Alma Arizpe, an exuberant Mexican-American artist, upholds three pillars which have contributed to the success of her artwork: discipline, self-awareness and resourcefulness. The combination of these three, she says, communicate “si se puede!” which translates to, “yes, it can be done!”
“Discipline gives me focus and an intention on the piece. Regardless of the subject, I stay inspired to bring a piece to completion. I can look at a piece of driftwood for an hour, then massage an idea until I recognize how to give it a new life. My art process takes patience, time and commitment,” Arizpe explains.
Bringing new life and transformation to materials that might otherwise be tossed is evident in many of Arizpe’s pieces, such as “Un Corazon dos Fridas,” where reclaimed wood with acrylic paint and resin were burned and brought together.
With textures, placement and colors, Arizpe transforms unwanted items into works with a heart and soul that can arouse viewers’ emotions.
“My intention as an artist is very evident in the materials I choose: recycled and found objects. I believe in second chances and reclaim them. When I manipulate these unrelated objects and bring them to a cohesive piece of art, it reflects the folkloric influence of my native homeland, Mexico. Bold, vibrant, saturated colors breathe life’s energy to what were once discarded items.”
Arizpe’s second pillar, self-awareness, was nurtured in Saltillo Coahuila, a growing and vibrant industrial and cultural city in the north of Mexico, where she was raised. It is a region known for its proximity to universities, galleries and prevalent cultural events.
The surrounding natural environment, which includes mountains, canyons, desert and dense forests, is where her deep respect for nature was fostered, and her mixed-medium pieces illustrate the interdependence of wildlife and human life.
Her large mural, “Alebrijes,” refers to the mystical and colorful animal interpretations of her Mexican culture, and demonstrates her love of animals with brightly colored Floridian wildlife in a style of Mexican folk art.
In it, a panther takes center stage, intersecting peacefully with turtles, manatees and dolphins across the mural. The piece was painted on a wooden canvas as part of the Brevard Zoo’s Happy Hour: Bold Murals Edition. Arizpe was one of 12 artists chosen from 75 submissions, and completed it over a three-day period.
“Self-awareness is how my faith and values emerge in a piece. My heritage and spirituality are inherent in my artistic expression; it is in my DNA. I learned to train my mind to be stimulated by everything, and especially the natural environment,” says Arizpe.
Her third pillar, resourcefulness, is reflected in “Frida las Flores” a striking tribute to Frida Kahlo, simultaneously depicting her womanly determination, strength and beauty. The portrait was created with blended acrylic paints and resin, found metal, sculpting, and pyrography on reclaimed wood.
It earned honorable mention in an Unusual Frida Art Show, which annually celebrates Kahlo’s legacy.
“The prompt was the true Frida and knowing that not everyone can portray her, the material I used to make it was hardwood, metal, pyrography,” says Arizpe, adding that she knew her creation would be an unusual Frida.
“As soon the idea surfaced, I sketched it. My process for all my work begins with a sketch. The idea percolates in my head and if it happens to be on a weekend, then I work on it continuously.”
Devoting a weekend to her art can be both a joy and a sacrifice. Arizpe is employed full-time as a marketing manager for a local Vero Beach business that imports martial arts equipment and law enforcement technology.
She has a degree in art education, and she taught art prior to her marketing career, which includes graphic design. Arizpe says it’s important to stay abreast of the latest technology with computer graphics, whereas teaching art is open to self-expression and interpretation.
“With graphic design I can’t lose track of the trends, but employment allows me to pursue my artwork, which is influenced by my heritage. Art education is a symbiotic process. Teaching art is not so much structure as in math and grammar. With teaching art, the student is the portal, and the teacher is the conduit.”
Arizpe describes herself as an avid learner, which has led her to many unique experiences. For example, when kayaking she is immersed in nature’s colors, shapes, water and sky, all of which engage her senses. Soon, she is no longer looking out but reflecting inward, activating and inspiring her creative process.
“Nature is my source and stimulus, and that’s why in learning about nature you learn to be a steward, to perpetuate our ecosystem for another generation.”
Her work “Si Se Puede,” which was included in Orlando’s Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future exhibit, affirms that belief. In it, gnarled branches streaming upward symbolize struggle, a madre or abuela tosses what resembles a fisherman’s net, and the multitude of colors streaming forward represent possibilities and rising above.
Her work has been exhibited at the Environmental Learning Center Gallery, several galleries in downtown Vero Beach, and at various other exhibitions in Orlando.
“I would welcome to have an exhibit in public places to honor Spanish Heritage Month here in Vero,” adds Arizpe with a warm smile.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
