September 12 2007: “Sonya Paz Helps Humane Society Silicon Valley”
“Sonya Paz Serves up Sensational Artwork from Santa Clara Studio, Helps Humane Society Silicon Valley“.
By Robert Haugh
Santa Clara Weekly
September 12, 2007
While growing up in the South Bay, including being born and raised in Santa Clara, local artist Sonya Paz learned much through her adventures, experiencing a wide array of artistic expressions ranging in culture, styles and colors. Having developed a process of mixing paint and prepping paper/canvas to get the colors she wants, her work is created with acrylic paints. “This is where my talent lies,” says Paz on this style of painting.
Her acrylic paintings have blossomed into a booming worldwide business, with her vivid colors popping off of canvases shown in galleries and collectors’ homes across the U.S. and beyond. Her paintings can be viewed and bought at over 90 retailers and locations in the U.S. and are part of collections all over the globe.’However, her two largest collectors are local. “I am proud to know that these collectors also collect work from other renowned artists such as Chagall, Dali, Picasso, and Matisse. It is a good feeling to know that my work is hanging next to some of the masters.
Having opened her first studio on Lafayette Street in Santa Clara ringing in the New Year, 2005, Paz’ artistic impressions are leaving lasting marks in the community. Her artistic career has blossomed into a full-fledged business, having recently opened a second gallery in downtown Campbell, in addition to her corporate office/ studio on Lafayette Street.
“From my perspective the City of Santa Clara is the heart of Santa Clara County. The location I found to open my first gallery was the perfect venue for me at the time. The building where the gallery is located is old and has the artistic feel and architecture making it perfect for my business,” says Paz. Keeping close to her Santa Clara roots, Paz is very much involved with the Humane Society of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara.
“Given that the Humane Society Silicon Valley is literally right around the corner from my Santa Clara Gallery it was a perfect match for us to work together. They have embraced my art and company and we have a fantastic working relationship. Our business and contributions with them continues to grow calendar quarter to calendar quarter.”
Upon inviting HSSV to her gallery in Santa Clara, “Art by the Pound,” a fundraiser developed which has grown immensely and gained widespread popularity, now known as “Art for the Animals* and hosted at a larger venue, Santana Row in San Jose. Paz’ artwork has been shown at several Santa Clara gathering spots, including City Lights CafE in Downtown Santa Clara on Jackson, Mission City Coffee, and Starbucks off the Alameda. Paz also had a temporary store at Santana Row during the 2006 Christmas season.
Paz says what drives her most is when people tell her she can’t do something. “That only inspires me more. I love a challenge and I love working the business side of art. Selling art is truly the art of marketing.” says Paz. “I have learned that to continue successfully building my company I cannot rely on others and that I must cut my own market. I have a story to tell and I want people to feel good about looking and owning my art,” says Paz.
Sonya has participated in the Santa Clara Arts & Wine Festival for a number of years, but “Unfortunately,” she says, “I have had to cut back on the street fairs that I do because of the time constraints. Since my business is growing worldwide I’s hard to do the nice local venues.*
Paz says she is inspired by ‘the masters in her field such as Picasso, Warhol, Haring, and Lichtenstein.’ However, one of her biggest inspirations is Fred Smith of FedEx. “I love the story about the college professor that gave Fred Smith an average grade on a paper on his overnight package delivery company and basically told him it was interesting but would never really work in the real business world.”
Her future plans are very grand. I plan on having a worldwide chain of Sonya Paz galleries. I aspire to work harder for the Humane Society Silicon Valley and Breast Cancer Research and to raise millions of dollars for those two endeavors.” Outside of painting and creating art, Paz enjoys music. concerts and traveling. “I take my little dog Sami everywhere I go,’ says Paz.
Sonya’s Studio and Gallery is located at 1793 Lafayette Street, Suite 110 in Santa Clara. Call her Gallery at 408-378-5000 or visit www.soryapaz.com for additional information.
