Sydney Kelly Paeres grew up in what she calls a "strict, cult-like environment" that discouraged creativity, imagination and even fictional characters. Today, that childhood is the very thing fueling the whimsical, surrealist art she sells through her growing brand, Dizzy Cult Art.

Paeres has been an artist for most of her life, and producing apparel for local markets is something she's incredibly passionate about.

She specializes in a variety of mediums but mainly works with watercolors, acrylics and colored pencils. In addition to holding an associate degree in graphic design, she also became a certified artisan of pyrography, the art of decorating natural materials like wood or leather with burn marks using a heated tool, while living in Puerto Rico.

Paeres describes her work as "dreamlike."

"My art style is very whimsical, it's colorful, and it's really trippy," she said.

Her bold style is often paired with themes of nature, with tropical forests, fauna and animals frequently appearing in her work, something she attributes to her Caribbean identity and her time living in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.

"Caribbean colors and tropical wildlife are very important to me," she said. "They're part of my roots. Sometimes I even use Taino symbols in my artwork too."

The Taíno were the Indigenous Arawakan peoples of the Caribbean. Predating European arrival, they primarily inhabited modern-day Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. They were the first New World peoples encountered by Christopher Columbus.

Paeres said her imaginative pieces are influenced by the Costa Rican expression Pura Vida or "pure life." This philosophy encourages individuals to embrace life's little moments and the vibrancy of the world around them.

Surrealism also plays a big part in Paeres' work, with her desire to push boundaries a result of her childhood.

Paeres grew up in a "strict and religious" home, with the adults around her pushing modesty and conservatism and making it difficult for a young Paeres to express herself in her art.

"As a kid, I was never allowed to create fictional characters or even mix reality with my imagination," she said, with the biography on her website saying her art was forced to be literal and restrained.

But those pressures never stopped her from pursuing her passion.

"I always loved art. I was the kid that was always doodling on the walls, sidewalks of my home," she said. "Art is just something that's helped me express my view of the world as a kid."

She said the art she creates these days is a way to rebel against her childhood and an opportunity to express her true self.

Her work includes symbols embedded throughout, including mushrooms and eyes. She said both are intentional and are meant to represent themes of judgment and freedom.

The eyes represent the "constant watch" of observation throughout her childhood while also highlighting how today, she channeled that oppression into confidence.

Mushrooms symbolize "resilience," a nod to their ability to sprout almost anywhere. Along with their psychedelic associations, they play a role in the surrealist art she says reflects her own joy and self-expression.

Dizzy Cult Art is a relatively new endeavor for Paeres, with the brand mainly focusing on items including tote bags, shirts and jewelry, all inspired by her illustrations.

She primarily sells at local markets, events curated by friends and Pride events, and while it's still a small operation, she plans to be involved in more exhibits and pop-up markets in the coming months.

Paeres said she wants to "shoot for the stars" when it comes to Dizzy Cult Art.

"If I can turn Dizzy Cult into a store or a gallery, that would be amazing but I don't want it just to be that," she said. "I want it to be a safe space for artists so they're also able to showcase their work. For me, the goal is not just to grow myself but to help others grow."

Her goals range from setting aside a section at her booths to highlight local kids' art to more ambitious ones, like one day painting a mural.

Regardless, Paeres hopes that with her growing social media following and support from the community, she'll be able to continue growing her brand.

"Although my art is very niche, the bright colors and fun characters seem to attract both adults and children," she said. "It brightens their eyes, they smile a lot, and sometimes they'll even tell me random stories based on what they're seeing. That's a really cool way to connect with people and I still hope to make the world a little more trippy every step of the way."

Elias Bonilla is a journalism and political science major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at ebonilla1500@gmail.com.

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