We love highlighting a local business - from restaurants, to clothing designers, to food trucks and artists - every week on KIIS.
Now, more than ever, it's important for all of us to find a way to support our local and small businesses to keep them afloat during this uncertain time.
Though some businesses are unable to stay open right now due to social distancing restrictions, others, like artists, could still operate on a commissioned basis.
This week we spoke with local artist Anna Alvarado!
Anna made the decision last year to leave her corporate job after 25 years in order to pursue art full time. She says she felt she was able to live out her purpose by becoming an artists full-time, and says, "I chose faith over fear and took a chance on myself."
Anna specializes in wood print, greeting cards and commissions portraits and says people relating to her art is what makes this profession so special.
"The fact that people buy my art because it resonates with them... it's a very humbling experience. To know that my story is one that connects with so many individuals."
Throughout this COVID-19 outbreak, Anna says she was extremely anxious about what was going on. But her husband encouraged her to keep creating, and she saw posting her art to social media was a way to "flood" the world with beautiful things during such a scary time.
Not only is Anna's artwork amazing, but Ryan also had a genius idea: let's commission Anna to do a portrait of the morning show's Zoom grid.
"We could take a photo of our grid and she could do a cartoonish version of it."
GENIUS, Ryan. And what a unique way to capture this unusual time for not only our show, but for the entire world.
Anna's response? "Of course! I would love to."
I cannot wait to see what masterpiece Anna comes up with of our Zoom grid. THANK YOU ANNA!
You can check out Anna's artwork on her Instagram or website - you're also going to want some of her art! Support your local and small businesses, everyone!
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Photo: Getty Images