Conversations with Sonia Tepas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Tepas.

Hi Sonia, 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?
Since I was a child, I’ve always chosen the artistic route as a form of expression. Whether it was through paint, music, dance, design, or simply play, creativity was always how I naturally connected with myself and the world around me.

In high school, I found myself covering the backs of my worksheets with mandala-like patterns and repetitive designs. My geometry teacher, who ended up being one of the teachers who impacted my creative journey the most, noticed what I was doing and pulled me aside one day. Instead of reprimanding me for “vandalizing” her worksheets, she encouraged me to keep going. She shared that she had been doing professional henna designs on the side for years and encouraged me to embrace the patterns I was creating.

That small moment stayed with me. From there, I started embracing those doodles more intentionally and quickly moved from filling worksheets to creating larger, more experimental canvases. For almost a decade, those canvases remained private. It wasn’t until 2023 that I finally decided to put my work out into the world.

I started creating wherever I could, eventually turning a makeshift space in my home into my own little studio. That space became a place where I could experiment, build, and develop my work freely. As my practice grew, so did my need for a dedicated space of my own. Eventually, I found myself opening up that space to other artists who were looking for the same thing – a place to create, experiment, and build their own worlds.

That need for space, community, and creative freedom was something I shared with other people around me. So, alongside other community members who felt the same and had similar needs, we decided to create the kind of space we wished existed… and that’s how JAMM Gallery was born.

Since opening in 2024, JAMM has grown into a space for artists, musicians, performers, small businesses, and community members to come together. At the same time, I’ve continued developing my own practice and SONZWORLD through exhibitions, collaborations; murals, events and even being invited as a guest speaker for Career Day at local elementary schools two years in a row. My work has reached audiences in local classrooms, different cities and even internationally through exhibitions and opportunities in places like London and Times Square!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. I don’t think there’s anything smooth about choosing a creative path, especially when you’re trying to build something that doesn’t already have a blueprint.

A big part of the struggle has been time management and balancing all of my roles. Being an artist, a mother, a business owner, curator, and event organizer means there are a lot of moving pieces. Childcare and finding the time to actually create while also curating exhibitions and producing events can be challenging. There are definitely days where I’m switching between completely different hats and trying to give each one the attention it deserves.

JAMM has also come with its own challenges. Building and maintaining an independent creative space takes lots of work behind the scenes that people don’t always see. From keeping doors open to creating opportunities for other artists, there have been moments where it felt overwhelming. At the same time, one of the most rewarding parts has been meeting artists outside of Jersey and finding ways to make JAMM feel welcoming to people from across the bridge and beyond. While there may come challenges in building those connections, there’s also so much fun and inspiration that comes from bringing different creative communities together.

There isn’t always funding, resources, or a clear next step; so sometimes you have to create the opportunity you wish existed. I think the road has been anything but smooth, but the obstacles have forced me to become more resourceful, adaptable, and confident in trusting my own direction.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is rooted in color, pattern, nature, spirituality, ancestry, and storytelling. I’m a self-taught mixed-media artist, and my practice has evolved through experimentation with acrylic paint, spray paint, paint markers, digital collage, and recycled materials. I’m especially known for my bold use of color, intricate linework, eyes, stars, foliage, and my signature Sonzbloom – a recurring symbol that has become a recognizable part of my visual language and universe.

My Salvadorian heritage also naturally finds its way into my work. Sometimes it’s intentional, and other times it comes through subconsciously in the colors, patterns, symbolism, and overall energy. I’ve had people describe my work as giving them a nostalgic feeling, almost like it reminds them of something they can’t quite put their finger on. I love that because I think color has the ability to unlock memories and emotions in a way that words sometimes can’t.

A lot of my work feels like stepping into another dimension. I’m interested in creating dreamscapes that are energetic, psychedelic, and sometimes chaotic, while still feeling grounded in nature, ancestry, and my own experiences. SONZWORLD is an extension of that idea – a world where the artwork can expand beyond a traditional canvas into murals, installations, fashion, decor, and immersive experiences.

What I’m most proud of is developing a visual language that feels distinctly my own, while also inspiring people to want to create for themselves. Sometimes someone will see my work and say, “I want to try that,” or feel like they want to create their own little world. That response means a lot to me.

I think what sets me apart is that I don’t want art to feel untouchable. A big part of my practice is inviting people into the process through play—letting go of expectations, trusting intuition, and allowing yourself to simply see what happens. I’ve hosted workshops where people are invited to color and create their own Sonzbloom, giving them the opportunity to experience my technique rather than just observe the finished product.

For me, art is about both creating a world and reminding people that they have the ability to create one of their own, especially to the Youth.

How do you think about luck?
I think I’ve been incredibly lucky when it comes to the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve been fortunate to be received with open arms, whether the initial connection was rooted in business, collaboration, or simply a shared appreciation for each other’s work. Some of the artists I’ve connected with are people whose work I was already a fan of or whose values and creative energy really resonated with me. Those connections have often grown into much deeper relationships.

I’ve also been lucky to find so much support within the arts community in New Jersey. A lot of the people I’ve met through art have become my closest friends, collaborators, and the people I work alongside today. We’ve built a really close-knit circle that continues to support one another while working toward a shared goal: expanding Jersey’s creative community and creating more opportunities for the generation coming after us.

I don’t necessarily see luck as something that just happens to you, though. I think you have to be open enough to recognize it when it shows up, and willing to nurture the relationships and opportunities that come from it. Some of the best things in my life and business have come from simply saying yes, showing up, and being open to meeting someone new.

Of course, there have been moments where things didn’t work out, partnerships didn’t align, or opportunities didn’t go the way I hoped. But even those experiences have redirected me toward people and situations that were better suited for where I was headed. So if I had to define my luck, I’d say I’ve been lucky to find my people – and even luckier that we found each other at a time when we could build something together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sonzworld.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniastagramss/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/jamm.gallery/