Meet Miriam Portilla

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Miriam Portilla. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Miriam below.

Hi Miriam, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience for me comes from embracing the imperfections and transforming them into tools to improve and grow. 
It’s about trusting in life’s generosity and that I’ll find my way, no matter how many times the path changes, because I’ve learned to rely on my own instincts to guide me through.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a self-taught Mexican artist with experience in muralism, canvas painting, sculpture, and mixed media. I’ve worked with art organizations in Mexico for international events like the Qatar World Cup, as well as with companies in the hotel and restaurant sectors such as Casa Xolo and Grupo Vanko, and with jewelry designer Jonathan Sánchez in various Mexican cities including Los Cabos, San Miguel de Allende, and Mexico City. Inspired by nature and Mexican heritage, I create mixed-media works using organic Mexican materials. Recently, I exhibited in New York City at The Bust Gallery with the “Nahuales” series and Soho, and had a solo show in Miami at the Pen Project Gallery with the “Curanderías” series and in Washington DC as some other grupal exhibits in Landmark Arts Building in Chelsea, NY.

I’m currently pursuing a diploma in “Art Understanding and History, Museum Studies, and Curation” at Harvard University and a diploma in “Art History” at the San Miguel de Allende campus of the Fine Arts Faculty of UNAM.

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?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been curiosity, flexibility, and kindness.
Curiosity has driven me to explore new ideas, ask the right questions, and stay open to learning in every situation, pushed me to continuously learn, see failure as an opportunity, and stay resilient through setbacks.
Flexibility allowed me to adapt to unexpected changes and pivot when necessary without losing focus on my goals.
Kindness helped me build meaningful connections and foster collaboration, creating an environment where people thrive together.
For those starting out, I’d suggest embracing challenges with an open mind, staying adaptable, and always leading with empathy. These qualities will not only enhance your growth but also your impact on others.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

A challenge I’m currently facing is adjusting to life in a new country. I recently moved from Mexico to New York, and while the experience is exciting, it’s been difficult at times. I’m still struggling to come to terms with my father’s absence, as he passed away about a year ago. It’s been hard not having him around, especially now with the distance from my family, whom I can’t see as often as I’d like.

At the same time, there’s so much I’m looking forward to! Being newly married has brought so much joy and a sense of partnership as we explore this new chapter together. Living in New York is an adventure—experiencing the incredible art scene, the vibrant multi culture, and meeting amazing new people. Every day brings new energy, and while there are challenges, I’m really embracing the opportunities and growth that come with this transition.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.miriamportilla.com
• Instagram: @miriamportillae
• Other: miriamportillae@gmail.com