Meet Aja Toro | Artist

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

Hi Aja, how do you think about risk?
Risk is opportunity. The only thing holding us back from opportunities is simply not taking the risk to get there. I am not much of a risk taker; as a mother I think about the future before taking a risk. Last year, an opportunity fell into my lap when a small space opened around the corner from my home. My sister urged me to go look at it, and as we sat on the floor imagining all of the things we could do there; we knew the risk was worth taking. We opened an art studio, utilizing it as a shop to provide a community to other handmade businesses like ourselves. While it has had its challenges, I would still say the risk was worth every bit of it. 2023, was the best year I have had as an artist. It has opened so many doors for me connecting me to creatives within my city I would have never met without taking the risk to get here.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a teen mom; I am a dropout; I have raised 3 of my siblings beginning when I was just 18; I come from a poor unstable childhood, and yet here I am seeing my way to physically create my dreams.. Often, we find ourselves in situations or major life shifts that create this image in our head that we are then incapable of achieving the things we want. Our minds are so powerful that we actually believe it. I have learned to stop waiting for the opportunities to find me. In 2023, I decided to do everything I could to branch off into the big art world while working full time in the medical field.
I am a multi faceted artist; I am the creator and owner of Toro Perceptions Art. I have a passion for abstract art but will venture off to varieties of mediums based on commissions. One of my biggest accomplishments was launching my “ Free Art Gallery” Boxes that are similar to the “ Little Libraries” you find in your neighborhood. I have created one for my studio, placed one at The Fringe Coffee House in Hamilton and one pending for The Holloway House Resource Center. It is a way to share the beauty of art at no cost. Art makes my soul happy, it allows me to feel without explanation; and I want to share that with my community. I love to see people donate and share their art for the greater good. I developed a go fundme to try and raise funds to place 10 throughout the community. This is still a work in progress.
I painted a 6foot window in honor of teen moms and the growth and power we have to overcome obstacles, being the most influential piece I have created. This window oversees the stair case at The Holloway House Resource center, for teen moms and their babies.
My biggest goal this year was to find what works for me, something to make money and let me create freely. I have developed a brand to hand paint 3D Ultrasound Keepsakes while collaborating with ultrasound companies across the country. This brand is known as Brushed Beginnings.
Due to my versatile artistic abilities it allows me to be in every room as an artist to find “my people” and the opportunities that await me as I navigate through a world that has no boundaries. Balancing work, art, kids, life… it is incredibly difficult but honestly that is where the beauty and therapeutic development lies within the artwork.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would go to The Fringe Coffee House in Hamilton, for excellent coffee and the largest space of indoor murals. Aspired Vegan for a healthy lunch. Sugar Shack by the tracks for incredible handmade ice cream. Alfios for the best Italian food. Cincinnati is full of murals, offering a trolley tour. I am more of a homebody so my itinerary would be more relaxed finding the beautiful scenery at the park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As cliche as it might sound, my sister Jassel Toro has been the most encouraging person in my life. She is always in my corner, at every event, for every idea, supporting my vision along the way. I am sure that I could carry a long list of people who have stood behind me in this journey; but I know they are reading this story and know who they are.

Website: Www.toroperceptions.com; www.brushedbeginnings.squarespace.com

Instagram: Her_behindthepaint

Facebook: Aja Toro ; Reading Creative; Brushed Beginnings

Other: Tik Tok Brushed.Beginnings