The most important component of my artistic practice is myself and what makes up my personality and interests. They are greatly influenced by cultures like my heritage, where I grew up and my interests in movies, video games, and music. I am Chicana and as I have gotten older I have become more involved and more proud in being Mexican American and the culture of being a first-generation born Mexican. I grew up in Los Angeles which has such a big mixture of people and art that surrounded me while growing up. I grew up listening to music in other languages, eating food from other cultures and backgrounds, and seeing different types of art as well. Growing up there was this stigma of being Mexican or different and I was very disconnected from myself.
I am a huge horror fan and love to consume any zombie films, shows, or books about them. I would be one hundred percent unwilling to remove any of the influence that these cultures might have had on me. Early in my college journey, I had professors who would look down on my art and didn’t understand what I was trying to do and express until I returned to school and had professors that helped me push my art, learn more and embrace myself. Personally, when it comes to school or personal projects, I don't like it when people tell me to filter these horror or cultural elements out when it’s impossible for me to do so when they are strongly embedded within me. It is the reason why when I make art I try to include or even just be influenced by one of these elements. I like to incorporate horror pop culture into my self-portraits. Showing myself as a zombie, film character, or the final girl protagonist. I also enjoy making art that expresses my heritage.
I am a huge horror fan and love to consume any zombie films, shows, or books about them. I would be one hundred percent unwilling to remove any of the influence that these cultures might have had on me. Early in my college journey, I had professors who would look down on my art and didn’t understand what I was trying to do and express until I returned to school and had professors that helped me push my art, learn more and embrace myself. Personally, when it comes to school or personal projects, I don't like it when people tell me to filter these horror or cultural elements out when it’s impossible for me to do so when they are strongly embedded within me. It is the reason why when I make art I try to include or even just be influenced by one of these elements. I like to incorporate horror pop culture into my self-portraits. Showing myself as a zombie, film character, or the final girl protagonist. I also enjoy making art that expresses my heritage.