How I Found My Passion for Art—and Left Academia Behind
la siembra, drgartlab.etsy.com
If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d be running an art business instead of teaching in a university classroom, I wouldn’t have believed you. Back then, I was deep in my Ph.D. research, studying how artists in El Salvador used creative expression to represent the untold and sometimes unspeakable traumas of war. I thought my future plan was set; I’d become a professor, write papers, and teach about memory and Latin American history. But life had other plans.
The Moment Art Found Me
My Ph.D. work took me into the heart of El Salvador’s art scene—muralists, theater collectives, installation artists. At first, I was just a curious observer, interviewing artists and analyzing their work. But over time, something unexpected happened: I started to feel moved to create to explore my own memories of migration, displacement and war. My first piece was inspired by the aguacateros, the stray dogs of El Salvador that seem to bear silent witness to life around them. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt deeply personal. And with that, my love for art was born.
Life’s Unexpected Turns
After earning my degree, I faced a harsh reality. A divorce in my late 30s made it impossible to move for academic jobs, as I needed to stay close for my children. For a while, I felt stuck—grieving the career I thought I’d have and unsure of what to do next. I returned briefly to teaching high school, then transitioned to a remote job in digital publishing, where I learned tools like Photoshop and digital illustration. What started as a detour became an opportunity: I realized I could use these skills to tell stories and create art in a new way.
Finding Beauty in the Everyday
My art reflects the symbols and stories that shaped me: the vibrant colors of Latinx culture, the overlooked beauty in everyday objects, and the resilience of communities that persist through struggle. Much like Pablo Neruda found poetry in an artichoke, I find inspiration in calla lilies, talavera tiles, and the stray dogs that roam El Salvador’s streets. I love positioning the most common things in a way that makes them the focus of beautiful art.
Building Something Bigger Than Myself
Starting an art business wasn’t easy—I battled self-doubt and the fear that I was “too late” to start over. But through each challenge, I found reasons to keep going: the joy of connecting with others, the pride of sharing my heritage, and the belief that art can create community. Today, DR. G Art Lab is more than just me—it’s a growing circle of people who see themselves in my work and find meaning in the stories it tells.
Why This Matters
Art has given me a second chance to explore, connect, and create. Whether you’re here to browse or take home a piece of my work, I hope you feel the same joy and connection that making art has brought me. Thank you for being part of this journey—I’m so glad you’re here. You can visit me at drgartlab.com or drgartlab.etsy.com.
