While approaching your destination and as your plane descends onto the tarmac you’re already imagining the smell of sweet air and the warmth of the sun on your face. The anticipation builds as you wait for a flight attendant to announce that it’s time to disembark and almost from the moment that you step off of the plane, you feel as if you’ve been transported to another world! That has been my experience while visiting St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. You, on the other hand, may have a different experience. However, I would wager that it wouldn’t differ much from mine.

For roughly four years, I lived in St.Croix and attended school there and in St.Thomas. It’s where my mother was born and raised and while I’m a New Yorker at heart, occasionally I would wonder what it would be like to have grown up there rather than here. Jamaica seems to get the spotlight every time someone talks about the Caribbean, but the Virgin Islands have their own distinct culture. Jerk chicken is great, but have you ever tried fish & fungi, Johnny cake, cow heel soup, or a delicious “lindy” from Rosa’s truck? The beaches there are glorious, the air is scented by guava trees, lemongrass, and an assortment of delightful foliage. There are many gems to be found in St. Croix, but the one gem that you will not see there (for the moment, anyway) is one of its beautiful and talented daughters, who currently resides in Georgia.

I became friends with Vanessa Ayala on Facebook in 2019. We never had the opportunity to meet and COVID-19 ensured that it would be a long time before we did. But we kept in touch, for the most part, via Facebook and the occasional phone call. I had admired the modeling photographs that she displayed on social media and expressed an interest in doing a Q&A with her. Between my busy schedule and the subsequent pandemic, we weren’t able to make that happen. Once in a while, I would comment on one of her posts, but I started to take notice of shots of her paintings. I thought it was merely a hobby until I began to see more. Like all great art, her paintings drew me in and spoke to my soul, creating a sensation of alienness and familiarity. There is an intimate, ancient, and powerful connection between the Caribbean and Africa and Vanessa’s paintings evoke this connection with such vibrancy.

Though I knew that I wanted to do an interview with her about her art, it took me a while to finally approach her about it. Now, here we are, two years later, and I finally get to introduce this amazing woman to our audience. In addition to Vanessa’s artwork, I have also decided to display her modeling work, which, I feel, brings us full circle to the time we first e-met.

You initially set out to be a model. How long had that been an aspiration?

I have wanted to be a model since about 2015 when I watched the tv show America's Next Top Model and looked at Vogue magazine.

What was it about modeling that appealed to you?

What I found most appealing was that it's not as simple as having a pretty face. It's the constant keeping yourself healthy, the creativity when it came to designers and how they pull together to make a concept come to life. It’s traveling to different locations just for that one perfect shot. Surprisingly, that always fascinated me when it came to the profession.

I don’t know why, but I had assumed at one time that you were also a photographer. Clearly, I was wrong about that?

(laughter) I'm not a photographer, but I do enjoy taking my own pictures. Most times in the past I did not like the quality of the end results after I did a shoot. Or what was discussed never took place in capturing the idea I was going for. It all just felt like a waste of time, to be honest. But as of recently, I love taking pictures of my art in progress and behind-the-scenes shots.

I’ve seen wonderful photographs of your modeling on your social media, but it seems you’ve abandoned your pursuit of modeling. What happened with that?

Honestly, in 2019 I got the images for my portfolio and got my body all set, but I was hesitant mentally and emotionally. I did apply to all the major modeling agencies that I met the criteria for but didn't get a response. I felt discouraged. All that I kept thinking was that I was getting older (thirty-three) and I knew that I was passionate about more than one thing, so I focused on just enjoying taking pictures of myself and posting them and just being okay with that. Do I wish that the modeling would have gone further? Yes. But I believe everything happens for a reason. One minute you're hot, the next you're not. Modeling is a tense business of staying on the top and is worth it for the love of art.

Your modeling career may have been derailed, but you seem to have found a new passion as an artist.

Yes, that is true, Painting has become a therapeutic passion of mine. Sometimes when I'm feeling an emotion so strongly and I need an outlet, I would paint. By the time I stop from a session, I am much more Zenned out (laughter) But depending on my mood, the painting may showcase that feeling. Perfect example, the painting "Stress" was supposed to be a relaxed, calming painting, but I was going through some things, and instead, the painting showed the exact way I was feeling internally. I wasn't planning on posting it, but because I felt so strongly and I knew other individuals would be able to relate to it, I posted it.

Have you always had a passion for art?

