Today we’d like to introduce you to Krisztianna Ortiz.
Hi Krisztianna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I’m a first-generation American, born to parents who fled the war in Hungary as refugees. Their backgrounds, marked by previous marriages and diverse experiences, gave me a rich tapestry of family, culture, and upbringing. Growing up, I was surrounded by a blend of Hungarian heritage and American influences. However, one of the most profound influences on me came from the small immigrant community from Michoacán. While I am a guest in their culture, I deeply treasure the connections and synchronicity I’ve felt with them, which have enriched my perspective and influenced my artistic journey.
In my small-town upbringing, I spent hours drawing with my mom on rolls of butcher paper in our kitchen. Her support, along with my father’s, who worked as an ironworker and blacksmith, nurtured my artistic passion. This foundation led me to pursue a degree in Illustration & Graphic Design from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.
For the next two decades, I immersed myself in the world of Entertainment Advertising, refining my skills in design, photography, and visual storytelling. Eventually, I rose to the position of creative director, spearheading creative campaigns and honing my craft further.
Transitioning from the advertising world, I now focus on nurturing my family and exploring my artistic expression. Alongside homeschooling my seven-year-old, I channel my creativity through various mediums, including sculpting in mixed media, painting in watercolor and acrylic, and constantly seeking to refine my skills. Through platforms like Patreon and my website, I share my work with others, offering prints and original pieces to those who appreciate my vision.
In essence, my journey has been shaped by a blend of diverse influences, from my immigrant roots to my experiences in the creative industry. Each chapter has contributed to who I am today—an eclectic artist dedicated to both personal growth and sharing my passion with the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No one’s journey is ever entirely smooth, and mine certainly hasn’t been either. Creating art is something I feel compelled to do. It’s not about whether people buy it or not; it’s about the deep urge to express myself creatively. The act of making art is the easy part for me—it’s a fundamental part of who I am.
However, there have been challenges along the way. During college, affording materials was a constant struggle. I remember dumpster diving for cardboard to paint on just so I could complete my schoolwork. I often had to skip meals to afford quality canvases and boards for my projects.
Another hurdle has been navigating gallery shows. I’m not naturally inclined to be a social butterfly, so talking about my art on the spot can be daunting. Yet, I find immense joy in being around the art of others and hearing about their creative processes. It’s a disconnect I’m still learning to navigate.
Nowadays, balancing my role as a mother and homeschooler with my art practice is the biggest challenge. Every moment I spend on my art feels like time taken away from my child, and the guilt can weigh heavily on me, impacting my creative process.
But perhaps the overarching challenge is staying true to myself and ensuring that I give back to the communities that influence my art style. While I create various forms of art, my work inspired by Dia De Muertos has gained significant popularity. As a white person of Eastern European descent, I’m constantly reflecting on my role in this space. It’s crucial for me to listen, learn, and recognize when I’m taking up space that isn’t meant for me and when to use my privilege to uplift artists from the cultures that inspire me. Marrying a beautiful human from Michoacán has deepened my understanding of the importance of preserving and continuing our multicultural heritage, especially for the sake of our child. It’s a responsibility I take to heart, and it fuels my dedication to honoring and respecting the communities that shape my art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in being all over the place. I draw cute uni-kitties and whiskerflies, unicorns, and witches; then I sculpt beheaded women that continue to bloom and grow despite the trauma inflicted on their body and psyche. I paint skulls and fantasy creatures in watercolor, I put shiny foil on whatever will take it, I draw in graphite and colored pencils the depths of sorrow that grief lays on us, and I paint and draw flowers I see on my hikes because it brings me peace. Life is a churn of pain and beautiful moments. We are all spinning through space on a gemstone of a planet, we are made from stars, and we will return to them. So, I kind of make whatever makes me feel better, and so I cannot stop making things. The joy is when someone connects with my art, and then they feel seen in their healing or their struggle.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built on Patreon. Though small in numbers, it has been an incredibly supportive space where I can share my creative process and mistakes and seek feedback. After college, finding such a nurturing community was challenging. They’ve stood by me through life’s toughest moments, including the loss of family members, which deeply affected my creativity and productivity. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been a true blessing, helping me to keep creating even when faced with adversity. I’m endlessly grateful for their presence, as they now cover the expenses of my website, hosting, and Dropbox account. They’ve truly become an integral part of my artistic journey, and I cannot thank them enough.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my perspective. While I may not see myself as extraordinary, I bring a unique outlook shaped by my experiences and struggles. Like everyone else, I’m just trying to navigate life and express myself the best way I know how. My art is a reflection of that journey—imperfect, ever-evolving, and deeply human.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I love love love this question! There are too many, so I will give my top 10
1. My husband, the love of my life, my rock and biggest supporter, who enables me to focus on my art by taking care of our child during studio time.
2. My parents rest their souls, who said I could be anything and gave me the self-confidence to weather the critics.
3. My sister Maya, an architect, a lover of historical art and architecture, whose unwavering kindness and support means the world to me, surprising me with thoughtful artbooks and sending me cool articles that get my art brain excited.
4. My Patrons at Patreon, because ya’ll inspire me to keep making! You also give great feedback and hold a safe space for artistic exploration.
5. The people who provide me with perspective, like the lady at the art show who didn’t realize I was the artist and openly expressed her disdain for the artwork. Her words while she shivered, “I would buy all of this just so I could burn it – it’s terrible,” made me realize the potential impact of my art on emotional wounds, prompting me to consider that my art is not just my own experience, but also that of the viewer.
Similarly, encountering haters like the unnamed college teacher who said I should focus on more feminine things since I’m a girl, and we have enough boys drawing scary ghoulish things, and that I’m a “terrible artist and really need to do art school from the beginning all over again.”
6. 11:11 A Creative Collective. They really did something amazing and launched my sculpture career with their group shows, putting me in the right place at the right time. They pull artists together with their communities and have been a gift to everyone who encounter them.
7. Artist and curator Luis Villanueva and his partner Leo. Their invitations to Day Of The Dead events at Hollywood Forever gave space to my multi-cultural art, introduced me to a brilliant community, and got so many eyes on my work. Luis also has a deep love for art, and I learned a lot by listening to him speak about artists and what he appreciated about their work.
8. Gallery owner Jamie Blair for believing in me enough to host 2 of my solo shows in Burbank in her gallery boutique, which both sold out. Additionally, her talented and patient husband, Bryan Blair, who became a mentor for a short time. He invited me into his backyard workshop and helped me improve my sculpture techniques and mold-making.
9. Sculptor Mathew J. Levin. I took one class from him, and I learned such an incredible amount about Monster Clay, wire armatures, creating texture, and more. It elevated my sculpting, and I can hardly wait to make the time to take another class from him. He continues to inspire me with his detailed creations that he posts online.
10. Anyone who has ever bought my art. Each time that happens, it is like getting a rush of validation, then a healthy battle with imposter syndrome, to at last be eased into gratefulness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://krisztianna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisztianna
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Krisztianna
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Krisztianna
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Krisztianna
