Ana Priscila Rodriguez, Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory member provides some fascinating insights into her practice and experience as digital artist, as she responds to the questions below:
- What do you think your art says about you as an individual?
- What do you to help move beyond ‘Artist’s Block’?
- What materials or tools can you not live without, and why?
- What inspires your creative practice and why?
What do you think your art says about you as an individual?
My intention has never been to make my art about me, but rather about the person experiencing the work. Yet, inevitably, parts of who I am seep through. My art reveals something of my inner world—particularly the darker sides, but also my capacity to reflect and transform difficult life stories into visual narratives. My work speaks of someone who has endured pain, challenges, and darkness, but who has also held on to resilience and hope. Even in the heaviest images, there is always a subtle hint of light. That’s the balance I strive for, and the experience I want to offer viewers. because that’s how I want my art to be felt: as a balance between hardship and healing.
What do you do to help move beyond ‘Artist’s Block’?
I stay rooted in my inner voice, and I remain loyal to the stories that feel true to me. My creative drive is deeply connected to personal experience. I consciously avoid clichés—because no one sees a situation exactly the same way. Repeating what’s already been said, in the same way, leads to stagnation. Instead, I aim to tell stories without relying on the obvious. My approach is simple and direct, but never literal. It’s a delicate balance—walking the line between conceptual photography and illustration—but I’ve found that subtlety is key. And while other artists inspire me, I try not to be too influenced by what they’re doing. Staying focused on my own ideas, without constantly looking outward; helps keep my work authentic and original.
What materials or tools can you not live without and why?
My go-to tools include my trusty Canon SX500, a 10” iPad (2018) with Apple Pencil, Procreate, Photoshop, watercolour paints, and a thin red pen. My camera isn’t the latest model, but it’s never let me down—it allows me to experiment endlessly. Procreate and Photoshop are essential for editing; they’re incredibly powerful and I’m constantly learning new techniques through them. Watercolours give my images texture and warmth, allowing me to merge digital and traditional techniques into what I call “mixed media photography.” And then there’s the red pen. That tiny detail has become my visual signature. I always apply it by hand—it’s my way of leaving a personal mark on every piece.
What inspires your creative practice, and why?
Inspiration comes from the stories life offers—my own or those of others, as long as they resonate with something I’ve lived or felt. Difficult experiences, once processed, often become powerful sources of creative energy. I’m also drawn to the past—the romanticism of history is a constant presence in my work. History, with all its drama, is a constant well of inspiration and the past is a rich, generous storyteller, and it never stops feeding my imagination. Atmosphere plays a huge role too: I’m inspired by darkness, the melancholy of autumn, cold weather, and anything old or timeworn. These are the moods that fuel my creative process.
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