Meet Stephanie Ordaz | Mixed Media Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Ordaz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am: Stephanie Ordaz from Beverly Hills, CA. My upbringing was able to give me the opportunity to have an open mind; there was opportunity to be subjected to many different cultures. I was able to absorb like a sponge and learn so many different things. )
(Practices, From celebrating Shabbat every Friday with my friends families and learning about so many different cultures. Not to mention I was fortunate enough to be subjected to music and art living in “LA.”
There was nothing but support in every endeavor I encountered. From playing soccer, swimming, playing the cello and finishing off strong in High School with Waterpolo.
I was able to grow some thick skin with how tough Public school was in Beverly Hills.
So today, I can say I’m strong, I’m determined, and I accept chaos as a challenge.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
If anything sets me apart, it’s the fact I am my true self. It seems to work well. (Sometimes)

The one thing I’m most proud of is the first photography contest I won. It was for Art for Art for Amnesty/Tumblr/ MTV.. I’d gone around Downtown LA. and got all the inspiration. I wrote a winning quote that was “Be free, Be you, fly.”

I’ve spent a lot of time inpatient in hospitals. when you’re in a hospital for prolonged periods of time… all you have is time.
I utilized that time to write poetry while being hospitalized.

I’f there’s one thing about my story I’d like people to know is that: It doesn’t matter where I came from. I learn from the creative groups I’m lucky enough to be apart of. It’s also mind over matter. Being chronically Ill I learned a lot about patience, and the quality of life. No diagnosis should ever define you, nor stop you from living your best life.

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?
HANDS DOWN: Platt River to enjoy the beautiful skyline, Red Rocks for a concert or a hike, and Mt. St. Mary’s Glacier!

I love the outdoors and that’s the precise reason I left California.
I need ELEMENT.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In all honesty, there isn’t just one person I can give credit to. If I went with my biased option I’d probably say my uncle Tito.( Alfredo Alvarez) He believed in me since day one, and taught me every single thing he knew. His knowledge of architecture (being an art) to soccer, to finances. (Which we’re not taught in high school, for whatever reason.) With that being said, I owe every person I’ve ever met credit. They’ve given me inspiration and I’ve taken something away from every connection I’ve made.

Spending time with the different “cliques” has given me many different perspectives.

Musicians, Painters, Nurses, Doctors to bums in Venice.

I’m definitely going to have to shout out UCLA and Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
There isn’t a way I couldn’t have more gratitude for meeting the great nurses and doctors that showed they cared.

I’m also going to have to thank one of my biggest inspirations: Shepard Fairey. I wouldn’t have started to submit my art to contests nor would I have tried art shows without his optimism.

Instagram: Ordaz.sma

Other: @ordaz.sma -personal instagram @auxipitalcortex – mixed media instagram