A conversation on how natural light effects her art; being present, and the importance of a routines.
Emma Ortiz studied at Parson’s New York for her Bachelor of Art and Florida International University where she obtained her Master’s. Currently she paints in a garage like studio in Miami, using natural light to paint.
Ortiz’s oil paintings of orchids are a blend of impressionism and abstract expressionism in a way that feels uniquely modern, yet invokes a zen-like nostalgia. Perhaps the pastel colors reflects romantic humidity from her hometown of Miami — A city which isn’t particularly known for a quiet lifestyle. Though, it is hard to imagine Emma’s art emerging from any other part of the U.S.
“Bringing in that natural light and that sense of backyard-ness. Just kind of that like authentic day to day routine in my practice is really important.”
One of the unique aspects to Emma Ortiz’s Instagram page, and what definitely caught my eye is her use of 35mm film. Artists tend to shy away from the film (I assume there’s too much variables that can occur as you photograph, especially art). She embraces it. To Emma Ortiz, her social media account is an extension of her artistic voice.
“I find that there’s so many steps to being an artist, the first step is finding a voice.”
After she finally decided to put her art online, Emma Ortiz realized that’s an entirely different voice in its own. Most of us maybe familiar with this phenomenon, how we present ourselves in person versus on social media can be entirely separate personas. Like the difference from a musicians stage presence and their normal life, it can make or break an artist. Artists tend to struggle with that thin veil of a phone screen, especially when their medium is physical rather than digital.
Emma Ortiz discovered that photographing her paintings on film and uploading images digitally help maintain the zen-like quality of her pieces. “I think that [film] adds that extra layer of spontaneity, that it happened and I went on with my day.”
When did you first notice natural light played a role in your art?
During the pandemic she moved from school in New York back to Miami to study from home.
“I took over the whole backyard at my house, then started painting every single day. Now, I began to understand how the light would effect, as the day went on. Those were things that I was not taking account of before. From 11-6, was like, at 6 the light would come in like crazy, and it like came down on me. That essence of natural light came about [in my paintings] naturally.”
Do you think it like effects your mood? Like as you’re painting, it like changes the emotion of the painting?
“I definitely think so, I’m very effected by weather randomly. Like on a rainy day, you obviously push through, but I definitely don’t enjoy it. Especially with how my studio is laid out. If I could have a sunny day every single day of my life, that would be the best day. Miami has a lot of sun but also a lot of rain, so learning to navigate that has taught me patience.”
It really inspires me that warmth — and that realizing that this is a day, and like how could you forget that when you are immersed in the light is changes as the hours pass.
That’s an interesting way to put it: “like recognizing that you’re in a day.” Sometimes it’s hard to like, do that, honestly.
“These are the things that painting has taught me. Kind of like that simplicity, that and also being outside. Before this, I loved looking at pictures of the outside. I’m not someone who’s super outdoorsy, but I loved being immersed in the natural light.”
So like a lot of your paintings are of flowers, how did you land on that?
“I love flowers, so I was like automatically attracted to that. When I started painting outside, I had like a background in illustration — So like narrative. So, for me, everything had to come from your imagination. Which is amazing, but at least for me, it could get a little bit exhaustive, cause everything has to come from your imagination all the time.
“Even as the pandemic started, I was still like working like that [from imagination]. I was working on this big painting in my backyard, but it was also April and that’s when the orchids started to bloom, like really beautifully.”
After hesitating — she didn’t want to paint a standard plain air art piece. Emma couldn’t resist from painting orchids then began testing out a few paintings she realized the imaginative part of her began to fill in the blanks. Only glancing at the orchids quickly for reference from about 20 feet away.
“I starting realizing that I could put so much personality, and feeling, and emotion, in a form that was already recognizable, and that I already loved. There’s something really kind of funky about flower.
“It started out of, like, pure love for them, and then making it have substance, finding a way for that.”
It wasn’t until 2020 Emma Ortiz began painting. While in school, she was mostly doing digital illustrations, what she knew about painting came from her art classes.
You mentioned earlier that routine is really important to your artwork, could you elaborate on that?
“To preface, I’m a Virgo, so I’m like very routine oriented. Though painting has taught me to be in the moment more, I find that I still do the same routine before I start. I usually start painting in the afternoon like after lunch. So like the way the light filters into my studio between 8-noon, the light is just beaming into my studio.”
“It’s honestly a simple routine. I usually put my phone away, put on some music, put my gloves and apron on, then like zone out. I really don’t like to use my phone or anything. I try to put myself in the present moment. I don’t like to plan anything, I’ll start with a very loose idea of what I want to do.”
Have you presented in a gallery? What is that like?
“Ya so I presented in a gallery a few times. Each time it’s a little bit different. I’ve shown [my art] in spaces here in Miami, three different times. Twice with people I knew, and once, this February as a solo show.”
“It’s interesting because, you never know what to expect, it’s different every time. I’ve done a show, a group show in Madrid. I’m assuming they found me online. Everyone was so helpful and like willing to help.”
What are you most looking forward to in the future?
“I’m really looking forward to grow. When I started trusting myself, and aligning my thought with what I wanted —how I wanted to make work and stuff. I feel like things started to make more sense, like things became a lot more clear.”
“So I think that’s a really beautiful thing about trusting and putting yourself out there every single day, and being grateful for the moment. ‘Cause I really believe when you put good energy out there, it comes back. Obviously, not every day is amazing, and everyone has hardships — like, no life is perfect. Just putting yourself out there and what is meant to happen will happen.”
Be sure to check out the rest of her work on Instagram: @ emmaortizart
