Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Ortiz.
Hi Amy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My parents always stressed that I’d go to college, and I automatically knew that that meant art school. I’m lucky in that way because I never had a doubt about the general field of my future career. I studied Fine Art at Otis and, after graduation, worked with galleries. That was brief because it didn’t fully gratify me, and I was really awkward at receptions. From there, I went into freelancing as a graphic designer. But that model could be a little isolated at times and the trajectory in which I was growing professionally felt too slow. I knew I liked working with my hands and wanted a team to bounce ideas with, so instead, I shifted gears and focused on staff work in the commercial arts as a designer with a focus on production.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? No. A fun one? Yes! In the beginning, I struggled as a freelancer because the resources in my studio, i.e., my kitchen table or living room floor, were limited. Thus, deciding to work as a staff designer for a few different companies opened up new possibilities for me because I’ve been fortunate enough to have employers who are willing to share their access to either software, machinery, or materials with me. Technology impacts EVERYTHING. I was taught to embrace the ebbs and flows of how companies and clientele integrate this into their needs and projects. One of my best motivators was a mentor, Bert Johnson. He was in his 80s and very sharp with both setting up artwork and MacGyver-ing any system to make screen-printing a special project fully accessible. He taught me drive and to immediately reassess when met with a challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m in a really good place right now, where I’m juggling 4 facets of my career. I’m an illustrator, a printer, a crafter, and teacher. My “day job” is great because I work at a wallpaper company in the valley where my strength lies in illustrating custom patterns. These patterns are drawn/painted both by hand in watercolor, Gouache, etc., or rendered digitally. Then I’ve spent the past 6 years getting back into screen-printing, which has led to some neat collaborative work with projects like Hoodrats Comics. It’s a developing comic strip which chronicles the recent changes in neighborhoods on the Eastside by touching on gentrification, pop culture, and cultural identity. I’ve designed and screen-printed this project’s merchandise. I grew up in East LA and that history has made this a meaningful endeavor for me because it reminds me of themes within my own work, like with the portrait series of female members of my family. The overall compositions are based on formal European portraiture coupled with fantastic contemporary iconography that helps identity the character of the sitting individual. I constantly have a painting or drawing in a state of completion while I juggle other projects such as the small runs I screenprint of my own designs. My personal work is dappled with themes of identity and class disparity, and when possible, I like to repurpose materials to use as my substrates. For instance, I’ve made dainty clutches from vintage dinner napkins, or if there’s a roll of canvas or felt headed out to the dumpster at work, I’ll snag it and cut it up for my next zipper pouches. Screenprinting in recent years was a godsend because it’s made a significant enhancement in my professional career. Let me back up: in 2017, after applying to grad school one last time and not getting in, I looked for screen-printing courses at the local community colleges. I just need something new to develop and found it there! After spending a fews years in the department at the LATTC, the main instructor and I discussed the possibility of him mentoring me to take over the program after he retired. I’m finally on the cusp of entering that new phase formally. It’s a good life.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I do like to look at Pinterest every once in a while, when I’m feeling stuck. The onslaught of just a ton of imagery can be stimulating, and it’ll usually spark something within me. But I know I can’t handle that all the time. When it comes to books, I like reading fiction and looking at old paperback artwork. In regards to the artwork, anything will do-Fabio romances or pulp covers- they all have something to offer.
Pricing:
- Shirts- $30 (Plus S&H)
- CACA State Screenprint- $200 (Plus S&H)
- Sucia Plates (designs vary)- $50 (Plus S&H)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amyortizart.wixsite.com/amyortizart
- Instagram: @amyortizart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyortizart/
Image Credits
Gabriel Jaramillo
