There are moments in life that quietly wait for us, sometimes for years, until we are finally ready.. For me, painting was one of those moments.
Since I was a child, I always wanted to paint. But somehow life kept guiding me toward other forms of art instead. I spent many years moving through creativity in different ways; acting, singing, dancing, always connected to expression, movement and emotion. Siempre en el arte… just in different forms.
About twenty years ago, I met a well-known painter from Cozumel. I remember visiting his office in Tulum and noticing a painting hanging behind his desk. It was an abstract piece filled with vibrant oranges, yellows, and warm glowing colors. The painting felt alive. I stood there quietly observing it, completely captivated by its energy and movement.
Something about that painting spoke to me deeply.
I suddenly asked him, if he taught painting classes. He smiled and said, “No, I don’t.”
And I remember thinking to myself: Un dia voy a pintar asi!
Life continued, years passed, and painting once again drifted quietly into the background. But some dreams never really disappear. They just wait patiently… Despacio pero seguro.
Then, 8 years ago, a friend invited me to take painting classes in Tulum. I felt curious, but when I asked who the teacher was and she answered, “Giovanni Avashadur,” I could hardly believe it. The very same artist whose painting had inspired me twenty years earlier was now going to teach me.
I immediately joined the class, full of excitement and emotion and ready for anything. Since then, I have continued painting and learning from this extraordinary artist, whose guidance helped open a creative door that had been waiting inside me for a long time.
Our painting class is made up entirely of women, amazing, wise women who gather every Monday alongside our teacher, Giovanni. Beyond learning techniques and color, we share laughter, stories, creativity, vinito, deliciosa cenas, postres, friendship y mucho mas. Sometimes we paint, sometimes we laugh too much, sometimes both at the same time. Over the years, the class has become more than just a place to paint; it has become a beautiful space of inspiration, support, joy, and a little locura artística.
In January 2024, Giovanni and I shared another unforgettable moment together. We painted side by side for 2 years and created an exhibition of 25 paintings in January 2024 In Akumal. The name of the exhibit was “Symphony of the Sea” some of them large-scale. It was one of the most beautiful and meaningful experiences of my life. Seeing the work displayed, sharing art with the community, and realizing how far that dream had traveled since the day I first stood in front of that glowing abstract painting in Tulum.
One of the things that made me happiest was seeing friends and neighbors from Akumal take a piece with them home. Knowing that these beautiful works of art have become part of their personal spaces and everyday surroundings fills me with pride and gratitude.
When I see one of the paintings hanging in somebody`s home, it reminds me that art continues living far beyond the exhibition walls. That moment changed something inside me.
Because now, after all these years, I can finally say with certainty:
Sí… I am a painter.
If you want to see Giovanni Avashadur’s paintings, follow him on Instagram.