I knew when I was in second grade. I would sketch out all these abstract pictures and go show my art teacher, all proud. From there, colored science boards and black Sharpy markers were my thing for years. I would draw these African designs and abstract pattern works. When I first lived alone, those same pictures are what I used to decorate my walls. In 2017, I did my first painting. It was right after the hurricanes had hit the Virgin Islands. I took an old shower curtain liner and literally any medium I could find around the house. I found some old interior and exterior paint, markers, crayons, glue, and glitter (and let's not forget the spray paint) and called it "This Hurricane". I feel like it was the turning point in my life. I actually would call it my awakening. When it was complete, I folded it up and took it to a store to get framed. We actually used my dad's truck to transport it since it was framed to 5 feet all around. 2019 was the next time that I painted again. I was talking to another artist, and I told her that I enjoy dabbling with art and she invited me to join her to showcase my work. I knew that I didn't want to use the science boards and decided to transfer my art to canvas. I purchased three canvases and had 4 days to be ready. I knew for sure painting was not just a hobby for me. Later in 2019, I moved to the states and then the pandemic hit in 2020 and I saw my chance to really sit down and explore painting again. In the process of learning myself, a theme emerged with my paintings. Feather shapes became a constant fixture and the use of metallic gives that great transition from day to night when lights hit the painting.

What artists inspired your interest in creating art?

As weird as it sounds, there isn't an artist that influenced my painting. Being out in nature and our culture is what influenced it. It's walking up to a plant and putting my face really close to it and being fascinated by the patterns that I can spot within its makeup. It's watching the ants create a trail on a tree as they go after a piece of fruit and being able to see that translate into a painting. And you wouldn't see that I got that pattern from out in the open but, I would know it.

What medium do you work in and why that particular medium?

I enjoy acrylic painting as of right now, but knowing me I'm going to start incorporating metal and wood into my paintings to bring my work full circle. I'm obsessed with wood, preferably Mahogony. I love the color and the feel of it.

So, now you have Vea Eccentricities, your online shop where you sell original pieces of art. Was that the goal from the beginning when you decided to paint?

My goal when I started painting was always to have my works on display and for sale in galleries, but it wasn't just that simple. My aim is to have views in Europe, the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America. By having a website online, it was me putting my works out there to allow individuals to have a chance to purchase if they choose.

You’re also selling accent pillows on your website. I’ve seen other artists sell merchandise that I feel doesn’t truly capture the essence of their art, but yours does. Why did you go with accent pillows to put your art on?

I'm starting with accent pillows because I see that item as another way to be able to have art displayed. Only certain pieces would go on the pillows because they have pattern work that transitions smoothly to textile. A few of my paintings were painted specifically for being turned into textile pieces because I can see how bold they would look made into beautiful garments.

You live in the U.S. now, but you’re originally from St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. You mentioned nature influencing your artwork, I’m assuming you’re talking about back home. Yes?

Yes, actually. Our culture is so rich. We grew up listening to Queen Mary and the Fireburn during our festival season and seeing the ruins that showcase our history, which is never to be forgotten.

Has anyone back home seen your artwork yet and if so, what were their reactions?

Yes, they were shocked at how small the details were and found it bold and interesting how much detail I put into my work and the use of color to portray different emotions. When I explained to them what the paintings were about, they were shocked at how deep of a meaning the paintings have.

Returning to your online shop, do you intend to, eventually, expand to include other products and what do you see happening for the future of Vea Eccentricities?

My goal is to transfer some of my artwork to textiles to be used in clothing or any form of work. I want the paintings to strike a conversation that doesn't always get spoken about. I remember I had this one year that I was going to an event called "Taste of St. Croix" and I wanted to look different and unique. I bought an extra-large, plain white maxi dress and made dramatic alterations to it by cutting the sleeves off, creating thin straps, a deep V in the back that went down to just right above my butt, a scooped neckline, and also included a foot long train. Once I got the dress to my liking, I got clothing paint and created flower works on the front and at the hem, I made brush strokes with the leftover colors. I loved everything about the dress. When I went to the event I got lots of comments and requests to make more of the dress, but it wasn't something I desired at the time.

I want to make Vea Eccentricities a household name, one that includes textile wearable works of art, such as maxi dresses and bold pattern skirts and scarves. I want to engage in talking events that allow me to speak on the emotional and mental aspects of the art pieces for therapy purposes and how it's strongly tied to our culture/history. I would also include a skincare line of scented body oils. My ideas for Vea Eccentricities will be incorporated into the many different aspects of a person's life. It's very spiritual to me to create with my hands and share it with the world. From skin care to clothing, you wear the interior and exterior of your home, Vea Eccentricities would connect with all parts of your life. It is more than what you see on the outside. It speaks to who you are at your core. My life and the lives of others are painted in detail. Choose a piece that tells a story that connects to your being.

To see more of Vanessa’s artwork or to purchase her art, visit her website. Follow her updates on Instagram.