1. WHAT DO YOU WRITE? (YOUR ALIAS) …AND WHY?
Izinfinite is what I write. I want my art to outlive me and continue to be a source of inspiration for future generations.
2. WHAT CREWS DO YOU REP (IF ANY)?
The only crew that I rep is me, myself, and I.
3. HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN WRITING/TAGGING/PAINTING/DOING ART?
I’ve been creating art all my life ever since I could hold a pencil I remember drawing rainbows, and mystical creatures inspired by nature, and to this day I’m still drawing rainbows. I’ve always loved painting. I’ve been painting on and off throughout the years but I haven’t taken it as seriously and done it consistently as in the past three years.
4. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP, AND HOW DID GRAFFITI BECOME A PART OF YOUR LIFE?
Graffiti has always been something that has been around me. I was born in Lima, Peru surrounded by vibrant colors-from Magdalena’s quiet neighborhoods filled with traditional architecture to handcrafted indigenous works to street art.
I moved to Salt Lake City at 6 years old. SLC is very strict and conservative with their public art policy, everywhere you look it’s dull neutral colors. The street art exposure completely diminished for me.
I was 9 and it was my first time in LA. My aunt had invited my mom and me to Disneyland. Being in LA was the first time I felt at home again. I always loved the grit, the art-covered walls, and the palm trees on the horizon. We would stay for a few weeks throughout the summer and visit at least 2-3 times a year. Every time I would come home from LA I would come back refreshed and so inspired, at 14 I made it my goal to make LA my home.
I lived most of my life in the suburbs of SLC, in cookie-cutter homes that all looked the same, major Stepford Wives vibes. When I was 14 I didn’t know any crews, and none of my friends were artists. I was the only one wanting to go out and paint. In my first experience with cans, I went and borrowed some red and blue rustos from Walmart. I didn’t touch a can again until I was 24 live painting my first mural at a festival in Utah.
5. WHO/WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION?
I have many amazing, powerful people in my life that have supported me.
Starting with my mom and my grandma. From the beginning, I saw how strong and independent they were, which only inspired me to be the same. Both my parents always fed my artistic talents with investments in art classes and encouragement, that I am forever grateful for. Jen Stark was the first woman I saw painting murals with a style that caught my eye. I love Buff Monster‘s characters and Shepard Fairey‘s influential messages. The thing with all the artists that inspire me is none of them look like me. Which became a big motivator by doing what I do, I am representing and showing the young female artists that look like me that they can do anything they set their mind to and that it is possible to thrive as an indigenous woman in this industry.
6. HOW HAS BEING IN GRAFFITI CULTURE CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
For me, it’s more than graffiti culture. It’s Latin culture; it’s LA culture, indigenous culture, and street culture. I look back at my drawings and see how all of that has influenced me from a young age, I have pages of my name in different styles of graff. I have drawings from when I was 12 of pit bulls sitting in the middle of the streets in front of low riders and helicopters, and still, it’s so much more than that. The culture has shaped me into the artist I am today. Even though I shifted my focus, I’ve always been drawn to that vibe. It was an escape from the monotony of living in Utah.
7. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEDIUM TO PAINT ON? THE STREETS, IN THE STUDIO, ETC.
My favorite medium has definitely gotta be acrylic paint and spray paint. I’ve really fallen in love with spray paint these past few years. I love painting by the beach or in my backyard on a sunny day, feeling the sunshine hit my face while listening to Kali Uchis and vibing out alone.
8. WHERE WOULD YOU BE IN LIFE RIGHT NOW IF YOU NEVER PICKED UP A PAINTBRUSH/MARKER/SPRAY CAN?
Maybe in the medical industry, I love animals. The only other profession I ever considered is being a veterinarian. I didn’t become a veterinarian because I hate school (but I love learning). Going to school for another 8 years after finishing 12 years of school didn’t sound fun to me. I still want to work with animals in the future, on my own terms like having an animal sanctuary and learning through first-hand experience how to care for certain animals.
9. ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY?
Take action! Do something you’re scared of every day; the boring stuff is necessary. Everything that you are doing now is shaping your future. You are the driving force behind your own success.