We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia Velásquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Sometimes my mind plays little tricks on me and I end up believing my inner saboteur. I know that I should keep making work because I’m curious about what I’ll make next. Often I have inspiration or an image I really like and transfer it to something tangible to see if it hits. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes it may need more time to stay with me. So, then, my creative process becomes a fun journey where I’m kept entertained by my curiosity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a creative-maker, I am influenced by my family’s identity politics and its expression through story telling. I believe storytelling creates strong bonds between kin where it is taught by example. I archive stories in writing, sketching, and molding copies of mini sculptures. My work aims to archive joy and dysfunction associated with keepsakes shaped by memories of war, immigration, and comfort.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Getting to know LA via food is one way I enjoy sharing my home with friends. I grew up in Glendale where Porto’s Bakery has fed my entire family and friends for decades. Monday: Hit up Philz Coffee in Glendale; order a mint mojito and avo toast (even though I can make it home); walk through the Americana and maybe talk shit about capitalism as we shop at Sugarfina. The irony leads us to lunch at Din Tai Fung. I suggested it for dinner, but we realized that dinner time should be nap time so that we can go to West Hollywood to bar hop until late.
Tuesday: we may repeat the morning at Philz. Buy tickets at Universal Studios and eat dinner at Bubba Gumps in City Walk.
Wednesday: We drive up PCH and eat seafood by the beach. Visit Santa Monica and walk through the Promenade
Thursday: We visit old Hollywood and visit the touristy spots on Hollywood Blvd. Eat sushi or ramen.
Friday: Visit DTLA for breakfast and hit up taco spots in South Central. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to @pacoimatechno (IG), @cripfemmecrafts, @fatchicanfeminist, & @fatfuturescollective for their consistent support and commitment to radical imagining. Special shoutout to my fierce QTPOC community & friends who’ve shown unwavering support during low and high tides.

Website: www.cynthiakvelasquez.com

Instagram: @cyyynthiavelasqqquez

Image Credits
All images were taken by artist Cynthia Velásquez. All artwork was made by Cynthia Velásquez.

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