Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Paige Gandara-Valderas
Hi J. Paige, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was 17 years old (2012), I worked in downtown San Antonio at a movie theatre. Nearby, there was an art stand — I was intrigued and would come into work just a little bit early so I could see the magic: speed drawings. At the time, I did not know that the magic that I was actually seeing was an art form that I would later be so deeply engrained with; The art of caricature peeked my interest.
After watching these artists work, I figured I’d go ahead and give it my shot and ask them how I could learn what they knew. I had already been an artist. There had never been a day in my life where I wasn’t drawing. It was my passion, and learning more was something that I sought to do.
After asking, it only took a short while for them to call me in for a preliminary interview. Jeff Pecina, decided to take me under his wing and taught me caricatures 1:1 for about a month on the San Antonio Riverwalk before I started doing them on my own.
I worked at the caricature art stand through the summer, learning and refining — before starting my freshman year in college. Though I had to part ways with the stand that I started with so that I could focus on my academics, I carried this skill with into this new chapter in my life.
I wanted to become better, so I would set up my easel in my dormitory hall at St. Mary’s University and just draw for fun; to practice and do what I love.
Eventually, me drawing in the dorms led to my hall director catching me and saying, “you know Paige, you can do these here on campus at our events?”
This opened the door for me into gigging on campus. One thing led to another. I met a person at one event who said, “can you do my birthday party?” …and at that party I met another person who worked for a business who did company events, and so on and so forth. I gained a new opportunity every time and I was so grateful.
In 2017, I graduated St. Mary’s University with my BA in Art Education, and became a high school art teacher. I still continued to do caricatures, and I even started an after school caricature club during my first year teaching; I taught student how to do caricatures and we would work our campus fall festivals and prom.
In 2018, I attended the Poteet Strawberry festival, and I met a group of traveling caricature artists who recruited me on their team even though all I could commit to for traveling was during the summers since I taught during the academic school year. Joining Uncommon Caricatures allowed me to expand my network within the caricaturist community. It also gave me so much life experience: traveling the country, drawing alongside some of the best artists in the world, and improving my craft.
In 2019, I participated in my first ever caricature convention through the International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA – caricature.org). There Ii was able to connect with other caricature companies and also gig with them.
in 2020, I was a guest presenter for ISCA during covid where they allowed presenters to connect artists of all kinds across the world through instruction, guidance and activities related to the art of caricature.
In 2021, I was nominated and voted onto the ISCA Board of Directors as the secretary.
In 2021, I graduated graduate school with an MA in Art Education from the University of Texas at Austin — where I produced, wrote and designed a 100-page caricature book titled “Caricatures At-A-Glance: A Resource for Art Educators” as my thesis project. I was able to combine my two passions, which is art education and caricatures.
In 2022, I became the ISCA editor for their quarterly publication, “Exaggerated Features,” where I designed, wrote and published their magazine. I was also the founding editor for the very first ISCA compendium, which launched in November 2023 to ISCA members.
In 2023, I became a professor at St. Mary’s University
2024, officially established and formed my own LLC as a caricature business owner, Color Bee LLC. I have big plans for my business — combining my background in education to offer enrichment opportunities for the San Antonio community.
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?
I think some of my biggest struggles that I had to overcome was my confidence and the notorious “imposter syndrome.” Keeping in mind, I have been doing caricatures from 17 years old, to present, 30 years old. So I have done a lot of growing since then. I remember when I first wanted to open up my own little stand at a local flea market, the start up costs were a lot for me: buying chairs, canopy, display, my color. For an 18 year old, I was very proud of myself and grateful for my mom and dad for helping me with my set up.
Another challenge that I came across — was when I first joined the traveling caricature artists. I was drawing alongside other artists, which was nothing like I had ever experienced before. They were some of the best artists in the world, and it was hard for me to believe (at the time) that I was “good enough to draw with them.” Of course I was young, and I needed to learn the life lesson “yes, you’re always good enough and you belong.” Drawing alongside them actually helped me learn tips and tricks and they all became life long friends!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many hats in the world of “creative.” I am a high school art teacher, professor, caricature artist, and creative writing for publications. I would say I am most known for caricatures though. A lot of people tend to ask me, “Is this the only art that you do?” and my typical response is, “no, it’s just what I am most known for/in demand for — people always want my caricatures, so that’s what I produce the most.”
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about my city is the culture and the people. I think especially being an art educator has allowed me to see all the wonderful creativity and talent that we have in our city. No matter what socioeconomic background, I truly feel that talent is something that people do not hide. There’s a sense of pride in our community, no matter what barriers are faced or thrown out at you. I love that that we are in the heart of Texas, and that it truly gives a sense of “home.” Even to those who move here from elsewhere. It always brings me joy to hear others say how much they love San Antonio.
Something that I dislike — is the disparities across the different sides of town. I was born and raised on the Southside and recently moved North. It is such a wild experience to now have live on both sides of town. It has really opened up my eyes just how much of a lack of resources and/or convenience exists across the two different sides of town. It’s something that I hope to see improved: resources, infrastructure, care, between the different sides. Though, I truly feel that art has a power to connect and I would love to see that one day within our own city.
Pricing:
- Events (Color Sketches): $225/hr – 15 faces drawn per hour
- Events (Black & White Sketches): $175/hr – 20 faces drawn per hour
- Commission (Color Faces): $40/face
- Commission (Black & White Faces): $20/face
- Custom requests: Paper size/type, logos added, themes, wedding display, etc: $50+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colorbeellc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorbeellc/
- Facebook: @colorbeellc
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/jpaigeart/
