Meet Nataly Manary | Painting and Vino Art Instructor and Event Coordinator

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

Hi Nataly, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always played around with the idea of risk taking. There are so many different versions of it, whether you are taking a risk in doing a crazy stunt or putting your heart at risk when confessing your love to someone! My belief is that there is no way to move forward and break barriers in your life without taking risks. We can take the safe route in life by sticking to routines and being stubbornly comfortable in the unhealthy habits we repeat.

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 been one of those people who thought faster than they could talk! I felt like there wasn’t enough time in my day to get all the things I wanted to get done, which grew into restlessness and anxiety. Art was the only therapeutic “medicine” that truly slowed the pace of my cluttered mind and be creatively at peace.

Fast-forward to post college days. I continued to struggle in finding a solid identity in a career, making my jump from one job to the next. The biggest “jump” I made was from a safe salaried job, to owning my own business. I purchased a quaint mobile coffee cart at the Poinsettia Train Station in Carlsbad. It was the most random thing that I did, and yes, a financial risk. I worked my tail bone off and pushed myself to learn all that I could in running my own business. What truly caught my heart, was all of the people I came into contact with. I have never been so stimulated with life, getting to know many individuals on the move that took the time to stop and chat with me about their day. Later I moved my business into a brick and mortar store in Vista, partnering with my mother to create a trendy second hand boutique combined with a cafe. Our business started excelling, and like the rest of the world, we ran into the pandemic. It destroyed our business, leaving us to pick up the pieces. It was truly heart breaking. I felt like a complete failure as I filed for bankruptcy.

Art stepped into my life again. During the pandemic I became a mother and I truly saw the importance art had in my life. Art helped alleviate the postpartum depression that I struggled with in both my pregnancies. My family understood that art truly was a calling for me to make more of a career than a hobby. My mother would help babysit both my boys whenever I landed a mural job, giving me an income that I can spoil my kids with. My husband was supportive in helping me find mural jobs, and he was always proud of my work. I ran into an art instructor position with Painting and Vino, and I decided to give it a chance in being one of their licensees! Currently, I am running paint and sip classes at 7 different venues in north county, bringing two artists on board to help teach classes and expand. I couldn’t be happier for the balance this business has brought to my life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many places to check out in San Diego that I would bring my bestie to! I would stick to local favorites of course.

I need to take my guest to Local Roots “The Booch-Yard” in Vista. They have the best Kombucha on tap that you can pair with their amazing wood fired pizza! Their tap room is so spacious and kid friendly, I would definitely feel comfortable letting my littles run around on their outdoor picnic area.

We would need to check out Amalfi’s at Lake San Marcos. You can walk the lake and then hop over to Amalfi’s to enjoy live music, and eat the best Italian cuisine offered in North County.

Leucadia is a great place to roam around as well! I would go on a bike ride along the coast on a beautiful day. We’d stop by the beach and little stores along the coast. Later we’d ride our bikes to “Solterra Winery and Kitchen” where you can have the best wine and meal in their private barrel room.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents are my biggest support system in life. They have always been a prime example of what it means to work hard for what you want. Both my parents have grown up in poverty with extremely unsafe circumstances. The magic that has happened in both of their lives was manifested through their will power and mentality. My parents chose not to be victims of their pasts, but rather learned from their struggles in order to create a future they wanted to live in.

Website: https://paintingandvino.com/instructor/nataly-manary/

Instagram: paintingandvino_vista

Facebook: @paintingandvino.sd

Image Credits
Nataly Manary