For EvelynEspinoza, art has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. “I probably as young as I can remember, I have been drawing. It all started with Disney characters,” she recalls. Encouraged by supportive teachers throughout school, her creative journey naturally evolved into the vibrant, travel-inspired work she’s known for today.
When asked to describe her style in just three words, Evelyn doesn’t hesitate: “Colorful, travel, and moments.” These themes are woven into every brushstroke, whether she’s capturing sweeping landscapes or fleeting human interactions.
Evelyn’s love for art is deeply personal an integral part of who she is. “I think it’s in my DNA. I just could not not paint It brings me so much joy Even if nobody bought my work, I would still have to paint.” That passion also extends to teaching. One of her most treasured memories is of a young art student who won a major award and dedicated her win to Evelyn. “That just touched my heart,” she says
Her travels have shaped much of her work. “Traveling is my favorite thing to do besides painting. My art is basically a journal of my travels I take photographs when I’m traveling and then when I get back, I put them down on paper. I try to capture the essence of the people and the place all the bright, vibrant colors of life.”
One of her pieces, Dress to Impress (cover photo), tells the story of two young girls in the Sapa mountains of Vietnam. Dressed in dazzling traditional garb adorned with feathers and beads, they were there to attract tourists Yet what caught Evelyn’s eye wasn’t just the costumes it was the contrast. “Their tired, dusty faces contrasted so much with their dress. They didn’t want to be there. I smiled at them and they couldn’t even smile back. They were just too tired.”
Her advice for aspiring artists is refreshingly simple: “Find something you like to do, that you enjoy doing, and go do it a lot.” For Evelyn, that’s exactly what she’s done, from earning a BFA in painting and drawing, to a career in graphic design, to rediscovering her love for watercolor after a decade at home raising her family. Ultimately, Evelyn hopes viewers walk away from her work with a renewed appreciation for life’s beauty. “Sometimes it’s spectacular and grand, and other times it’s very small, passing moments.” And through her art, she captures both
Across her body of work, Evelyn’s watercolor paintings share a distinctive thread an ability to immerse viewers in the spirit of a place through vibrant color, intricate detail, and a storyteller’s eye Her brush captures more than just the surface of a scene; it conveys its rhythm, energy, and unspoken emotions Whether portraying the joyful motion of a festival, the quiet grace of a cultural tradition, or the candid gaze of a child, each painting feels alive with texture and atmosphere.
The interplay of light, shadow, and saturated hues creates a visual depth that draws the viewer in, as if standing in that very moment. It’s this blend of technical precision, cultural sensitivity, and emotional resonance that makes her art not simply a record of her travels, but a heartfelt invitation to experience them through her eyes
Evelyn was born into a military moving family, spending her childhood in the USA, Italy, Germany and England As an adult, she has continued her travels, living in South Korea, The Azores, Japan, and the USA. It’s little wonder that the countries she has lived in and the cultures she’s witnessed lend so much inspiration to her artistic practice. Since graduating with a BA Fine Art from the University of Hertfordshire, UK, she has completed online classes and courses in traditional painting, figurative drawing, portraiture, photography, marketing, and art business courses. She is also a member of the Watercolor Society of Alabama, American Watercolor Society, Northwest Watercolor Society, Texas Watercolor Society, Florida Watercolor Society, Women in Watercolor, and San Antonio Doriva Local Art Source.
Her work has been exhibited in galleries and shows throughout the USA, England, Italy, Portugal, South Korea, as well as Japan. She has received national and international awards for her Digital Montages, Paintings, and Photography, and her photography has been featured in both online and published magazines, articles, and newspapers. Drawing on her travel photos as source material and inspiration, she creates oil paintings and watercolors with a style that can be described as Traditional with elements of Impressionism, or Realism; liberal with vibrant color and greatly enjoying symmetry and repetition.
WhyDoriva?
Doriva is a blend of two names: Dora (my wife Gabriela’s mom) and Riva (my mom) It felt like a meaningful tribute to the women who shaped us. Then we found out that “Doriva” also refers to someone who appreciates life’s deeper things like art, music, and literature. It was the perfect match
WhyDidWeChangeOurNameto
DorivaLocalArtSource?
When we launched our gallery, the goal was to support and showcase the work of San Antonio artists. The original name made sense at the time. But as interest grew from outside the city—and as we started preparing to franchise it became clear that we needed a name that worked in any market, not just San Antonio.
We wanted something that reflected our roots but also allowed room to grow So, we rebranded
What“LocalArtSource”Means
The second half of our name is exactly what we are: a source for original, hand-painted art from local artists No prints. No mass-produced décor. Just real art by real people.
Every gallery that opens under the Doriva name will focus on local talent in its own community
ANameThatGrowsWithUs
Changing the name wasn’t just about branding it was about building something that could grow. Doriva Local Art Source gives us the flexibility to expand across the country, while staying true to what matters most: original art, local talent, and a personal touch
-Norman & the Doriva Family
Doriva Local Art Source isn'tyourtypical gallery and this isn'tyourtypical franchise. We're a modern, community-first business that makes original, local art more accessible while supporting the artists behind it. Our purpose is simple: create beautiful spaces where people reconnectwith creativity, culture, and each other.
You don't need a background in art or retail. Ifyou're a selfstarterwho values connection, creativity, and doing work that matters we'll give you the training, tools, and support to launch with confidence.
Territories now available across the USA!
“When I first stepped into the gallery, I entered as a casual observer and never imagined I would leave with a piece of art that would speak so profoundly to me. The artwork, “Confidence” by San Antonio artist Kim Anguiano (pictured above), immediately stirred something within me. I lingered, debated, and absorbed its presence before finally committing to bring it home What made the decision so memorable was the atmosphere created by the gallery owner, Norman, who guided me with genuine care and respect, never once pressing me; but, instead allowing me to fall in love with the piece on my own terms When Kim Anguina, “herself”, arrived at my door to deliver the painting, the experience became even more extraordinary. She spent over an hour with me, sharing her artistic process and answering my many questions, leaving me not just with a work of art; but, with a story, a relationship, and an indelible memory
“Purchasing
“Confidence” became so much more than a transaction it was a soulful connection, a timeless treasure, and an unforgettable reminder of what art (and the conversations they bring) can truly mean in one’s life.”
When it comes to decorating a room, many people tend to stick to one particular style of art that they feel comfortable with, but when you go outside your comfort zone, you might be pleasantly surprised with the results With the help of our virtual tools, it's easy to experiment with different styles without making any permanent changes. So don't be afraid to try something new and see how it can transform your living space!
We understand the importance of convenience and affordability when it comes to purchasing beautiful paintings That'swhywe'reproudtooffer free delivery for the majority of our paintings within the continental USA. Whether you ' re based in New York City or San Francisco, you can have your new painting delivered straight to your door without any additional costs. This means you can browse our collection of stunning works from the comfort of your own home and have them delivered to youwithease
Our free delivery service is just one of the many ways we strive to make art accessible to everyone So why wait? Browse our collection today and find yournextmasterpiece
MAKE INTEREST-FREE PAYMENTS WITH AFFIRM
Our website now offers the option to use Affirm for interest-free payments for qualified customers This means that you can divide your art purchase into smaller, monthly payments with no added interest This can make it easier to budget for your art purchases and allows you to take home a beautiful piece of art right away, rather than having to wait until you have saved up the fullamount.
To use Affirm, simply select it as your payment option at checkout and follow the prompts to complete your purchase. If you are eligible, you can choose a payment plan that fits your budget and pay off your purchase over time. This is just one of the ways we strive to make art accessible and affordable forourcustomers
