Donovan's world

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
One of the projects I have been working on lately is Donovan's world which is a project on my brother that has autism. During this project, I have explored how my brother interacted with others and how his mind works while understanding the perspective of the world. In addition, I've been working on a project about mothers and womanhood while understanding and giving gratitude to my mother, other women and girls in my family. These projects are heavily important to discuss to others so that they are exposed to the importance of empathy, understanding diverse perspectives, and the powerful stories of my family. I feel as if these also connect with me on a personal level because they allow me to reflect on my own relationships and how I see the world with the way in which I interact with people who have shaped my life. Furthermore, these lessons are a part of my identity and they hold a sense of responsibility for helping others understand perspectives that are different from their own. As a result, they remind me to cherish the everyday connections that make up my life.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
Throughout my creative process, I have learned to communicate with a community in a more open and vulnerable way. These projects taught me that it's okay to not have everything figured out from the start. Making mistakes, trying new approaches and experimenting is all a part of growing and learning. With Donovan's world, I began to understand how important it is to listen and observe without judgement by being present in his world. I had to unlearn the idea that communication always looks the same for everyone. My brother's way of seeing and engaging with the world helped me realize that there are many valid ways of expressing oneself.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
When I think about my creative process and how my mind shapes artwork, I always return to the endless possibilities within moments, time, color, theme, and reflection. These are the guiding forces of my creativity; it is the foundation that frames everything I do. Though beneath the surface, there are words that keep emerging: acceptance, gratitude, family, connection, reflection, women, community, and learn.These words don’t just exist as abstract ideas they carry deep meaning. Acceptance and gratitude shape how I see the world and the people that surround me. Family is the pulse of my work, the core of my identity, grounding me in love and shared history. Connection reflects the ways in which I interact with others, both within my immediate circle and the broader world. Reflection is key, it's how I process and understand my own journey, whether through a lens or a brushstroke. Women represent strength, wisdom, and resilience, and a force that has shaped not only my creative voice but the core values I carry. Thus, The concept of community holds deep weight, reminding me that my story isn’t isolated, but part of something much bigger than myself.

Were there any conversations, films, songs, or books that made their way into that work?
The most influential voices in my creative journey come from Mary Ellen Mark's photobooks, Sara Messinger, Lynsey Addario, Diana Cuautle, and Graciela Iturbide and many more. These female photographers and storytellers have shaped my work in profound ways. Their images, narratives, and perspectives inspire me to capture not just the moments I see, but the emotions and untold stories behind them.They’ve encouraged me to dive deeper into the human experience whether it's through the lens of family, identity, or connection. Their work challenges me to push boundaries and view the world from angles I hadn’t considered before. I believe that having references in the creative world is essential. Those you admire and look up to help generate ideas you’d never thought of, sometimes sparking life lessons you hadn't even realized you needed.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
The most difficult challenges I’ve faced in my creative journey include dealing with direct lessons, confronting real-life situations, and the pressure of almost being an adult and being an upraising female photographer . These challenges are crucial because they force me to be honest in my work and face the parts of myself and my life that I sometimes avoid. There’s also the fear of the blank page, that moment of staring at an empty space, unsure of where to begin. It's intimidating. Messing up is another big hurdle. Sometimes mistakes feel like failures, especially when they happen in front of others. But these moments are important to me. They teach me that the creative process isn’t always linear, and that the fear of imperfection is part of the learning.Dealing with these struggles is important because it forces me to push through discomfort, to stay vulnerable, and to embrace mistakes as part of my growth. It’s through these bumps in the road that I truly learn what my art, my voice, and my story are meant to be.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
In my own world, I live through my mom’s cooking. The “restaurant” I recommend is in “mi casa”, where she’s the chef, and every meal is a masterpiece. As soon as you step through the door, the air is filled with the scent of freshly ground chiles and homemade tortillas, a welcoming aroma that instantly feels like home. My mom’s cooking reflects the rich traditions of Alcozauca de Guerrero, where the food is deeply rooted in the land, the history, and the people.If I had to recommend a dish, it would be tacos de cecina thinly sliced, marinated beef grilled to perfection and served with salsa verde and pickled onions UGH TO DIE FOR. Or maybe mole rojo over pollo the deep, rich flavors of the sauce, made with chocolate, chiles, and spices, are an explosion of taste with every bite. For a side, definitely arroz con fluffy rice with just the right hint of cilantro, the perfect balance to the rich, savory dishes. The food itself isn’t just nourishment; it’s a blessing from her heart, woven with the love and care she puts into every dish. It’s more than just traditional food, it' a connection to my culture, to my roots, and to the environment I grew up in. Each bite reminds me of family, warmth, and belonging, and that’s what makes it so special.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
My life lives under a foundation of my cultural background where my culture heavily plays a part in my identity and the title would be "Mi Corazón Bordado" (My Embroidered Heart). This title holds deep significance for me because it symbolizes the intricate threads of my cultural heritage, identity, and values that make up who I am. Just like embroidery, my life is stitched together with memories, experiences, and stories that define me both as a person and as a photographer. My culture is the fabric, and everything I do is woven into it with care, meaning, and history.It would be a soundtrack that mirrors the highs, lows, and growth that comes with living in a world of complexity and connection. This soundtrack would capture the coming-of-age moments, the vulnerability, and the strength that come from embracing both the tangible parts of who I am, the oranges, representing the inner layers and pieces of myself and the intangible, the things that are stitched into me but can’t always be touched. It would be a life story told in both moments of reflection and emotional release, much like the act of collecting pieces of yourself in a bowl of oranges each part of me significant, connected, and vital to the whole.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Some artists that inspire me are Frank Ocean and Mary Ellen Mark. They create such lyrical verses and powerful visuals that connect with the deeper parts of my life, those spaces of vulnerability, complexity, and the beauty found in everyday moments. Frank Ocean’s music speaks to the fluidity of identity, love, and self-discovery, which mirrors my own journey of navigating my roots and the personal stories I want to tell. His ability to weave emotion into every note feels like a soundtrack to the raw, unfiltered parts of my life i absolutely LOVE his music and his unreleased songs!.Similarly, Mary Ellen Mark's photography has a profound impact on how I view the world. She captured the intimacy of human life in a way that transcended the surface. Her images, much like Frank Ocean's lyrics, reveal the deep, often untold stories of people. Her work has taught me the power of empathy and honesty in photography. It reminds me to not just show what is seen, but what is felt.Both of these artists fuel my creative drive and act as my motivational engine, pushing me to create work that feels authentic and true to my experiences. Like them, I strive to capture raw emotion, vulnerability, and human connection in my own photography and storytelling, with the belief that these elements are what truly make art resonate.