Digame: Stephanie Vidal is Celebrating Latinas Through Art

Dominican American Stephanie Vidal is a visual artist raised in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, whose work is deeply rooted in her Latin heritage and dedication to celebrating the power and resilience of women. Her art, characterized by uplifting colors and tropical imagery, reflects her unique identity and vibrant perspective on the world. Her collaborations include Becky G’s beauty brand, TresLuce, the book cover and interior illustrations of Self Care for Latinas by Raquel Reichard, and the NYC Parks Department.

She showcased her art skills early on illustrating yearbook covers, designing posters, and painting murals. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology, she pursued a career in fashion design while continuing to nurture her passion for painting and illustration. Today, Stephanie works on commissioned pieces and operates her own online print shop, Vivid Vidal and Etsy shop.

Which Latina(s) have had the greatest impact on your life and why?
My mother and the women in my family have had the greatest impact on my life. They taught me the importance of self-respect, hard work, holding my head high, and taking care of myself so that I can always feel my best.

If you could meet a Latina icon who is no longer alive, who would it be and why?
The first person that comes to mind is Selena. As a little girl, I was obsessed with her fashion and confidence. She was so young yet expressed herself creatively through her music and style, which was truly inspiring. She seemed so cool, and there was no one else like her.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Sometimes you have to break down to break through”. Whenever I’m going through something tough, I remember this advice, and it reminds me that things will get better and that there’s something valuable I’ll learn on the other side.

Who was the first person to believe in your dreams/goals?
For me, it wasn’t just one person— it was both my parents and my teachers growing up. My parents noticed my interest in the arts and would gift me art supplies and art books for birthdays and holidays. I also had teachers who recognized my passion and spoke to my parents about schools I should attend. They also encouraged me by having me work on posters for their classrooms or participate in afterschool art projects and clubs.

How do you stay connected to your cultural roots?
I stay connected by eating our traditional foods at home, traveling back to the Dominican Republic often to visit family, exploring its history and landmarks. I also grew up listening to my parents’ music, as there was never an option to play my own. So now, I continue to listen on my own as a way to stay connected and remember my childhood.

What do you wish more people understood about what you do?
I wish people understood that being an artist it takes time to develop one’s style and voice. Sometimes, we receive requests for things outside of our expertise, but because we are artists, people assume we can do everything, even if it doesn’t align with our style or type of work.

What motivates you?
I am motivated by how my art has resonated with people over the years. It’s an incredible feeling to create something that communicates who I am and my voice, and to see it touch people, making them feel seen and connected to my work. The more I invest in my art, the more I discover about myself, and the connection with others is truly unmatched. I am also motivated by the dream to one day support my family through my passion.

How did you end up on the professional path you’re on now?
I have always focused on improving my craft and putting myself out there. Early on, I also learned the importance of networking and met people who supported and encouraged me in this field throughout the years.

What is your greatest professional achievement so far? Personal achievement?
My greatest professional achievement so far is designing the book cover for Self-Care for Latinas. It was a dream of mine to do a book cover and something I had on my vision board for many years. My greatest personal achievement is the way I now believe in myself more than ever before.

What is a goal you have that you haven’t accomplished yet and what are you doing to get closer to accomplishing it?
One of my goals is to be known for my art. I aspire to have my work displayed in a gallery and, eventually, to hold my own solo show where people can step into my world. To get closer to this goal, I am actively working on expanding my network, improving my craft, and seeking out opportunities to showcase my work.

What pop culture moment made you feel seen?
Watching the show Living Single in the ’90s. Even though I was quite young at the time, I was inspired by the independent Black women professionals on the show. They were living in NYC, with amazing careers, looking so fly, and having fun. I saw myself becoming like them one day.

How do you practice self care?
I practice self-care by staying away from negativity, focusing on putting out the energy I want to receive, trying to be as present as possible, journaling, and taking days for myself.

Quick Fire:

Shoutout an Instagram account that could use more love and tell us why you’re a fan:

I’d like to shoutout the Instagram account @welcometomaryam. They are a reproductive health and wellness clinic and community space located in the Bronx, created by reproductive professionals. I love how they are making a difference by educating and providing women with resources about their health from both modern medicine and traditional perspectives. I am a huge fan of these women and what they are doing to give back and make these resources accessible to everyone.

Shoutout your favorite Latina owned business and why:

There are so many Latina-owned businesses that I love and support, but two that really stand out are those providing crucial support to our communities through accessibility to health. The first is @routetowords, created by Speech Language Pathologist Taisha Pelletier, who is incredibly passionate about helping children find their communication potential. The second is @naihomyjerez, where Naíhomy Jerez teaches women how to heal their bodies and balance their hormones through food and lifestyle changes.