We recently connected with Brianna Ortiz and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Brianna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

My health journey has been defined by taking risks, often without certainty or guarantees. When chronic illness entered my life, I had to make difficult choices, advocating for myself, stepping away from stability, and trusting my body even when answers were unclear. Taking those risks meant redefining success, learning to listen instead of push, and choosing my long-term well-being over expectations placed on me. While the journey has been challenging, it has also strengthened my resilience and sense of self, teaching me that taking a risk on my health was the most necessary and transformative decision I’ve made.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

About a year ago, I made the difficult decision to step away from painting and modeling due to chronic illness and autoimmune disease, choosing to focus on my health and well-being full time. While that pause was deeply challenging, it also became a turning point. As I began listening to my body and honoring my limits, I found my way back to creativity in gentler, more accessible ways. I’ve since transitioned my social media content to reflect my chronic illness journey sharing honest moments, self-acceptance, and the joy I’ve rediscovered through low-energy arts and crafts, especially coloring. This shift has allowed me to reconnect with creativity not as pressure or performance, but as a source of healing, happiness, and sustainability.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I spent four years in management at a science museum, an experience that strengthened my leadership, organizational, and public-facing skills. However, as my chronic illnesses progressed, I had to step away from that role due to the demands and lack of balance it required. While I would happily return to an institution like a museum, I now envision myself in a more compassionate, sustainable role, one that prioritizes human connection and well-being rather than high-stress management. As I transition into the medical and therapeutic space and continue my studies in art therapy, I’m motivated to contribute in a way that aligns with both my health and my values.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What’s helped me begin building a reputation online is my commitment to honesty and consistency. I share my experiences with chronic illness in a way that’s both transparent and thoughtful, which has allowed people to connect with my content on a deeper level. By showing up authentically, setting realistic expectations, and creating content that prioritizes accessibility and creativity especially through low-energy art like coloring, I’ve built trust with my audience. Over time, that trust has become the foundation of my online presence and the community that continues to grow around it.

Contact Info:

• Youtube: Aspoonfulofcolor
• Other: Tiktok: Aspoonfulofcolor