JAZZ TORRES

​I am glad I walked the Proper Printshop a month ago otherwise I would have not meat local artist Jazz Torrez! I love her illustrations. A lot of the people who went to the Selena event last week will have recognized her art. She sold plenty shirts with an illustration of "Quuuueeeen" Selena on it. She describes herself quiet and shy, but she is full of talent. Artists that have inspired her throughout the years include: Egon Schiele, Raymond Petition, Michael Beitz and local artists like: Kt Neely, Anne Quiñones, and Chris Trian. The following conversation took place in a hip coffee shop , Eloise. 


Jazz has interesting illustrations! Some serious, some fun, and some Selena! 
 
 
How long have you been doing art? What made you get into it and eventually publish?
“I’ve been drawing and making art since I was 5 years old. I am an only child and my parents would leave me to draw and as time progressed I was put in lessons and I learned more. I fell in love with it and I decided to got to college and major in art. I got my bachelor’s in art and art became my everything. I express myself and communicate through art. After I graduated I focused on developing my style of art.”
 
I see that you have a unique style. Why did you decide to go with illustration?
 “I started out as an oil and acrylic painter. It definitely takes longer. I fell in love with illustration and saw that it is something I can do anywhere. I also enjoy drawing humorous things. That is something that I stuck with, which is why I love illustration.”
 
Knowing that you also teach Kindergarden, have you ever gotten frustrated with art or have even thought, “This will never happen?” What inspires you to keep going?
“ In college, I had a great experience with art and the message behind it like what you are trying to convey. Going there, you learn to be a fine artist and find a meaning in everything you do. I don’t draw like that; I draw what makes me happy. When I came back to El Paso, I started teaching art to kindergardeners found it to be therapeutic. I found that I didn’t just want to be an artist, but also an educator. I incorporate art into lessons. I try to be creative. It transfers over to my professional life.”
 
Is there a favorite illustration that you have done?
“The sticker I gave you. It’s called: I don’t see me that way. It is a hand projecting a wolf. I like the message behind it “
 
Favorite museums?
“The Getty museum is one. It is beautiful. The Dallas Museum of Art is amazing as well. There are also two museums in Roswell I love. One is very contemporary.”
 
Coming back and living in El Paso has been great. Coming back made my art better and gave my art heart and soul. I appreciate my city more. 
 
 
 Her instagram: jazztorrez