Erica Rae Sanchez
Arts Editor
Several artists came together to showcase their talents while selling paintings, handmade crafts and thrifted clothes at the monthly Pomona Art Walk on Saturday.
Vendors gathered together in Downtown Pomona’s Art Colony as various groups of community members walked through the street, listened to live music and shopped through the antique stores.
There were artists selling gothic key chains, skull candles, pop-art paintings, horror and fantasy themed paintings, organic candles, and hand-crafted jewelry.
“Different types of artists gather together in one place to share their craft, and that is what I like about the art walk,” said Pomona resident Vivien Arredondo.
Crysol Mendoza, an artist from Montclair, began painting because her grandfather was a photographer. He would have her cousins and herself sit around in his studio and paint the pictures that he took.
“He taught us how to paint and how to do a lot of creative stuff and I picked it up after him,” said Mendoza.
“I stopped doing art for a couple of years and I picked it back up after he passed away to live through him.”
Mendoza first showcased her art that features horror, pop-art, and fantasy at the Pomona Art Walk around two years ago, she said.
“I used to paint and put everything in my garage, and my best friend came over and asked ‘why is everything in the corner? Go out there,’” Mendoza said.
Mendoza had to cut back on her full time job because of an increased demand for her paintings and drawings, she said.
“It feels really great because people are always like ‘oh my gosh, I know your paintings, I’ve seen them before’ and it is very exciting to know that when someone buys my painting, they have it in their house,” said Mendoza.
Another artist, Chino resident Ashley Amaya, sold her pop-art paintings, graphic prints and stickers at the walk.
She found her inspiration to paint at a young age; as she would color with her mom, she developed her passion for art, Amaya said.
She said she loves bright colors and pop-art, and finds her inspiration by going to different museums and looking at the contemporary art.
This was her first experience selling art at the Pomona Art Walk. She has only showcased her work at two other art shows prior to this event, she said.
“I’m still pretty new and I am still trying to figure it out but it has been really fun and hopefully I will come back and [sell at] the Pomona Art Walk again,” Amaya said. “You learn along the way and each time will get better and better.”
Claire Arredondo, Pomona resident, bought a graphic print of a girl with a flower tattoo on her butt from Amaya.
“I bought this print because I wanted to support the local artists and I love the idea of supporting women,” Arredondo said.
The Pomona Art Walk takes place every second Saturday of the month in the Downtown Pomona Arts Colony.
Erica Rae Sanchez can be reached at erica.sanchez2@laverne.edu.
