Check Out Andrea Galvez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Galvez.

Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My memory tracks back to the moments that I sat in a classroom, and all I could express were doodles and drawings with a pen and a paper. I would draw continuously, expressing many emotions unto a piece of paper. I would sometimes navigate into a quiet meditative state of mind where my art became a language for me. As I matured from a child to a teen, art became a medium of liberating self-expression. Whenever I felt pain, discomfort, confusion, or a disconnection to life, I would access this place inside of me that would translate into very organic and vibrant drawings. They felt so alive and natural to me. I would tell people that bright colors were in my blood!

During high school, art inspired me to follow through with an art education career path in college. Since I had noticed so many of my friends were involved in drugs, drinking, and wild behavior, I knew that I wanted to use art to help people re-connect with themselves in a healthy and creative way. Soon after I fulfilled my educational goals, I began to teach art to kids, youth, adults, elders, and so on. I spread art throughout different parts of the world including in Cambodia during my college days. I started creating my own curriculum and teaching with a passion to help humanity. During the age of 25 I started my own business known (at the time) as Conscious Painting where I would teach meditation and painting as an experience for adults to reconnect with themselves.

As I taught art, I evolved into my personal paintings more and more. Eventually, I got married and had my first-born by the age of 27. This changed my life drastically as I stopped working and dedicated myself to my growing family. Nothing stopped me from creating and making art on the side. By the age of 33, my husband and I had a total of four girls. During the birth of all of my children, I also birthed my new business known as, Yo Soy Tierra.

Yo Soy Tierra became a love story for the world because as it transformed me, it also touched peoples hearts in many ways. Yo Soy Tierra was inspired by the inner work that I did on a personal level. Some of darkest nights turned into self-discovery, which then turned into healing, followed by inspiration to create a new art illustration or painting. My deep inner work helped me realize that I could serve humanity by creating images that connected to everyone in many ways and that translated what we feel as we navigate life. By 2023, I started signing up to pop-ups and markets where I would share my story through my art.

People started connecting to my art more and more, and the images that I created would often trigger an emotion in the audience. The emotional connection started to motivate people to purchase my artwork for themselves and for their loved ones. Through the birth and growth of Yo Soy Tierra, I soon realized my calling and that is to serve humanity by creating images that remind us of who we are within. My most current work in most noticeable by its vibrant colors, faceless details, and connection to my Mexican culture.

Today, I exhibit my paintings in various local art galleries and I still participate in markets where I am able to connect directly with individuals to share my story. I also have some of my digital illustrations for sale at local boutiques and gift stores.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of my greatest struggles during the birth and growth of Yo Soy Tierra were self-doubt.

During the beginning of my business, I experience my first “bad” pop-up. I had worked hard in prepping my material for this pop-up in East Los Angeles, and the day of, I barely made any profit. I was so discouraged that I told my husband that I didn’t want to do the next one. Thankfully, he encouraged me to just do it and surprisingly, that following pop-up ended up being a very successful one!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a visionary creative artist, I specialize in digital illustrations and acrylic paintings on canvas. I am most recognized for my faceless art and vibrant colors. My purpose behind leaving facial features out is to express something that is beyond the physical realm and more universal. Through my art, I truly believe that I am creating reminders in the heart of humanity of the essence of love that we are.

I am most proud of my personal growth regardless of the changes that I’ve encountered through the last few years, Some of the challenges such as becoming a home-school mom to my little ones and moving away from my child-hood home into Los Angeles have really shacken things up. I’m proud and grateful to still find the part inside of my that grounds me to my truth and who nurtures my inner self with unconditional love. I’d like to inspire other mother artists to find that balance between motherhood and business just like I currently am. I believe it all starts with self-belief.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First off, my dear husband who has been my number one rock. He has believed in me since the start back when I was doing art walks. He would attend them and carry my easel back to my car that was parked blocks down the streets.

Also, my dad who told me to create even if my art was weird to others.

My sister who attended my events and always gives me new business ideas.

Most recently, my friend Diana who is a powerful stronghold for the city of Montebello, CA. She has been doing amazing work for other women entrepreneurs by creating opportunities for them to get recognized for their work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yosoytierra.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: @_yosoytierra_