Metsti Mag

Interview with Argentine-American Artist: Laura Alvarez

Reinventing yourself can come with frustration. We may spend years fitting into molds designed to accommodate others, gradually losing sight of ourselves as people who also require love, attention, and space. In our desire to keep the peace, we shrink ourselves to avoid making waves or stirring the pot. After years of living this way, the effects begin to fester, and we may wonder whether it is too late to reclaim our lives.

Today, we feature Laura Alvarez, an artist from Mar del Plata, Argentina, who now lives in Southern California. In this conversation with Liz Eclair, Laura reflects on immigration, independence, and the courage to reinvent herself after 50.

Leaving Home and Building a Life in California

Eclair: Before coming to the United States, what did you imagine life here would be like?

Alvarez: Honestly, I never imagined myself coming to the United States. I had already built a life in Argentina—my family and friends were there, and I was established in my work and studies. However, my uncle, who had emigrated to the United States, suggested that I visit California and experience life here for myself.

So, I did. I stayed for a while and fell in love with the experience—the atmosphere and the people. I made American friends whom I still love dearly. After extending my stay several times, I eventually decided to make it permanent. I never expected to leave my country behind and build a life here.

Eclair: What aspects of life in the United States were you able to embrace? What did you miss most about Argentina?

Alvarez: Everything! I loved it. I am highly adaptable and naturally curious about new experiences, whether they involve food, culture, or everyday life. I was eager to learn, and that was something I truly enjoyed.

I was also happy to leave the nest. Living in a new country gave me a sense of freedom and allowed me to liberate myself from many things. Although my uncle was here, I still felt that I was building a life on my own. My American friends also enriched the experience.

What I missed most was my family. I knew I would see my parents, brothers, and cousins less often. Aside from that, the California lifestyle suited me. I felt less judged here. I felt free.

Eclair: In Argentina, you worked as an educator. When you arrived in the United States, did you know that your teaching credentials would not be recognized?

Alvarez: At first, I studied English in Argentina, and those classes helped me tremendously. After coming to the United States, I continued learning through evening English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Although I was not yet fluent, I gradually learned to understand nearly everything.

After deciding to remain in the United States, I left that job and pursued work in education as a teacher’s aide. Because my teaching credentials from Argentina were not transferable, the pay was not what I had hoped for. Still, I happily accepted the position. I found that opportunity and took that step on my own.

Reclaiming a Life After 50

Eclair: What was it like to rebuild your life and pursue independence after 50?

Alvarez: Around the age of 52, my marriage reached a point where I could no longer remain in the relationship. I had to decide how to reposition my life.

I was no longer the person I had been in my twenties. I now had knowledge, experience, and a lifetime of lessons behind me. I wanted to recover the part of myself that still wanted to grow, to reignite her fire before the light went out completely. I wanted to live and pursue the things I had always wanted. My true personality began to emerge again.

I believe many people experience this during menopause or after turning 50. They reevaluate their lives and ask themselves what they truly need. I want to remain honest with myself and never allow that light to go out again.

My sons are older now, but they remain by my side. As I watch them live independent lives of their own, I recognize that my desire to grow is still here. My life is not over yet.

Eclair: What did the process of rebuilding your life look like?

Alvarez: It is difficult to describe what it felt like to spend 20 years as a stay-at-home mother raising two boys and then begin a completely new career from the ground up. It was liberating because I discovered that I could do it, that I could continue growing.

Although it may sound simple, it was not. When I stepped away from my marriage, I did not have a dollar to my name. I needed to do this for myself, so I found a way to turn a terrible situation around. I went to therapy, but my anxiety was crippling. I wondered, How am I going to rent a home for my sons and me? Who is going to hire me? I had dedicated my life to raising my boys and had little professional experience in the United States.

I told myself to take it step by step. First, I needed to secure a job. Then, I needed to find us a place to live. Despite the stress and uncertainty I faced each day, I knew I could not look back. I had to keep moving forward.

Eclair: Were there parts of yourself that you rediscovered during this transition?

Alvarez: Honestly, when I look back, I do not understand why I sabotaged myself for so long. I began to recognize how much I had allowed others to dictate the way I lived, how I dressed, and even how I related to other people. I learned to stop doing that, listen to my heart, and trust my own voice.

One thing I discovered about myself, something that continues to surprise me, is my feminine energy. Growing up with a conservative mother in a machista household, being “too girly” was not encouraged. I came to associate femininity—not only sexually, but in every aspect of life, with softness and weakness.

Over time, however, I learned how strong and bold feminine energy can be. The more I embrace it, the more amazed I am by how much of it I once denied through the way I dressed and behaved. Ironically, it was other women who helped me recognize and embrace this part of myself.

