Latino Hispanic Culture, Art and Film at Bullfighter’s Cafe

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A few months ago Angela Ortiz’s amazing cityscapes were displayed at the J. Ferrari Gallery, the moment we saw the colors dance and electrify the wall we knew we wanted to feature these works of art. When colors stun you with their vibrancy and wake up your visual senses, you know you’re seeing something special. If you ever get a chance to see Angela’s photography be sure to treat your eyes, your soul will thank you for it.
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I was born in Colón, Panamá and I lived there for the first ten years of my life. I have many, many fond memories from Panamá growing up with my great grandmother and the rest of my familia, but Los Angeles is home now for many years and my family has expanded here.

I would say we were raised Latino with many North American traits. When we came to the U.S., my brother and I had to learn English, but still remember our Spanish (My brother forgot most of his Spanish). My Mother made us watch game shows on TV to help us with our English and understanding of the American culture. My mother, like a lot of Latin mothers, was the law, but at the same time she gave us a lot of freedom and apoyo to explore the city we lived in. This was the late sixties and seventies. My mom also read a lot, so my brother and I were avid readers and we still are. So while we were doing these things, we ate a lot of arroz con pollo, platano frito and seafood and there were always family parties with Latin music and dancing.

I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I used to watch an older cousin draw and I wanted to do it too. He would give me some pointers and these are part of my memories of Panamá, finding any excuse to get drawing paper and crayons.

As I got older I straddled between being a teacher and an artist, ARTIST won. I majored in studio arts in college, that way I got to experience the difference between oil, charcoal, pastels, stone, wood and ceramics. Oil painting became my form of expression. I describe my paintings as primitive expressionism. Along the way I took a couple of photography classes and what can I say, it’s become a major part of my life.

With my photography, I’ve taken inspiration from my background in painting and the city I live in. Los Angeles and its surrounding area is my muse. I get inspiration from other painters (Picasso, Gauguin,O’Keeffe, Kahlo) and photographers (Cunningham, Adams, Weston, Alvarez Bravo), just to mention a few. I am also inspired by, photographers that I know like Andrew Ward and Domenico Foschi. I still use film, but about four months ago I got my first digital camera and I’ve been having so much fun with it.

About three years ago I realized that I love the photography process, but I missed the power of color and I wanted it back since I was shooting mostly in black and white. I wanted control of the color in a way that went beyond the limitations presented by regular natural color photography. I started digitizing some of my more interesting film-photographs, and then began to play with those images on Mac in Photoshop. I liked the results. It didn’t bother me if they didn’t look like paintings, with brush-strokes and fine details. I liked the energy the computer colors gave them. It was giving my images new life and I continue to enjoy exploring this digital medium.

I’ve accomplished things I never dreamed of. A few months ago I got to curate a photography show which I really loved. I’ve been a magazine publisher and last year I decided to publish a book of my own photography called Lines & amp; Textures. As an artist I think we’re always working on our dream(s). We hope that when people see our work, they will derive as much pleasure from it, as we experience in creating it.

I have been a freelance art director/graphic artist most of my adult life. I decided about seven years back to concentrate on my photography and at this point, I think I’ve made the right decision. I think my career is moving forward and I’m not looking back. As a Latina artist or just being a woman artist, I do think we have to work harder. Here in Los Angeles, they are so many artists trying to get collectors to see their work. I’m a Latina photographer trying to get my name out there on my own. It’s a challenge, but when someone says, “I LIKE YOUR WORK”, that’s a big reward for me.

www.amosartstudio.com
View more work in the BFC art gallery

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