Canvas to community: A Chicana artist's imprint

Irma Ceja is a Chicana artist and muralist. She paints anime characters on tote bags, clothing, and shoes, which she sells online, at pop-ups, special events and galleries. Her artwork often depicts females, such as the Virgin Mary and other feminine influences. She is currently working on a large scale, colorful mosaic mural commissioned by the Urbanist Collective, representing the rich agricultural community of Delano.

"I love that my art can be used to help beautify a community and unite other artists to work towards social change," Ceja said in an interview last week. "That is something I want to be a part of."

She describes her artistic style as bold, colorful, imaginative and very bright. "It leaves a different impression on each audience – some may find it sad, while others see it as almost unrealistic or somewhat surreal."

Irma said that she has always loved to paint and that her artwork reflects her culture and childhood. "Everything I've loved-my childhood memories, favorite colors, and sources of inspiration-comes through in my work. The colors I choose and how I bring my imagination to life are all part of my creative process. What I love most about being an artist is bringing my imagination into existence and sharing it with others. My work is also a way of holding onto the joy and wonder of childhood. In essence, I've never let go of my inner child. My art is a nostalgic experience, blending who I was as a child with who I am today."

As for becoming an artist, she initially wanted to be an animator. "Cartoons and anime were a big part of my childhood. I spent weekends watching them at my grandparents', and I dreamed of working for Disney or Pixar one day. That dream really sparked my passion for art."

She is a self-taught artist and believes she inherited that gift from her father. "My father, especially, was a hands-on learner who would figure things out by doing them over and over until he mastered them – that's how he was able to start his own business. That mentality definitely influenced me."

A daughter of immigrants, she saw the sacrifices her parents made chasing the American dream, hoping for a better life. "They worked in the fields and held multiple jobs, always striving to improve things for our family. Even though my dad owned his own business, we went through a lot of struggles as immigrants because there weren't many opportunities. Watching them work so hard, no matter how tedious the jobs, really shaped my drive and hustle to pursue a better future."

It's that drive that has sparked a profound force within her to create. She finds joy in the process. "Everything I've learned and taught myself is reflected in my paintings. Just like my dad, I'm a visual learner. To this day, I'm still figuring things out, constantly learning something new as an artist over time."

Her aspiration is to continue honing her craft to inspire the next generation of artists and create more opportunities for them in smaller communities. "I want to see my community grow through the beautification process, with art playing a central role. My ultimate goal is to open doors for aspiring artists, allowing creativity to flow freely and encouraging them to explore their full potential."

To learn more, follow her on Facebook @ I.C Illustrations and Instagram #artbyic. For questions or inquiries, email: [email protected].