Interview
Aileena Gallego
Aileena, 26 years old, is a self-taught acrylic and oil painter, nail artist, and salon owner. She recently began a journey into ceramic sculpture and creative directing.
Aileena is based in Oakland, California, and has been drawing since she was young. She started painting professionally six years, and has been selling original and commission pieces.
Aileena made her way into the beauty industry at the age of 22, after finishing manicurist school. She has worked as a nail artist for four years, and has been the owner of a salon for two years. Her passion for connecting with others led her to begin collaborating in production with other artists.
Aileena believes we are all given unique gifts for a reason, and that our purpose is to use those gifts to help others. To that aim, she has future plans to create a collective space for artists and the community at large to come learn and express themselves.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Artistry runs through my lineage. Growing up, I was surrounded by art. Creativity was instilled in me through observing my mom outwardly express herself through fashion and makeup, and the way she meticulously and creatively arranged the decor in the house. I learned from my grandfather through the stories he passed down, and the way he passionately spoke through the strings of his guitar, and coated the air in the room with the songs of his poetry, putting everyone around in a trance. My grandmother taught me to see God in everything, making all things deeply connected. So I began to see the world as a work of art—God’s art.
My other grandmother was an oil painter in her youth, and passed some artistic talent down to my dad, who had a very free spirit. When I was about eight years old, I started to notice my older sister take an interest in drawing. That inspired me to start sketching well-known cartoon characters. Throughout grade school, I was always the kid that would help make the theater props and the posters for group projects. I was even in charge of turning the cafeteria into a Parisian street for eighth grade graduation. In high school, I’d write my classmates’ names in graffiti and sell it to them. After high school, I began to paint with acrylic and really enjoyed how smoothly the brush would cover the surface area of the canvas.”
What inspires you?
“The world around me is my inspiration to create, but another big influence is music. Being a vocalist is the most vulnerable art form. You are the art; your emotion is on display for everyone to experience. Music touches everyone around. Unlike a painting or photograph, which doesn’t affect you when you’re not looking at it, sound waves chase you and surround you. You can feel emerged in the frequency of sound, and feel it through your body.
I’m always intrigued by the human body—the curves, and how the light caresses the skin. So I started to paint the musicians that I felt changed the trajectory of music in the world today such as Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, and Prince. I began going to events and renting a booth to sell originals and prints of my artwork.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“As I continued painting, I became interested in fashion and beauty. This led me to nail art, or what I call miniature masterpieces. I found it fulfilling to contribute to my clients’ artistic expression, and enjoyed the personal relationships we built spending hours together.
My heart’s desire is to have a shared experience of freedom of expression. This idea of connection led me to being a part of production, and now I’ve started working with teams of creatives to make editorial work. It’s truly the scrupulous details that many people glaze over that makes the masterpiece significant and iconic.”
How would you describe your work?
“I’d describe my work as original multimedia realism.”
“I use art as a way to connect with others and share an experience, and together, create a vision.”
Which artists influence you most?
“My favorite artist is Lauryn Hill. The wisdom in her words dance with the rhythm. I also like Erykah Badu because of her unapologetic depth.”
What is your creative process like?
“As a visual artist, I can draw emotion from colors, sounds, or patterns around me that motivate me to create, allowing others to experience the story I’ve envisioned. Something I see will spark an idea in me and I get a ‘That’s-So-Raven’ moment where I visualize it as if it’s already physically tangible.
Afterwards, I begin to look to other art or photographs to bring more inspiration to my own visions. The desire to bring these visions to life is so strong and exciting, it’s like a driving force that won’t be assuaged until completed. Ideas are like guests that knock on your door. When you envision the idea, you are opening the door to seeing who it is, and then you can decide to welcome the idea in and create it, or shut the door and it will go to someone else.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I believe creatives are tapped into a certain frequency—a wavelength that washes over your mind. Creating is deeply connected to God, as I believe we were intricately designed. The ability to create something is like reconnecting to the force of life which created us.
Some ideas are handed to us with a purpose. The vision presents itself to you, and sometimes you’re the only one who can make it come to life. That is why each person is given a unique gift. For some ideas, it’s our duty to bring them into existence and share them with others.
An artist’s innate role is to think outside the box. To be problem solvers and innovators—unapologetic leaders who will bring in a New World or perspective shift. True artists are the scientists, builders, and deep thinkers ready to create physical manifestations through the limit of their mind. Artists are here to inspire freedom and change. ‘Elevate your mind, Craig’ - Smokey.”
