Meet Bash Ortega

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bash Ortega. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Bash with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

For art, my work ethic is ingrained in me. I feel compelled to create because it is the thing that makes me feel like myself and also makes me feel good. My art is very much a part of me. I have a variety of creative disciplines including drawing, printmaking, crafting, and both fiction and nonfiction writing. I have ADHD, so my attention to a specific task comes in waves, but I am generally always interested in working on something.

I also have creative activities that feel more relaxing and rely more on muscle memory once I get the project started. I make a lot of kandi (the pony bead rave jewelry) while watching movies or listening to audiobooks as a way to unwind while still getting a little bit of creative stimulation.

Finally, it’s important to know when to rest. This is something I’m still struggling with, and I have a habit of accepting any opportunity that comes my way. However, I’ve learned the hard way that if you don’t rest, your body will make you rest. I’m still learning to listen to my body and take a break from everything when I feel like it. There are definitely still times that I need to push myself to make deadlines, especially because I still work a day job, but I try to set realistic expectations for myself.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My creative career is very diverse. I have always been a visual artist, and have never let the constraints of mediums stop me from a project. I am very willing to learn something new to bring a project into the world. As a teenager, I was very interested in graffiti, which influenced my style to include a language of symbols and motifs. It also encouraged me to take a very DIY approach to my art. Currently, I am engaged in a series of monochromatic pointillism illustrations of animal bones inspired both by my love of biology and the concept of memento mori. A selection of these drawings will be on display at Smush Gallery’s show, Études: The Artist in Practice, from Nov 1 – Dec 15.
As for my writing, I have been involved in journalism since college. With my gender studies degree, I was able to become a staff writer for Horror Press, and that kicked off my writing career in earnest. I am a huge horror fanatic, so it is certainly the subject of a lot of my nonfiction writing. I also conduct interviews with industry professionals, which is my favorite part of my journalistic work. More recently, I have been writing art reviews at Artefuse! Finally, I have begun dabbling in fiction horror writing. You can view my first published fiction piece in Messy Misfits Club’s zine, volume 6: Filth.
The best way to keep up with me is to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, which you can find on my website: https://bashortega.wordpress.com/

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?

Being a successful creative is as much a game of luck and meeting people as it is of technical skill. I think the 3 traits that have helped me the most are openness, kindness, and enthusiasm.

Openness has been important because it has allowed me to meet people who are different from me and expand my worldview, and also get to appreciate the different kinds of art that people make. No one wants to feel judged for what they do or like. I’m not saying befriend anyone who compromises your morals, but if your new friend is into niche, violent French Horror movies, maybe hear them out because you might just end up making a touching documentary together.

I don’t think I really need to explain to you why kindness is important, but I’ll try anyways. People want you in their lives if you make them feel good, and making other people feel good is good for you too. I’m only where I am because of the love, support, and kindness of my friends and peers. You get what you put out into the world, and I want to help make my community one that is built of kindness and mutual care.

Finally, enthusiasm. Everything I make creatively is something I genuinely enjoy, and that comes across in the way I talk to people. Sure, some of the things I like may be dorky, or uncool, but at this point in my life, I truly could not care less. It’s hard enough being a trans person, I’m really could not give a shit if you think I’m a nerd for reading horror comics. I like what I like, and that also attracts other people with shared interests. Enthusiasm and openness go hand in hand, because surrounding yourself with other enthusiastic people to share ideas with helps you challenge yourself intellectually.

My advice is really cliche, but be yourself. It takes a long time to build up your self-esteem and self-concept such that you are not always chasing other people’s approval, but it is worth it for your own happiness. Also, when you are yourself, you will make connections with people who like you for you and are open to building community with you. You will also pursue projects for the benefit of yourself rather than or who you think you should be.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

My number one challenge is one that affects us all: capitalism. I am still working a day job, and that takes away from the time I’m able to work on my creative projects. The amount of success and acclaim I’ve received is not proportional to the money I’m making off my art, and I’m not able to do art full-time, as is my goal. One way that I cope with capitalism when life feels impossible is to participate in mutual aid. Mutual aid is a way of showing solidarity with your community while also receiving help yourself. I, for example, volunteer with Food Not Bombs, an organization that redistributes food that would otherwise be thrown away. I get to help my neighbors by helping to organize boxes of necessary groceries, and I also benefit from the community care because I get to take home groceries, myself. It is also uplifting to see your community come together to help each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bashortega.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ratking.all.hail/
• Twitter: https://x.com/RatKing_AllHail