and stressed to do anything other than eat or sleep. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety multiple times and felt like I didn’t have time to focus on anything creative. When the pandemic hit I was one of the lucky ones that was sent to work from home. I found working from home gave me the opportunity to focus on being more creative. I was able to quit my job to take photos and travel while getting paid to do so. No amount of money is worth going back to feeling like an easily replaceable robot. While I’m not making nearly as much as I was, I am able to constantly create. Expressing myself, pulling the ideas out of my head, and sharing them with the world is one of the greatest pleasures in my life. I’m currently working in a local coffee shop on a Thursday with a smile on my face. I have the freedom to do what I want, when I want.

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.
You know that saying ‘jack of all trades, master of none, but better than a master of one’? I have terrible imposter syndrome. I make these little floral letters that allow me to be crafty, I draw on an iPad that allows me to be ‘artsy’, and i have notebooks full of poems and thoughts. I am constantly expressing myself through art. I feel sometimes none of it is good. When I share anything I am always worried its not at the level it needs to be at. It took me a long time to take a leap of faith and trust in my abilities to start Analesa Art. I gave up on it for a few months, and stopped trying to promote it. My goal this year is to try to add more products and focus more on selling (which i am a terrible sales person). It hasn’t been easy but like I’ve mentioned my support system is wonderful. I can be creative with my photography job and come home and work on my business without feeling drained. I’m challenging myself to get out of my own way and exceed my own expectations. I think the biggest take away would be to trust in yourself. Believe you have everything you need to succeed and you will. The struggle will be worth its weight in gold when you’re happy doing what you love.

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.
If my best friend was visiting for a week and I had to make an itinerary for phoenix it would go as follows: Sunday: Brunch at Postino on central because the waiters there are always so friendly.
Monday: coffee at The black sheep followed by a walk /shopping around downtown Glendale
Tuesday: Tacos from La Santisima and a mid day visit to La Purisima bakery (bring cash)
Wednesday: A visit to the phoenix art museum, then The Giving Tree for dinner, and Nami for dessert.
Thursday: Visit Old Town Scottsdale for Native Art Market and support indigenous artist and creators and then Roku
Friday: The botanical Garden with snacks from home
Saturday: Downtown (phoenix) Farmers Market in the morning

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have an excellent support system, in general but also, creatively. Ever since I was a child I can remember my mother creating. I have memories of my mom and grandma knitting, or making something for someone. They both were very giving. When I have an idea and I’m struggling with the execution of it my mom is always there to help. My mom is a very crafty lady and watching her making things with some burlap and popsicle sticks is truly amazing. Although, I trust her more with the crafts part than the art part she has a great eye for the details I might have missed or never thought of. These days I trust my dear friend, Gloria, with art critiques. She’s the first one to see what I’m working on and always keeps it real. Recently I created something and she did not hold back on her feedback. I trust her opinion because she’s usually right about things, but don’t tell her I said that. I’ll send her something and ask what’s missing? and while i have a general idea of what needs to be added she just confirms it for me. She sees the vision and helps guide me.

Website: https://analesa-art.company.site/

Instagram: @analesa.art

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/analesa.art/posts/

Other: https://lnk.bio/Analesa.Art

Image Credits
Isabel – Saguaro Blossom Photography and Analesa – Analesa Art

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.