We were lucky to catch up with Sandra Ortega recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sandra, thanks for joining 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 risk as a visual artist in 2024, is my reputation of not being an authentic artist. I have been using an AI app in the process of producing my latest paintings.
There is a controversy surrounding Artificial Intelligence sources and should not be used by artists, in their creations. This is a legitimate conversation to have. This is the risk I am taking. I risk criticism and skepticism from my peers and customers.
My responsibility for going out on a ledge requires an explanation of the process I use.
I was strickly a pastel artist for 25 years. I painted the physical world that was in front of me, from photos most of the time or plain aire. Then I felt a strong pull in 2020 to explore other mediums and interpretations. I explored with oils, cold wax, acrylic, oil sticks, and recently AI.
My paintings are a result of many sources to create compositions that support the CONCEPT for the painting. The part of the process using Artificial Intelligence involves uploading photos of my folded paper plane airplane paintings and sketches. I use the AI app only as a tool. I use many other sources for inspiration as well. I sketch out a map that pulls it all together. I also do thumbnail paintings of the subject I will paint.
I do not paint the image that comes straight from the AI app. The concept is authentic, the composition is authentic, and the brush strokes are authentic.
It will take time to sort it all out. I started job as a computer graphic artist in the mid-1980s. They were willing to hire and train me. I was given Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Quark to learn, on the first Apple box computer. At that time there was some controversy about the validity of computer art. But it seems to be accepted now.
My attitude is the message is the SPARK! The medium supports the spark!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My interest in art took root growing up in Anaheim California. My 6th grade teacher entered 2 paintings I did in class, into the Laguna Beach Art Festival, children’s section. That is when I told myself I was an artist. I have spent the rest of my life pursuing art education and creating art. I majored in sculpture at Cal State Fullerton, 1974-77.
My career as a computer graphics artist spanned from 1984, and still to today I’m doing graphic illustrations for transfers on apparel. In 2011 my husband Larry and I ventured to open an art gallery in the heart of Phoenix, AZ, named “Obliq”. We later opened the adjacent space to extend the gallery, named “Luxx”. We curated monthly rotating art exhibits and poetry readings. First Friday art receptions had live music. We ran the galleries until 2014. We now hosting annual art events “Soirees” at our home gallery. We showcase art and artists, food, fashion and music.
Realizing there were a lot of artists in our community of Sunnyslope in Phoenix, we were both inspired in 2018 to create the annual Sunnyslope Open Studio Tour. We passed that responsibility on to a wonderful group of artists who run it each year. During this time I was a pastel artist, member and on the board of the Arizona Pastel Artists group, and member of the Pastel Society of America.
My current work evolved from simple paintings of folded paper airplanes, with geometric folds. I am now creating visual stories of how I interpret the world and the times we live in, translated into a Visual Abstract Voice. Some of my paintings have references to the book of Psalms, spiritual and cultural themes. The themes are evolving and included are the flying vessels. I’m working now to formulate my next series.
Things I am most proud of are; My husband Larry, also an artist, and I, we have been together for 50 years! I’m proud of our 2 grown children and 6 grandchildren, great one on the way!
Artistically I am proud to tell you that in 1984, when a lot of the art world hadn’t heard of computer art, it was before Apple computer was on the market, I took a job to learn how to create objects on a screen, with depth perception, blended shadows and color using only a mouse and buttons! It was so foreign and very frustrating. I almost walked away, but I hung in there and overcame. It was one of the most valuable choices I made.
I am also proud that after painting strictly in the medium of soft pastel for 25 years, in 2020 I stepped out of my comfort zone to explore deeper creative expressions in different mediums. It has been a time of tremendous growth.
I am now confident that I can take a complex thought or inspiration and turn it into a painted visual story on canvas or board. And I am still using my computer to assist me!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I was nearing completing my goal of finishing college. I had one more Spring semester to finish, and I would have my BA in art sculpture. On Christmas break, I went into labor, and my husband and I had our first child. At that time, I didn’t have the support with childcare that I thought I would have to finish up the Spring semester. So I didn’t go back and finish. My family kept growing with a daughter now, and the thought of finishing was getting further and further away. So it’s been a sort of dark cloud over that subject.
It wasn’t until I turned 70 that this epiphany came to me. Several years ago, I read a book by Malcolm Gladwell called “Tipping Point.” In it, he referred to a concept: the 10,000-hour rule, the key to achieving true expertise. One day, it just clicked, and the dots connected. It had a tremendous effect on me when I realized I had put in my 10,000!
The dark cloud went away, and I really did UNLEARN what I had been telling myself for way too long.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist has two parts. Being able to express your thoughts in whatever discipline you choose is so valuable and freeing.
The other rewarding outcome is finally coming to a convergence of style, approach, subject, medium, and the magic of color, feeling confident that I can take an inspiring concept, visualize it, and complete it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandraortegaart.com
- Instagram: @sandrakortega
- Facebook: Sandra Caldwell Ortega
Image Credits
Larry Ortega, Artplacer