HARTFORD, Conn — Hartford-based Latina painter and graphic artist Majesty Reyes draws inspiration from her Puerto Rican upbringing and her experience as a queer woman.
"My recent collection has been a journey of various themes in my life which arose after facing significant financial struggles and failures that forced me to take a step back from pursuing my passion as a full-time artist in 2021," she said. "While I grappled with imposter syndrome for a while my collection then evolved into the theme of heartbreak. This period of turmoil ultimately became a catalyst for embracing my vulnerability and forging a new identity centered around my own happiness and fulfillment."
Reye’s painting, The Fool, is a depiction of the tarot card of the same name. It depicts a Jolly Venetian Mask in blue and white. These masks were often used to break free from societal structures. The left brow is marked with the angel number 444, thought to be a sign that you're ready to progress. The right is similarly marked with a 555. This is seen as a sign that a person is going to experience positive change, freedom, discovery, and growth. This links with The Fool tarot card, which means embracing new horizons.
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“The reason I chose to conceptualize this piece is because it was dealt to me at the end/beginning of a major chapter in my life. Just like the fool, I had no idea what my potential could unlock for me or the paths that I would end up on so I've used that as a reminder to embrace the unknown but to also have discernment," Reyes said.
A common theme in her paintings is clouds and eyes. Reyes said these symbols represent a connection to the higher self and the purpose of her journey.
"The theme I have focused on is one I intend on pursuing for a while since it's one that resonates a lot with my audience," she said. "While it simultaneously provides solace for my audience it has also had the power to heal parts of me and my inner child in the process. I intend to create work that provides a safe space for my truth as well as my communities."
Her upcoming showcase includes pieces influenced by Salvador Dali and Alice in Wonderland. On April 6, Reyes’s solo exhibition, Curious Corner, will open at Gentle Bull Studios in Hartford, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. She will also have unreleased prints and a poetry book for sale.
You can see more of Reyes’s work on her Instagram and her website. She does take private commissions and is expanding to private paint and sip workshops.
Ashley RK Smith is an assignment desk editor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at asmith@fox61.com
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