Meet Cherine Mendoza of Shop Cherine in Whittier

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherine Mendoza.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started getting into sketching in 8th grade. I was intrigued by the graffiti style art that I had seen around town. I was always known as the girl who can draw and did good on my art projects. In high school, I started to paint on backpacks with puffy paint and it became a “thing”; lots of my friends wanted their names painted. After graduating high school, I attend community college and was going towards my degree in fine arts but back then as a single mom, my family wanted me to get into the medical field. I was told that I could never make it as an artist just painting, that I needed a more stabled career path. I knew I did not want to get into the medical field so I switched my degree to graphic designing. In 2011, I started to face paint, my cousin had told me one time that “If you don’t have a job, create one” and that stood with me. My husband, who I was dating back then, booked my first party with out telling me and it was horrible lol. I got paid so that was good! He seen something in this face painting venture and encourage me to learn and book more parties, so I did and I’ve been painting ever since. I eventually got to face paint for celebrities such as Draya Michele, Omarion, Jessica Hall and Cruz from Power 106.

In November of 2017, after hearing one of Gravy Vee’s rant, I posted my first backpack painting of Frida Kahlo! It was so much of a hit that I was receiving orders. It was then that I knew my art would be loved and people would buy it. I started to put out more of my art on Instagram without the fear of rejection. Once I got over the fear that people might not like my art, it was then that I saw a difference. In January of this year, I got to paint a Lamborghini through my cousin Alex who owns luxury Motoring and it changed the game! I used it to market my self and peopled gravitated to it such as George Lopez. I had the honor of painting a large Frida Kahlo painting for him which boosted my likes and followers on Instagram. Meeting him was phenomenal because he has been very supportive in getting my paintings and pieces out there. I am currently putting out canvas collections and painting BOLD AF backpacks for my BOLD AF collectors.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being a mom and wife is the hardest roles to take on and with wanting to have a career, it just adds more to my plate. I want to be a good mom and that means I have to be able to give my children my time, and that takes time away from painting. That’s ok because I have the help of my husband to balance that out. I still work part-time at a landscape architecture firm and go to school. I am having a hard time balancing all this but I know something has got to give. I plan on leaving my part-time job soon to be able to paint full time.

Shop Cherine – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Shop Cherine, you can book my face painting services for your child’s birthday party, purchase BOLD AF pieces such as backpacks and large canvas paintings.

I am most proud of being able to get the attention of high-end clients and celebrities because it validates that my BOLD AF style is loved and that I am a worth knowing artist. I think the fact that I am a mom who paints BOLD pieces sets me apart. I have heard that once your a mom you don’t paint anymore, you don’t do the things you are passionate about, it is true but I will not be that statistic.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is building relationships with those who buy my art… other than my family, growing my audience. I would also love to be financially stable with doing this full time. I dream of painting murals around the world as well, traveling and sharing my art! My talent has a greater meaning and I’m finding that out.

Pricing:

• Backpacks $180
• Canvas collections range from $300 -$500
• Custom canvas paintings range from $400-$1,200

Contact Info:

• Website: shopcherine.com
• Phone: 562-879-0034
• Email: cherinemendoza@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopcherine/?hl=en

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