Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Hernandez.
Hi Patricia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
HOLA! I am Salvadoran by nature and an immigrant by choice. I moved to Georgia in 2005 at the age of 19, starting from scratch to rebuild my life in terms of land, culture, and language. I’ve been navigating and thriving through these barriers ever since.
When I first arrived, I was at a stage where adulthood was beginning, and I was still finding my own identity while dealing with my immigrant and educational status. Unfortunately, I couldn’t pursue school as part of my social achievements. During this journey, I became a young mother and a single mother of two wonderful boys who push me every day to be where I am today.
In 2015, escaping from my previous mistakes and personal issues, I moved to the city. During this hard transition with my children, I reconnected with kids and reactivated my creativity. I took on small jobs as a hairdresser, and nanny while my kids were away, discovering a bit of freedom through making arts and crafts and teaching aspects of my Latin culture. I felt I could potentially use art to raise awareness of my diversity and share my immigration journey.
Almost 10 years later, my art has grown and touched many lives, including women, mothers, DACA students, and more. I owe this progress to the amazing art community that supports each other and helps break the stereotype of the “starving artist,” making art essential.
This resilience and drive motivate me to be PATL.SV. Atlanta has sheltered me, saved me from my traumas, and turned them into canvases, murals, and events that help heal our diverse community. I honestly couldn’t have done it without the incredible people, friends, schools, and organizations that listen to me.
In the long term, I would love to spread my message, brand, and journey beyond the city. However, I believe my mission here is to keep cultivating a space where my children and other young generations in Atlanta can also feel they can fly, dream, and thrive.
best
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
NO, AT ALL! Learning English was and is still a barrier sometimes, as the way how people receive my messages haha, also, being a female and BIPOC in a strongly conservative state as well. Opportunity-wise, I used to think my motherhood when my babies were small, was getting better the older they get.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a creative professional specializing in commercial, public, and residential murals. In addition to my mural work, I illustrate flyers and prints, making my art more accessible to a wider audience. I also curate group shows, organize markets, and conduct small workshops.
The work I am most proud of includes several murals that are highly visible and have helped establish my recognition in the community. Additionally, my proudest achievement is founding NUESTRA CREACION in 2019. This small creative organization has grown into a significant Latin group show every Latin Heritage Month, uplifting emerging Latin artists.
In the long term, I envision NUESTRA CREACION becoming a platform where new creatives and young artists can participate, grow, and thrive in the art world.
What sets me apart from others? I think my culture, the love of saving my inner child and healing among my circle of friends, artists colleagues, and the community.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
It is an interesting question I could ask a friend I guess, I thin I am an open book, especially on my social media speaking about single mom life as a thriving artist, my unapologetic accent and music also inspire me to art and create pop art. I think my dear audience loves the way I am bc I am very transparent, at least I am doing my best to be transparent in this imperfect life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://patlsv.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patl.sv/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-hernandez-30405a177/
