Meet Sydney Duarte | Muralist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydney Duarte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydney, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factors behind my success / the success of my brand have been taking risks, keeping an open mind and connecting with everyone that crosses my path on a deep level.

I don’t ever want to close my mind off to anything. My style is fluid. I’m always creating with various mediums (pottery, glass blowing, wiring, painting) If I don’t know how to do something, I research and experiment until I figure it out. It always ends up being something bigger and better than what I had imagined. Every new artwork is so very different from the last. From abstract, realism, stained glass, lettering, neon effects with spray paint, I love pushing myself and adapting to each new environment/ideas. My style is playful, loving and colorful. Inspiration for most of my pieces comes from the folks that I encounter along my journey of Life. The kind-hearted, loving people that are doing good out in the world. I want to help bring their light to you so that you can experience them in the way that I experience them. I fill each wall with love so that everyone that comes in contact with them can resonate in some way; to see a piece of themselves within the artwork. @duarte_designs was created to spread positive messages through our original pieces. Each piece is meant to spark thought and help you stop, stand there, and breathe in ALL the things that make you feel grateful for this life. Art will always be my biggest love. The physical act of creating brings me SO much joy!

I live my life as if every aspect is a new artwork. The secret to my success is connecting with others to make sure they feel seen, heard, and appreciated. Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring. All of which have the potential to turn a life around. When you create a difference in someone’s life, you not only impact their life, you impact everyone influenced by them throughout their lifetime. Whether it be a friend, a client, a stranger, I treat everyone the same.

We see countless pairs of eyes on a daily basis. It’s quite rare for most people to look into another’s eyes. I had a friend once tell me they caught themselves looking away in panic, when the eyes of a stranger on the street almost met theirs… “Whew! That was a close one! We almost acknowledged each other…” I was like…. Whaaaaatttt!?! No entiendo!?!
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Without even noticing, another possibility of connection has vanished into the air. That could’ve been your new best friend, business partner, your biggest opportunity or maybe the conversation that flipped your whole life around!

I promise you, if you practice making eye contact and asking someone what their favorite moment of the day/year has been, you will connect with them immediately vs. diving straight into business and never learning anything about them and why they are the way they are.

As you move throughout your life, I encourage you to make eye contact with others, see them for who they truly are. Everybody’s out here fighting some type of battle that they may never speak of. We’re all in this together, sweet friends. Let’s hold space for one another. Connect with people in a way you might not normally do, maybe a friendly smile, some words of encouragement, a high-five, a hug…whatever you’re feeling, let it flow! Life is your canvas, so paint it with bright colors and bold stokes. Design each day in any way you choose!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It is the loving energy and intention that I create with and the way I interact with others that sets me apart. I am excited to continue painting all around the world on my upcoming mural tour. I got to where I am today professionally, by being kind, driven, open-minded, innovative and never taking no for an answer. Always coming up with creative solutions to different problems. It has been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs for sure, but worth every moment. I have overcome each challenge by staying optimistic and thinking ahead so that I can always bounce back quickly. Every perceived “no” is just an opportunity to create in a new way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The list below are some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places and things to check out:

Min’s foot spa & reflexology
Little man ice cream
Rino neighborhood
Chipotlepec – Jazz
Awaken Gym
Williams & Graham – A magical speak easy
El Five tapas
Rocksbury park
Lo hi neighborhood
Root down restaurant
The highlands neighborhood- 32nd & Lowell
Syntax Opera
Ophelia’s
Denver central Market
To the wind restaurant
Blue sushi
Izakaya sushi
Rob Drabkin Music

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
BIG love to everyone that told me that my dreams were too BIG and could never be turned into reality. Thank you for the opportunity for growth to add to my drive to go bigger and bolder than I ever could’ve dreamed possible.

To all of my loving friends, family and strangers that have cheered me on, even when you didn’t fully understand the vision, I am forever grateful for you.

Website: https://www.thetravelinggypsy.org/

Instagram: @traveling_gypsy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneyduarte/