LUDLOW – Artist Stephanie Perez’s artwork reflects her Mexican heritage and the former Springfield resident is reaching new audiences through Vida, a site that takes your paintings and designs and transfers them to clothing.

Perez, a graduate of both Holyoke Community College (HCC) and American International College, has “been doing art my entire life,” but only started painting while attending college.

On her Vida site (https://shopvida.com/collections/stephanie-perez) she wrote, “I am a Mexican-American mixed media artist based out of Massachusetts. Art has always been my way of self-expression and connection to my culture and world around me. Through my art I am able to share my life experiences in vibrant color. It is my hope to share my passion and culture with others.”

Perez explained that her family was originally from Texas, but her father who was in the Army was stationed in Western Massachusetts and attached to an Army National Guard unit. Her mother is vice president of Academic Affairs at HCC.

Perez noted there are not a lot of Mexican Americans in this part of the country and that “art is a good way to settle in my culture.” She added her family is very traditional and that “Mexican culture is a huge part of us.”

According to the website, Vida is a create on-demand company featuring the work of artists from around the world that shares the profits of its products with the manufacturers as well.

Perez said Vida has been a “great fit” for her and she has done financially “pretty well.” She noted, though, having a second career as an artist – she works full time for at the Department of Children and Families – is challenging.

“I promote it as much as I can on my own,” she added.

On Perez’s page her colorful designs are seen on tote bags, shirts, scarves, pillows, wraps, among other items. The items reflect her dual love of Mexican culture and color. A portrait of famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo as well as skulls from All Saints day are recurring motifs on her products.

She said she is drawn to Kahlo for “her honesty” and added she believes the artist was “very literal in terms of emotion.”

Like Kahlo, Perez said her work also reflects “a lot of emotion – I spit it out into the canvas.”

Vida reached out to her, she explained, to create a line.

She said that she works on a tablet to create new designs but also uses work she had already completed. She edited the older work so it would fit the design demands of the article of clothing or product.

Although she readily admits that painting and ink drawings are her favorite mediums, she said working in different mediums for Vida has pushed her in other artistic directions, something she enjoys.

Perez’s work has been featured in numerous arts show, either as a solo exhibit or with other artists. Her experiences have exposed to the work of other artists, something she loves.

“I’m always trying to challenge myself,” she said and then explained that until a year ago she had not tried digital art.

She believes artists can learn from one another.

“I do like connecting to old and young. You can learn a lot even from people who have just started,” she said.

For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/StephaniePerezArt