We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Maria “Anamarietta” Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana Maria “Anamarietta”, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I think always trying to complete tasks that I start, one by one and prioritize instead of trying to finish everything at once, has helped me a lot to stay organized and succeed. Being an independent and self-employed artist can be tricky when trying to manage your own time and being productive. Being organized and punctual has helped me become more professional. In terms of work, I think drawing / sketching or painting for myself when I have a quiet moment, also helps a lot because it allows me to bring new ideas to life. Visiting libraries and coffee shops where I can find the environment I need at the moment to feel comfortable and create is some kind of productive self-care practice that has helped me innovate my style and designs.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey into art began with a fascination for creating things that existed only in my imagination—an addiction that took hold early on. It all started during my school years, where reading books led me to vividly imagine characters and scenes, transforming the act of reading into a captivating challenge. Growing up in the heart of Puerto Rico, surrounded by farms and mountains, provided endless inspiration for my burgeoning creativity. Despite the scarcity of art materials in my youth and the initial challenge of convincing my parents of my artistic aspirations, I persisted.

Recognition for my talent only came after college, prompting newfound support from my family. Raised without formal artistic mentorship, I took it upon myself to educate my loved ones about the potential of my art. My goal was to make imaginative art accessible to everyone, especially children, beyond the confines of museums and galleries.

My artistic journey took a significant turn when my scientific background and experience as a field agronomist in Puerto Rico began to influence my work. My initial black and white ink drawings evolved into fantastical creatures blending human and animal characteristics. To my surprise, invitations to exhibit my work at festivals soon followed, validating my passion.

My venture into mural painting began casually in Puerto Rico and gained momentum after I relocated to Houston, where demand for my murals surged. Balancing a full-time job with weekend mural commissions honed my ability to work swiftly. From there, my path as an artist unfolded, marked by collaborations with talented individuals and increasingly ambitious projects.

Today, I am privileged to teach at The Glassell School of Art, affiliated with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston—a dream come true since my arrival in the city. Additionally, I’ve had the honor of working as a scenic artist at the Alley Theatre, under the mentorship of Michelle Fullerton and Christie Gayle, whom I deeply admire and appreciate for their guidance.

Throughout this journey, passion has been my driving force—passion for people, especially children, for nature, and for enhancing community pride through art. While my path hasn’t been without challenges, I’ve learned that kindness and humility consistently lead to meaningful connections and opportunities in my artistic career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start by a day at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, a late lunch at Empire Cafe and maybe a late walk at the Downtown Aquarium. Next day I would take them to the Museum of Natural Sciences and have pizza and gelato at Luigi’s Pizza in Midtown. next day I would take them to the Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel, go thrift shopping in Montrose eat some burgers from the Burger Joint and end up at the rooftop of Post Houston for amazing sunset views of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s a lot of people I should thank for who I am in life right now. My sister, Lorna, she has been my rock and the person who always believed in me from the day I moved to Houston and my nephews Herie, Emilio and Gael who inspire and support my crazy ideas. My friends in Puerto Rico who have always supported me in the distance Sasha, Micol, Bertil, Gabi and a few more. Professionally, curator Charlotte Dutoit and JustKids, Alexis Bousquet, artist and curator in Santurce, Puerto Rico for believing in me always and inspiring me to work with the community and make my work accessible for all in the streets and around the world.

Website: www. anamarietta.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/anamarietta

Facebook: https://facebook.com/anamariettart

Other: online portfolio-
www.behance.com/anamarietta

Image Credits
All images by me.

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