Aniella Maggie Ajete-Balog

Year of birth: 1995.
Where do you live: Kissimmee, Florida, US.
Your education: Associates – College.
Describe your art in three words: empathetic, bright, powerful.
Your discipline: Visual Arts.
www.aniellamaggie.com | Instagram

Can you tell us about your journey as a self-taught artist? What inspired you to start creating art?

My journey began when I was around 5 years old. I was very interested in drawing and I would trace all of my favorite cartoon characters and draw them until I was able to draw them from memory. It was not until I was 8 years old where I actually picked up a paint brush and paint. My parents seemed to realize that I had a talent or an interest for art so they signed me up to go to a children’s art studio and I painted there every Saturday for a couple of months. Once it began to get a bit expensive, my parents took me out of the art studio and bought me an easel and canvas so I could paint at home for a lot less. I think the idea of being able to get something blank and turn it into something I could envision in my mind really inspired me to keep going and then, eventually, it became my safe haven for expressing my inner feelings. From then on, I alternated between painting and writing in order to get out how I felt. It was an on and off kind of love for a while. It wasn’t until I was in college where I realized that I didn’t want to study or do any sort of job that did not revolve around being creative and I picked up painting and drawing again. 

How has your background as a Latina woman influenced your artwork?

My parents are Cuban immigrants and they came here to the United States with hopes and dreams of becoming someone and chasing the “American dream”. Although, I could say that my upbringing with them was not as strict as I have seen with my friends who are also latina, there is this sense of the kind of woman you are to be. I went a couple of years not creating art because I felt like I had to do more and everyone around me would tell me I’m talented, but “art does not pay the bills” and that made me sidetrack into some more serious studies, but I always found my way back to making art. I have a series called “(Not) So Ladylike” that really captures the essence of being the “perfect lady” and how I do not need to follow these rules made by society, especially the latino community, to be considered a lady. So much is expected of you, but I am only human. My mother also knows how to paint and my father is pretty crafty and I believe I inherited that from them. Growing up in Miami, being surrounded by people I could relate to, my family, my upbringing – it all influences my art. 

What significance do the bright, saturated colors, especially blue, green, and pink, hold in your pieces?

I originally chose the colors of blue, pink, and green because I remember reading somewhere about mastering color palettes to achieve a cohesive work of art. I think my brain just really liked the colors because of my childhood obsession with the Powerpuff Girls, but I feel as though it’s a good sturdy color palette. This does not mean I refuse to use other colors in my art work, because I do have pieces that do not match this specific color palette, but it just works so well for me. The pink compliments the green and the blue and green are analogous so I always go with those colors. It is also fun trying to see how many different ways I could use those colors and their shades to create something new yet cohesive with the rest of my works. I also believe that I subconsciously used saturated colors to force others to look at my paintings. They are bright and in your face. So much of art, whether it’s films or paintings, that are made today are so dark and dim that I like to use these colors to brighten up the world, which is kind of ironic since most of my paintings involve some sort of pain, but through pink pearled tears or blood.

Aniella Ajete-Balog | Such a softie | 2019

Can you elaborate on the motto “cry responsibly” and how it reflects in your work?

“Cry responsibly” was something I came up with when I was like 22 as play on of the “drink responsibly” disclaimer. I had it written everywhere and then, I painted my first piece with pearled tears and it just became a constant thing in my artwork. For me, it is a reminder that it is normal to feel uncomfortable and negative feelings, but you cannot dwell in it forever or excessively. Moderation is key for a majority of things in life, but maybe, I do cry a little more than I would like to. Just a little reminder that I am human and not alone when it comes to feeling emotions. 

How did studying Graphic Design Technology at Miami Dade College impact your approach to art?

Well, I originally got in for chemistry. I went through several changes in my major, which include architecture, journalism, and education, before settling with graphic design. I think I just realized that I did not want to work in a boring environment where everyone is serious or my surroundings would look bland. I realized that I could take my art skills and talents and put it to use by studying graphic design. I really did not think studying graphic design would be a game changer for me, but it was. It really helped me figure out how to properly prepare myself for any project I would like to do. Before, I would simply just tackle my projects, but now, I actually make it a thing to sketch out on a post-it or in my sketchbook what exactly it is that I am seeing in my head and deciding what color goes where. I also believe that the drawing class we were required to take really helped me get better with proportions, even though I tend to exaggerate my eyes in my artwork. I used to strictly draw and paint on a smaller surface area, but I have been more confident in letting my art take up more space after taking that class. Thanks to graphic design, I was also able to land a job for a bit as a graphic designer at a print shop and was able to gain some experience and knowledge on the printing process, especially those that deal with color.   

Aniella Ajete-Balog | All I want is intimacy | 2021

Can you talk about a particular piece that holds significant personal meaning to you?

All, if not most, of my pieces are personal. You could pick any and I could tell you everything I was feeling while I was painting it and all the thoughts I had running through my head in the process, but I think one of my most recent paintings, “comfort in myself” really does it for me. I have had this idea of painting this particular piece for a couple of months before actually sitting down and sketching it out. Originally, it was supposed to represent my maternal grandmother and how much her loss affected me as a child. I read this book last year called “It Didn’t Start With You” and it really solidified things I have experienced or I inherited from my mother and my grandmother. I do not know why, but I was thinking about her a lot even before I read the book. A part of me misses her a lot and wishes I got to experience more time with her so I could at least remember what it was like to have her around. My parents always tell me that we were each other’s world. I always catch myself asking what I should do to heal my inner child and honestly, picking up art always did that for me. I cannot run away from it. So, in her honor, I wanted to honor myself by doing a somewhat self portrait as I am now at 29 holding what would be 3 year old me with my favorite flowers, sunflowers, that remind me of my grandmother.

Aniella Ajete-Balog | Comfort in myself | 2024

What advice would you give to other self-taught artists who are just starting out?

My biggest advice is to keep going. Many people will try to sway you away from art or someone will tell you that your art is no good, but you must ignore them. Keep practicing. Keep experimenting. You will find your way through and you will look back and feel accomplished from how far you have come. It took me years of practice and comparing myself to others to finally decide to just go for it and do what I want to do in order to get to where I am today. I did not even know that I had a specific style until I was about 6 paintings in. Keep going and only stop if you feel as if you are burning yourself out. It is okay to take a break for your well being, but you must chase your passion.