Evelyn Reategui-Zirena - zirenart
What are your favorite materials and/or tools?
I like acrylic paint for my paintings and recycled bottle projects. For my jewelry I like wine cork because I can play with the shapes and it’s a super lightweight material. I’ve started to experiment with epoxy resin and I’m enjoying it a lot.
If you could spend the day with one artist or craftsman (dead or alive) who would it be?
My grandma! She could sew, knit, crochet, paint, make cardboard houses for our Christmas nativity scene, grow vegetables, raise farm animals and pull out teeth when they were about to fall.
When did you first know you were an artist?
When I won a national art contest in elementary school in Peru.
original artwork
Tell us who you are and a bit about yourself.
I’m originally from Peru and I’m a toxicologist for the health department. In my free time, I like to paint and create purposed upcycled art. I’m a big environmentalist so I try to recycle, compost and reuse items as much as I can.
We know you create awesome original artwork, but what else do you like to do?
I love gardening, and I think I’m doing a great job in the balcony. My husband and I love to cook so every day we have fresh, made-from-scratch food. We also love camping and traveling.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I love bright colors and nature, so you can see that in my art. I have a whole collection of Austin inspired paintings that I adore. Just trying to keep Austin weird. It’s also about what I have and how I can repurpose it for.
If we peeked inside your studio, what would be the first thing we’d notice?
That the whole apartment is my studio! I have a very patient and considerate husband. Once we move into the new house, I’ll have my own space but for now it’s scattered.
What's the best meal you've had in the past year?
A mahi mahi ceviche at Josie’s Café here in Austin.
What’s your favorite city and why?
Austin is my favorite city, and that’s why I live here. It doesn’t have snow, it has lots of trees, it has good music, good food and all kinds of artists.
What’s your favorite quote from a movie, book or song?
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.
