This issue’s Cover Artist is Veronica Ortega. In addition to the cover acrylic painting titled Native Abundance, her artwork is sprinkled throughout the poetry, fiction, and nonfiction contributions. Here’s a Q&A for insights into her arte.

Erin Michaela Sweeney, managing editor: Who are some of your inspirations?
Veronica Ortega: Artists like muralist Juana Alicia from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Impressionists and early twentieth-century Mexican artists, their styles and lives, to name a few. The Chicano movement, lowrider lifestyle, and my family’s history being second and fourth generations from Arizona, Mexico/New Mexico is inspiring to me.

EMS: What motivates you to share your artwork?
VO: I usually share when a piece feels like I have truly revealed myself or when an image speaks to a larger community. My Chicana experience, life journey, family, interests, and cultura are presented in my work.

EMS: Where did you learn some of your artistic skills?
VO: I am thankful for taking art classes at Riverside Community and Moreno Valley College, where I was introduced to printmaking and expanded my drawing and painting skills. I learned from talented instructors including Amy Balent, Denise Kramer, and Carleton Christy.

EMS: When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
VO: As a child I drew and was creative. Twenty years ago, I began journaling and writing short pieces. This sparked a creative process that led me back to visual arts.  I began to concentrate on my painting, took the classes, and became aware that I had a gift to cultivate and share with others. It took some time for me to call myself an artist.

EMS: Why is creativity important to you?
VO: Creativity is a motivator and energetic process that surfaces in all aspects of my life. When I’m creating work or solving small problems, I learn from the possibilities to continue on.

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