FOR 22-year-old Riamil Blaize Salon, creating art and starting her own business was her path to independence but her journey has not been easy. From sleepless nights balancing art commissions, school, and an online job, Blaize had to make sacrifices to get where she is now.
Her motivation to continue to work hard was her desire to become successful and independent as her late mother had wished, fueled by her inspiration to continue creating art since it was her passion growing up.
The 13,000 followers on Instagram and 10,000 followers on Facebook are a testimony to her feat. She shares how she started with an old model of a smartphone to practice her talents and create her line art - the specific style she chose for her art commissions.
“Line art is the bread and butter of all artworks and I can connect it to everything perfectly. Also, I want my art to be as neat as possible,” Blaize said.
However, roughly two years after she started her art business back in 2020, Blaize’s health started to get affected.
She knew she had to make a tough choice thus in the meantime, she decided to stop her schooling. Fortunately, her art business was taking off and the satisfaction of growing it with her own hands and dedication was rewarding enough for her.
“Before I started soft copy files na artwork and then ngayon iba-ibang products na offer ko (now I offer different products). Lahat ng iyon, ako lang mag-isa gumawa, wala akong kasama para mabuo yoon (My achievements are all because of myself. I did all of that on my own),” she proudly shared.
With her art business well-established, Blaize’s new goal is to go back to college next school year as a scholar. She knows it’s challenging to balance her two dreams but it isn’t something she’s willing to give up on as it’s her goal and her mother’s dream to see her finish school.
“I know she would be very proud kasi noon pa man, gusto na niya ako maging independent. I know she would be happy knowing I would continue my studies kasi yoon na ang iniisip niya before pa (it’s what she was worrying about even before),” Blaize said.
In her line of work as an artist, criticism and unnecessary comments can’t always be avoided. Blaize said she has encountered comments before saying her art style isn’t original and customers who haggle down prices despite her efforts on it.
However, Blaize said she doesn’t let it get to her. Instead, she sees it as an opportunity to become better because at the end of the day, what’s important is she keeps doing what she’s doing solely because she loves to do it.
“Gusto ko rin i-prove na being an artist, hindi siya basta-basta na work (I also want to prove that being an artist isn’t a mediocre work). It’s something na we put our effort into and something that we cherish,” she said.
Her advice to young adults aiming to become independent and start their own business is to not be afraid of the challenges and have the willingness to keep learning.
“When I started to become independent, I needed to learn a lot of stuff kasi na-realize ko na marami pala akong hindi alam gawin (because I realized there are a lot of things I didn’t know). (So) just don’t stop what you’re doing especially if you love it jeven if other people do not like what you’re doing,” she said. ICM