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

Hi Sonya, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?

I grew up in Rosenberg, Texas which is about half an hour from Houston. It’s a medium-sized town and a great place to have grown up. My family is working class and my siblings and I were latch key kids since both of our parents worked full-time. Growing up, there was not a lot of focus on education after high school or what our plans were after graduating. It was more about work and making money because although we had all we needed, there was not much left after bills and such were taken care of. I live a comfortable life now but I think there is still a big part of me that feels like the lower middle class child I grew up as. I think growing up like I did made me very grateful for all I have now and appreciate the fact that I can paint for a living.


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 have always loved art and decided I wanted to try my hand at it about 20 years. A co-worker of mine had a small painting in his office. I loved the piece and told him how much I liked it. He told me he had painted it and I don’t know why but I was suddenly inspired. Shortly thereafter, I bought some small canvases and paint. I had no idea what to buy but guessed and I started painting on a small Ikea TV tray. That’s where it started. I had no idea what I was doing but I just went for it. I started selling my work to co-workers and friends and just kept painting. Eventually, I took classes at the Glassell School of Art where I started to learn techniques and color theory. I then moved on the the University of Houston to study art.

I have sold art to friends, family, strangers, corporations and have shown in art galleries. It’s amazing to me when I look back to where I started to where I am now. I had no plans for my work other than to create something and now I have people coming to me asking for commissions for their homes. It’s truly an honor.

My work is very important to me, I don’t create a piece hoping to sell it (though I love to sell!) I create hoping someone sees the piece and feels something or sees something in the piece they love and want to see every day in their home or office.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Memorial Park is beautiful. It has always been but the work that’s been done in the past two years is amazing. You truly feel like you’ve entered another place entirely. You leave the hustle and bustle of Houston and are suddenly surrounded with trees and beauty.

The Museum District is also incredible. The Museum of Fine Art is a gem of the city.

Houston also has great restaurants and it seem like new ones pop up all the time. Rosie Metropolitan, Squable and Roots Wine Bar just to name a few.


Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My wife, Ann, has played a huge roll in my success as an artist. I never really even though of myself as an artist until she started introducing me to folks as an artist. Even then, I remember finding it hard to believe. She has supported me and my work for years and has always believed in me.  It’s important to have a supportive partner and I certainly have one in Ann.

Website: www.sonyacuellar.com

Instagram: @sonyacuellarart

Twitter: @SonyaCuellarArt

Facebook: @SonyaCuellarFineArt

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.