Meet Amor ‘Amorcito” Roldan | A Digital Artist, Educator & Everything in Between

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amor ‘Amorcito” Roldan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amor ‘Amorcito”, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA—more specifically, on the Northside. I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone looked out for each other and stepped in to help when needed. I was always surrounded by a mix of vibrant cultures and learned so much just from being part of my community.

The Northside is a low-income area but my family always found a way to make things work. Growing up in that environment really shaped how I see the world and how I handle life’s challenges.

I live by the motto “rooted in love and community,” because that’s what I come from—nothing but love and support from my family and neighbors. That foundation means everything to me, and it’s why I always lead with love and make sure I’m creating spaces where people feel seen, included, and cared for.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art takes on many different forms and mediums. Whether I’m illustrating on my iPad, creating a digital collage, or making a handmade zine, I’m always creating—nonstop. When you look at my work, you can feel the love and time I pour into each piece and see just how much it means to me.

One of the things I’m most proud of is simply starting my art journey again. For a long time, I stopped creating because I was afraid of failing. But now, I’m doing it part-time—and hopefully full-time soon—and I truly love every second of it.

I’m a full-time educator and artist, and juggling two high-demand fields definitely comes with its share of stress and challenges. The way I manage it is by leaning on my community and allowing people to help me. I can be pretty stubborn, and that often makes me feel like I have to do everything on my own. But after learning the hard way, I’ve realized that’s not always sustainable. I need my community and my support systems to show up—and they do. Sometimes, it really does take a village, and that’s more than okay.

If there’s one thing I’d love the world to know, it’s my name—and the fact that I’m doing my best to build community rooted in love. I create from a place of care and intention, always bringing my own perspective, and I hope to keep growing and sharing that with others.

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?
I’d start the day by going to Meema’s in Bixby Knolls—they have the world’s best orange juice, pancakes, and mimosas. Then we’d grab coffee at Salas and, of course, get a Salita (iced, of course). After that, we’d head over to And Then LB & Goods on Orange for some thrifting and shopping! To end the day, we’d stop by Sideburns for a burger and then head to Alex’s Bar for a drink or two!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really wouldn’t be here without all the support from my best friend, Will Thomas. He has always inspired me to be creative and take the next step forward. Also, shoutout to the places that helped me get started—like KUBO LB, PLACE, Casitas Books, and The Collective in Fullerton. Like many others, my family and my fiancé are always my biggest supporters, so shoutout to them and everything they do for me!

Instagram: https://amorcitos.atcito

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