We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abihail Ortega a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Abihail , 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’ve taken on a challenge for myself—drawing something new every day—and it’s turned into much more than just a creative exercise. It’s become a way to reconnect with myself and tap into the little moments of inspiration that pop up in everyday life. Even on the days when I’m not sure what to draw, there’s something freeing about picking up my pencil and letting my hand move. Whether it’s something around me or an idea that simply stands out, each drawing feels like a small discovery.
Sometimes, I turn to my favorite films and pause on a scene that resonates with me, then recreate it. It might seem cliché, but for me, it’s a meaningful practice—taking a moment that spoke to me and making it my own. I also enjoy looking at the work of other artists, not to compare, but to learn. It’s inspiring to see how others express their thoughts and emotions through their art, and it always gets me thinking about how I can bring my own voice into what I create.
At the end of the day, it’s not about making everything perfect. It’s about the process of drawing itself—the small steps, the routine, and the quiet progress that comes from simply making time to create. Even when I don’t feel like it, I know each piece has something personal in it. Drawing has become a way to understand myself better—no pressure, no expectations, just a way to stay connected to what I love doing.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
For a long time, I struggled with putting myself out there as an artist. I doubted whether my art was good enough to share and often found myself comparing my work to others. The “what if” questions kept me from taking action—what if people don’t like it? What if I’m not good enough? I now realize that those thoughts were just holding me back from growing.
Thankfully, I’ve been lucky to have people who believe in me and encourage me to share my art more. These days, I post my work on Instagram and have started focusing more on digital art. I love creating characters and environments, adding details, textures, and vibrant colors. My goal is to make people look at my art for a while, noticing all the little details I put into each piece.
One of the most encouraging experiences for me was when a friend suggested I submit my work to an art show in “The Wicked Wolf” bar at Long Beach. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, and the experience was amazing. It made me realize I needed to stop underestimating myself and start taking more risks. Since then, my art has also been displayed at the “Huntington Beach Art Center” and “The Stache” bar at Long Beach, which has been an incredible opportunity.
Another memorable moment was seeing my work featured in Cal State University Long Beach’s “22 West” magazine in 2022-2023. Seeing my art in print was such a cool feeling, and it made me think that one day, I’d love to work for a publishing company or even pursue a freelance career as an artist.
I’ve also been fortunate to have a supportive community around me. I’ve been hired for two jobs because of my art skills. My first job was at a printing company at CSULB, where I worked on custom illustrations and graphics like stickers, flyers, and designs for canopies. It was a great learning experience, and I’m thankful for the talented team I got to work with and learn from. Shout out to CPAD!
Currently, I work as an afterschool program leader, teaching elementary kids art. I was hired because of my portfolio, and it’s been such a rewarding experience helping the kids explore their own creativity. I also design posters for events and even got to create a staff t-shirt for a Valentine’s dance. It’s been a lot of fun doing art in a work setting.
I’m also volunteering to help animation students at CSULB with their student films, focusing on environments and backgrounds. It’s been really rewarding to support their creative process and see their work come to life.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the opportunities I have this year to continue growing as an artist. One of my goals is to create a business selling stickers, prints, keychains, and other products featuring my art. I’ve done some research on how to get started, and now I’m ready to take the leap and invest in becoming an entrepreneur. I still dream of illustrating for children’s books or magazines someday.
While I still have moments of self-doubt and low-confidence, I’ve learned to push past them. With the support of my friends and family and the opportunities I’ve had, I feel more confident about reaching my goals. The key is to keep taking risks, stop making excuses, and believe in myself as much as others believe in me.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most important qualities to embrace are passion, consistency, and risk-taking.
Passion is what fuels your drive. When you’re passionate about what you do, it gives you purpose and meaning. Without it, you might find yourself questioning, “What’s the point?” But when you’re passionate, you’ll feel energized, and creating will feel like a fulfilling journey you never want to stop. Find what you love to do!
Consistency is the key to growth. It’s not always easy, but once you make creating a habit, it becomes second nature. The more you stick with it, the more you’ll see your skills sharpen, and the clearer your progress will become. Even on days when motivation is low, just show up and create, even if it’s something small. Perfection isn’t the goal—enjoying the process and building a consistent habit is what matters most. Make something ugly, who cares!
Risk-taking is what pushes you to grow beyond what you know. Staying in your comfort zone may feel safe, but it’s in the unknown where true growth happens. If something scares you, that’s a sign it’s worth doing. Taking risks helps you overcome the fear of failure, because you’ll realize that failure isn’t something to fear—it’s an opportunity to learn. Don’t let hesitation keep you stuck in the same place. Take that leap, try something new, and watch how it transforms you. Stop the “what if’s”.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I truly can’t complain—I’ve had amazing opportunities over the past couple of months, my friends and family continue to cheer me on, and I’ve been following my own advice by pushing myself to create and step out of my comfort zone.
But, as I’ve shared before, that voice of low confidence and self-doubt still lingers. It’s tough to shake because it’s been with me since I was a kid. It’s a familiar, almost comforting voice that never really goes away. The challenge I face is the fear that all my hard work won’t amount to anything. I worry that clients will find better artists than me, that I’ll never reach my dreams, and that I’ll somehow let my friends and family down who have always supported me. These thoughts play over and over in my head, and I often find myself comparing where I am to others—feeling like they’re so much further ahead.
This year, I made it a resolution to be kinder to myself. I know that the way I speak to myself shapes my reality, and I want to use my words to build myself up, not tear myself down. I want to be more confident and grateful for the progress I’ve made, even if it feels small sometimes. I’ve realized I need to stop comparing myself to others—everyone grows at their own pace, and I just need to trust mine. The more I practice self-compassion, the closer I get to silencing those negative voices.
The people who love me see something in me that I sometimes struggle to see myself. But I want to change that. I need to believe in myself the way they believe in me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ratxcage/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abihail-ortega-4a66851b9
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ratxcage?si=xYhfMNp640nt5ZHZ
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