Community and the Practices That Ground Her

Eclair: Who makes up your community today?

Alvarez: My community is incredibly diverse. It includes people from different backgrounds and countries. During this turning point in my life, I joined a taiko group, which is an ensemble that performs traditional Japanese drumming.

My taiko instructor became an inspiration to me, as did several of the group’s older members. They showed me what it means to be of service to others. I admired the way they carried themselves, cared for their health, and embraced a collaborative way of life. They helped me through one of the lowest periods of my life.

Eclair: What helps you stay grounded? Are there any daily rituals or activities that keep you centered?

Alvarez: The children I work with keep me grounded. I am a registered behavior technician (RBT), and this is the best job I have ever had. My work requires me to be objective: I observe and document behaviors, look for patterns, and help find solutions. It brings me down from the clouds because 100 percent of my attention is focused on one child. Being able to support someone and witness their progress is incredibly rewarding.

I also hike with one of my best friends, which keeps me moving forward—both literally and metaphorically. I go to the beach every week because it rejuvenates my soul. Being near the ocean is therapeutic; it restores me and breathes new life into me. At this point, living near the beach is one of my non-negotiables.

I have learned to maintain discipline in how I eat, how I train my body, and how I preserve my health and energy. I also needed to learn how to rest properly. It sounds simple, but many of us do not practice it. We often move through life knowing what we need but lacking the energy or discipline to follow through.

Every morning, for instance, I practice a little yoga. Doing it consistently helps me remain flexible, centered, and connected to myself.

Art, Influence, and Identity

Eclair: Is there a writer who has influenced the way you think?

Alvarez: I must have been starting university when I began reading the work of Eduardo Galeano, a writer from Uruguay. He broadened my intellectual palette, and I went on to read and enjoy many other authors. However, he was especially influential in my life and continues to inform the way I think today.

Galeano was a leftist writer whose work critiqued society, dictatorship, fascism, and inequality. One of his best-known books is The Open Veins of Latin America. It was an incredible experience to meet him in person. I have his entire collection. Although he wrote about a particular era, his messages still ring true today.

Eclair: Tell us about a musician who has been pivotal in your life. Why has his work meant so much to you?

Alvarez: There are so many bands and musicians who mean the world to me. Rock and roll speaks to my heart on a deep level, but two artists stand apart.

The first is Mike Patton of Faith No More, whom I have followed throughout all his musical projects. His range and versatility are incredible. He can sing everything from Italian songs to thrash metal. I love all kinds of music, but Mike Patton is truly singular to me.

The second is Fabiana Cantilo, who created the soundtrack to my reinvention. She holds a special place in my heart and became both a muse and an inspiration. We all have music that accompanies a pivotal period in our lives—music that marks a transition. Fabi’s music did that for me.

Eclair: What does art mean to you? Is there an artist who inspires you to continue painting?

Alvarez: I consider art an expression of my spirit. It is the essence of who we are. The artist who inspires me to keep painting is the artist within myself.

Eclair: Art can reflect something about our essence. If your personality were a color, what would it be and why?

Alvarez: Orange, because of its warmth. It feels alive. When I wear orange, I feel as though my face lights up and my spirit lifts. It encourages me. I love sunsets, and in my paintings, orange represents vitality.

Self-Love and Beginning Again

Eclair: You are a Pisces, a sign often associated with sensitivity and love. What does self-love mean to you?

Alvarez: Self-love means respecting yourself. The price I paid to learn that lesson was steep, so self-respect is now non-negotiable. It took me a long time to reach this point.

Self-love may mean something different to each person because we all have our own worldview and interests. For me, however, it begins with self-respect: respecting your body, your autonomy, and your right to live as yourself.

Eclair: You have also spoken about the importance of caring for yourself physically. What has helped you navigate menopause?

Alvarez: There can come a point in life when you are unable to rest, especially during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has helped me. Along with eating well and staying active, it has supported my well-being. My night sweats became overwhelming, and I did not have the energy to get up and work the next day.

At this stage of life, I recommend finding a female doctor you trust. Menopause is underresearched and underrepresented, even though it is a stage that so many of us experience. I do not think I would be the same woman without the support I received. Greater openness around these conversations and advances in care have helped me tremendously.

Eclair: What would you tell someone who feels it is too late to start over?

Alvarez: Keep moving and keep growing. Never stop learning. The day we stop moving and growing, we die. It is as simple as that.

It is never too late to pursue your dreams and aspirations, to come into yourself and live according to your own essence and purpose. Each day you wake up is another opportunity to begin again.