Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Cruz Ortiz.
Hi Karina, 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 backstories with our readers?
I think I have always been called to arts. My mom is a really good artist herself, and as a kid as well as in later years she was always supportive of the practice; she taught me those first steps. Growing up I focused on dance and sports, but always did art on the side as a hobby. That was until one day I joined a school art activity, urged by my then art teacher, and painted live. That night I sold my first painting, and I think that showed me that what I did had value to other people as well.
From there, I transferred to an arts high school back home in Puerto Rico (the Escuela Especializada en Bellas Artes de Cayey), and was taught multiple art techniques in fields such as graphic design, mosaics, architecture, painting, etc. Studying there and being surrounded by other talented artists as well as having guest speakers come in and show that art branches out into so many different careers pushed me to take the leap and dedicate myself to creating. That’s how I ended up an illustration major at SCAD!
Personally, my school teachers and family have been my biggest support. They have always believed in me and my abilities, and for that, I couldn’t thank them enough; it’s because of them I found a path I’m happy.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all! It is incredibly basic, but there was always the worry that art wasn’t really enough to make a career out of. At one point in my life, it wasn’t even an option due to the generalized comments about artists and the lack of understanding there is about their importance and effect on everyday life.
There isn’t enough talk about how many opportunities there are for artistic creatives and how diverse the field is. Back home there aren’t many colleges or universities that focus on modern digital arts either, so it was hard deciding to leave the comfort of my home and travel to an unknown place to start all over.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an illustrator and fine artist and specialize in the human figure! I love to do portraits, hand drawings, gestural figure sketches, and all that has to do with anatomy. The natural world and aspects of the environment I was raised in, such as plantain leaves and warm lively colors are also a trend that can be noticed in my works.
I gather a lot from Puerto Rico’s 50s DIVEDCO (Division of Community Education) graphic style as well, mostly when it comes to graphic design or simpler illustrations. Materials and techniques wise, I focus on oil paints and chalky mediums such as charcoal or chalk pastels, though when it comes to portraits I prefer to do graphite on toned paper. Recently I’ve been polishing and practicing digital art as well.
I’m most proud of my eagerness to keep learning and trying out new styles, as well as seeing more and more improvements as I go. I think my versatility and attention to detail in my works have set me apart from others.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m currently building and carving my own path, but I’d like to encourage and inspire other women to pursue arts and take the leap if they truly have a passion or calling for it. There is a lack of diversity in many of the arts industries, and representation is crucial to the formation of an inclusive, diversified future in the creative fields.
If you know someone who is interested and committed to learning and improving their craft, supports them, and believe in them, as that is all an artist has at times. My contact is always available to everyone who’s interested in learning or collaborating. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: karinacruzo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kcruzarte
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcruzarte
