Today we’d like to introduce you to Pilar G.a.
Hi Pilar, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Pilar, and I was born in Spain in one of the most beautiful cities culturally and artistically speaking. Since I was very young, I’ve always been interested in the world of art; in high school, it was one of my favorite subjects. Later, I studied Economics at university and worked at a consulting firm and a magazine in Madrid and Barcelona, respectively.
In 2011 I moved to USA.
Shortly after I moved, I began having back problems. I have a degenerative condition that requires surgery every so often, and to date, I’ve had four surgeries. This condition was what led me back to art and helped me reconnect with it. When I paint, I don’t feel pain, and I can imagine and create anything I want without limitations—something that doesn’t happen in real life.
Around 2015, I started painting with acrylics, and later with oils, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I discovered the world of colored pencils. I had always been fascinated by them as a child, but now I love them more than ever. This medium allowed me to capture everything I wanted to draw without having to get messy or use large canvases. Given my physical condition, this has been very limiting, but with colored pencils, I have no restrictions.
I started painting pets, flowers, and people, and gradually, I began getting clients who wanted me to capture their loved ones, favorite things, or beloved pets in my drawings.
Today, I consider myself very fortunate to be able to dedicate myself to this, and I hope to improve every day. My motto is: “I can paint my life with colored pencils.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been an easy journey to get where I am today. When I married my husband, I had to learn Italian, I have to say that my best teachers were my husband’s family.
Later, we moved to the United States—Ohio. The change in customs, food, the cold climate, having to learn a new language, and dealing with my back problems while taking care of my family and a husband who traveled constantly made it very difficult for me to adapt and find my place.
In 2015, we moved to Greenville, SC, where I currently live. I love this city—its people, the weather, and how international it is. This environment motivated me to pursue and develop my own artistic venture as a business.
Today, I speak three languages, hold American citizenship, and have found an artistic pursuit that I am passionate about—one I have taught myself from scratch. Despite the physical challenges and occasional inexperience, I can proudly say that I am achieving my goals.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an artist specializing in colored pencils. I create all my work based on my clients’ requests. Given my physical condition, I have developed a deep sense of empathy and love, and I greatly value people’s emotions, who they are, and what they express.
Painting with Colored pencils may seem simple, but to achieve realistic results, you need to know the technique and have a lot of patience. I can say that I like all brands of colored pencils; to me, they are like the world— the diversity of colors between them allows one to paint almost anything. It’s amazing how you can capture a reflection, a shine, or a shadow, as well as a 3D effect, with such a simple medium. For professional drawings, I only use professional brands, as their colors don’t degrade over time.”
When people ask me where I find inspiration for my artwork, I always say it comes from people and their emotions. For me, there is nothing more satisfying than capturing what my clients desire in a drawing—using paper and a medium as simple yet complex as colored pencils. Sometimes, seeing my clients cry or smile with emotion is an adrenaline rush for me because I completely understand how they feel.
Most of my clients request portraits of pets, flowers, food, fruits, and reproductions of paintings they find beautiful—but recreated with colored pencils. Recently, companies have also contacted me to draw logos or the products they sell, making most of my work custom commissions.
I work with all sizes, from the smallest pieces on Bristol paper to much larger formats. My prices range from $100 to $2,000 or more, depending on the size and the type of commission.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The only advice I can give from my personal experience is that if you love something and want to turn it into your business, just believe in it. Fight for it, visualize it, and put all your energy into it—one day, everything will align, and things will work out for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: Pilar GA
- Instagram: @piluka973
