We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yuri Ortiz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yuri, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I feel that all my inspirations and works come from an endless source that sometimes is hard for me to handle. My creativity is a beast that never rests. I don’t use the word “beast” in a negative sense, but rather as an acknowledgment of its power. It’s not that I struggle to keep it awake, it’s that sometimes I don’t know how to make it rest.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Yuri Ortiz, aka Yuskadd, a Mexican painter and art curator. In addition to painting, I specialize in creating content for tattoo artists. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with tattoo studios in several U.S. cities such as Salt Lake City, Chicago, Seattle, and San Jose. I have also had the chance to meet tattoo artists and studios in France, Spain, and Mexico.
Painting has always been my passion. However, but due to the tragic loss of the father of my child, and my teenage pregnancy, back in 2001, I had to make a pause in my career as a painter, which I resumed 17 years later.
Currently I am collaborating with the artist collective “Misery & Co. Tattoo” in Salt Lake City, Utah, as an artist and curator for my first art exhibition “When life imitates AI” inspired by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into our everyday lives. Through this series of paintings, I address the growing concern and fear that A.I. might render artists “jobless”. I recreate my sculptures in acrylic paintings using photographs I’ve taken as reference, emulating the manner in which artificial intelligence operates. I’m also working on my tattoo apprenticeship.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Constant curiosity: Learning through experimentation has been crucial. Big gestures aren’t necessary; sometimes just trying a new food or adopting a new style can be enlightening. The key is to keep an open mind.
Rebirth is possible at any age: After a 17-year hiatus, I rediscovered my passion for painting at 36. Now that I’m 40, I’ve decided to start my tattoo apprenticeship. It’s never too late to rediscover yourself.
Art as an emotional channel: Facing pain and turning it into art has been one of the most revealing experiences of my life. Above all adversity, there’s always an opportunity to create.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I recently read “The Women behind Picasso” by Spanish art historian and writer Eugenia Tenenbaum. As a woman artist, this book has reset my life. The author with unparalleled genius, makes visible the important role of women in art throughout history, and how the careers of male artists have unfortunately been built on the labor, knowledge and ingenuity of many women artists who have been left invisible by their partners. It is an incredible book.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @yuskadd
Image Credits
Yuskadd
