Our makers never fail to motivate us, encourage our creativity, and fill us with inspiration. So, when a new design enters our assortment, we’re always excited to learn more about the people behind the product.
What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Sofia Batiz, the artist behind our new Embroidered Sunburst Cuffs.
When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I don’t remember not being one. One of my first memories is me drawing. Growing up, I never doubted what I wanted to be, because I already was. I thought all people somehow knew. Only later in life did I come to the sad realization that most people don’t know what they want to be, even in their thirties, and sometimes even later. I am an artist, always have been, I was born one. For a long time I was afraid to admit it, as if to say so, I was somehow being pretentious. But I understand today that I can’t be afraid to say who I am and show what is the best I can offer to this world.
What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
I’m not sure if I know the exact definition of “professional” artist. If it means commercializing your art, I could say that I became one when I was probably twelve years old. I started taking jewelry making classes in school and soon enough became the teacher’s helper because I was ahead of the class. She offered me a job after school helping her assemble pieces. I know this may sound awful there in the U.S., but this was in Mexico; she was friends with my mom and it was by no means child labor. I was excited!
I also started making my own, and my mom sold them from home. Since then I have never stopped, from making handbags to selling my paintings to creating my jewelry. I have no idea where all this will take me, but I am sure it will be rewarding and a great adventure.
What does your typical day in the studio look like?
I like to say that my whole life is my studio. I try to be creative in the way my space is arranged, in the way I dress, even in the way I do things during the day. I hate routines, so I’m always trying to change things up. Sometimes I go to the movies and see the first screening of the day. I love when I’m the only one in that big room. When you have a project like mine, you also become a businesswoman, so I do a lot of other things besides painting and designing. I also teach art whenever I am given the opportunity, and besides designing jewelry, I always have a painting or something in progress on the side just for fun.
Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
I am always wearing my bracelets, not only because I have to promote them, but because I truly love them. They remind me of who I am, and most importantly, who makes this possible and who I am trying to help – that I have to keep going, because behind every piece there is a woman and behind her a whole family.
4 of the 18 women in the group of Mexican artisans who work with Sofa Batiz. Left to right: Anita, Matiana, Cristina and Cuca.
I keep them near me as if through that I could keep these women near me. I can’t be up there in the mountains with them all the time, but the bracelets make me feel like they are holding my hand from a distance.
Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think they would say?
I think they’d say, “What’s this?” 🙂
What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
I have many, but I can think of two that always make me take the next step: “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take,” and “I have nothing to lose.”
The second one is so simple, but if we really think about it, most of the time we have nothing to lose and lots to gain. People sometimes call me impulsive, but I’ve never regretted any of my decisions.
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