Conversations with Nicole Angamarca

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Angamarca.

Hi Nicole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Nicole Angamarca, and I am an emerging artist and illustrator based in Queens, New York. I grew up in Ecuador, but I was born in Connecticut. Since childhood, I have had a deep love for the arts. At age 9, I participated in various sports and singing competitions between schools. When I had the opportunity to live here at age 15, school became another challenge; relearning English was not easy. During this time, I went through a very dark period that greatly affected my entire senior year, especially with the added difficulty of the COVID-19 lockdown. During my senior year, I decided to take an art class out of curiosity, never imagining it would become the reason I am still here. My teacher then, Miss Paty, saw my potential, and one day she emailed me about submitting one of my pieces for the P.S. Art 2021 Student Showcase, held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The piece that ultimately won first place was called “The Devil’s Uma Mask.” This artwork meant a lot to me because it represented my cultural heritage and family history in Ecuador. When Miss Paty called to tell me I won, I couldn’t believe it. It helped me overcome my struggles and opened up a new vision for my career as an illustrator. I owe everything to Miss Paty; she never gave up on me and believed in me so much that she pushed my passion for the arts even further.

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?
Since the beginning of my journey as an illustrator, the path has never been smooth. During my time at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I was unable to fully immerse myself in the classes due to numerous responsibilities outside of school, and having a part-time job made things even more challenging. I remember feeling exhausted and how managing my time became a constant struggle. Still, with the support of my friends and family, my time at school was enjoyable, and I was able to develop an art style that I had sought for a long time.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialized in illustration and interactive media. I mainly create illustrations based on personal experiences, folktales, and extraordinary stories from my culture. It also involves self-discovery and how to seek healing through art. During my time at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I had the incredible opportunity to be mentored by talented professionals, helping me develop illustrations that reflect my identity and honor my cultural heritage. My proudest pieces are a series of paintings inspired by folktales from Ecuador; these are called “El Chuzalongo,” “La leyenda de Cantuña,” and “La laguna de Yaguarcocho.” I believe what sets me apart is my experience of living in two different worlds. Growing up in Ecuador, I saw firsthand how people live in poverty, yet they remain happy and cherish the freedom their lands offer. Here in New York, because it’s “the city that never sleeps,” many people get caught up in routine, hoping for a better tomorrow, often sacrificing their health. For me, my biggest challenge is accurately representing the values of where I grew up and translating those feelings into work that can inspire positive change, because I know how tired we all are.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
While growing up, I was a very active kid; I never rested. You could see me doing five different sports each week, a straight-A student, singing competitions, a professional basketball player, and more sorts of things. I remember I was always looking to help people, whether my parents, my friends, or the elderly. For a while, I wanted to become a successful singer, and winning competitions was just the first step for it. Later, I wanted to become a lawyer since my passion for justice was really strong. Somehow, along the way, I still chose a creative career, but the idea of being successful academically is exciting, and the idea of being a lawyer is something I’m looking forward to for the next few years of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicoleangamarca.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleangamarcaa/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-angamarca-59398823a/