With the internet being so easy to access, it has become easier for independent artists to find an audience and let their work be known. As a result, a variety of movements, collectives, and scenes have found a way to pave their path. The independent art scene in Puerto Rico is no different. Recently, many artists from a variety of disciplines have found platforms that have made it easier for them to share their work. In addition, small businesses such as Electroshock in Santurce and Rio Piedras, bars like Off The Wall in Mayaguez, book stores like La Casita Books and Gifts in Aguadilla, Libros AC in Santurce and Libros 787 online, and independent festivals like Feria de Libros Independientes y Alternativos and Tintero: Festival de Cómics y Arte Independiente de Puerto Rico have provided up-and-coming artists a space to display their talents. “Puerto Rican Women Killing It in the Independent Art Scene” is a series of interviews that provides a glimpse at some of the women who have recently gained recognition in the art scene. Though the artists are asked similar questions, some are asked queries surrounding their work, specifically.
What’s your name and what do you do in the arts?
I am Hecmarilys Mercado Rivera, a plastic arts student current studying in La Escuela de Artes Plásticas y Diseño de Puerto Rico. I currently focus on painting, but I love experimenting with various mediums. I use a lot of mix media to express an artistic style completely inspired by nature, the senses and thoughts.
What got you into the visual arts?
Since I was a child, I always loved painting and drawing. Ever since approximately 2009, I started taking drawing and painting courses, but it wasn’t until I entered high school in La Escuela Especializada en Bellas Artes in Cayey that my passion for it truly emerged.
How did you develop your style?
In the visual arts workshop in my high school I had one of my best experiences in the arts, which I call the birth of my style. I started creating lots of art in a flexible and free way, while still accomplishing the goals set by the courses. I covered a bit of everything; from drawing, painting to sculpture and engraving, some of which I would later incorporate in my paintings. Ever since then, I have started working with mixed media and creative projects. I think the freedom provided by my teacher was one of the elements which allowed to find my style, enjoy it, support it and continue developing it.
How has it evolved through the years?
Since my early paintings, I’ve always used lots of color and lines that make good contrasts between the shape. Meanwhile, nature has always served as inspiration. When I started, I would paint many landscapes, but in a very traditional way and without much knowledge about art. Later, I started falling in love with patterns, zentangle art, and mandalas. When I started finding my style, I created various mandalas. Then I incorporated many organic and nervous lines which are found a lot of in my work today. I also started playing with color a lot in the lines still without knowing all of the power color can provide. Beyond lines, I have always loved the fusion of bright colors and good diffusions. After entering the Escuela de Artes Plásticas, my style has grown a lot in terms of techniques, composition, use of color and other things. I feel like I have learned a lot because of experimentation; I have found things which have helped me grow and enjoy the process even more. Today, I am constantly creating and studying new things. There is still lots to learn that I wish to someday apply in order to continue contributing to a much more complete and professional style.
What are some of your influences and inspirations?
My biggest inspiration at the time of creating will always be nature, from what’s here to what’s out there in the cosmos and what’s found in the deepest depths of one’s self. I am also inspired by impressionism, surrealism, and psychedelia. Many artists on Instagram have also served as inspiration.
Is there any other form of art you wish to pursue? If so, what field and why?
I am very interested in photography and textiles. I would love to work on them individually and later complement them with my paintings in order to create works that go beyond what I already do. I would also love to explore tattoos. I love linework and that’s something I see myself doing in that field.
What do you think about the current state of the arts in Puerto Rico?
There’s a lot of talent and a lot of it is underground. Art in Puerto Rico needs and deserves more recognition and support by the people and the government. There should be more opportunities and expos for artists. Nevertheless, there have been a lot of accomplishments and artistic movements which have transcended.
What do you think about the current state of the independent scene in Puerto Rico?
Independent art in Puerto Rico is, for the most part, supported by festivals and events made by the same communities and local businesses. They are good opportunities to have people connect with the art and artists behind it as well as the collectives and the movement as a whole.
If a young girl came up to you and said she wanted to be an artist, what would be your advice for her?
I would tell her to do what she loves without caring about what others say. There is always going to be someone who don’t believe in art as a profession and lifestyle, but a lot of times it’s because they didn’t try to do it or they weren’t allowed to do what they really wanted in life, or simply because they don’t understand it. What’s really important is believing in one’s art, being ambitious, passionate, loving every step of the process and continue learning.
What is your biggest goal right now?
My biggest goal right now is finishing my studies in the Escuela Artes Plásticas. I want to continue learning techniques, mediums, art history, other visual fields, etc. I wish to be very prepared professionally in this field because I truly love it and want to live from it. Currently, I have many ideas for artistic proposals in mind that I wish to develop, some of which include series of pieces and others individual expos. I also want to be part of an artistic collective and create projects alongside other artists. On another note, I also wish to produce in order to sell, participate in more art and culture festivals and, if possible, have my own website with my own portfolio and online store. There are many things I wish to explore and experiment with, be it here or travelling.
What do you seek to achieve with work?
I want more people to know my work while continuing to grow and evolve, not only artistically but as a person. I also wish to live out of this and never stop learning. I want to be a good example that one can live out of art and do whatever one desires without having to bother about what others think because at the end of the day happiness is what truly matters.
All of the pictures in this article were provided by Hecmarilys Mercado Rivera