Alondra Enriquez is a junior at Chico State and a diverse artist. She finds that there are two sides to understanding and relating to art and when creating her pieces, she tries to appeal to the vast majority of each group. Enriquez considers herself diverse because she doesn’t stick to one theme or cause. She is influenced by her surroundings and whatever ideas are being expressed around her. A quote that has influenced her as an artist is “Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow,” by Vincent Van Gogh

Q: How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I would describe myself as a diverse artist. If you take a look at my work, you will see different media and themes. I am always learning and trying to create art in new forms. As an Art Education major, I have learned multiple techniques to work with a variety of materials. I have also come to realize that there are different “habits of mind.” In order to nurture students that are both critical and creative thinkers, it is important to teach them to identify what the difference between those two modalities are.

Q: When did you start doing art?

I started doing art my junior year of high school. I mainly drew and painted until I reached my first year at Chico State. I started selling my art this year because I keep getting contacted for purchases of my pieces.

Q: Who inspires you?

The music industry inspires me for the most part. There is always an artist out there, such as J. Cole, who sparks new ideas into my pieces. Also, when I feel the need to bring social awareness to the table I do it. Especially when I feel like verbally expressing it is not enough.

Q: What is your ideal career?

My ideal career is to be a high school art teacher and a dance coach. I am currently an athletic director for my sorority, Upsilon Kappa Delta Multicultural Sorority Inc.

Q: When did you get your art in the Turner and Bell Memorial Union? How did you sell them?

I got my art in the Janet Turner Museum because my professor talked to me about it. Eileen loved a screen print I created so I decided to apply for the exhibit. I ended up being selected to be in the 22nd Juried Student Print Museum and was given the Janet Turner Memorial award. They have bought my screenprint for $300. For the BMU, I joined the art education exhibit. I will not be selling those pieces there.

Q: What advice would you give someone who is just starting?

Don’t be afraid to explore.

Hannah Yeager can be reached at [email protected] or @theorion_arts on Twitter.