Brushstrokes and Beyond: An Interview with Oni Girl, Cora Quiroz
By Lea Byrnes Art
Cora Quiroz, or Oni Girl, is a Phoenix-based painter, muralist, and fire dancer with a rare blend of talents and an even rarer passion and discipline for her craft. In addition to her enviable skills and work ethic, Cora also shares a deeply inspiring story of self-discovery and liberation through her art – a journey that has been documented through her paintings and continues to evolve.
Photo of Cora Quiroz by KBR | Contagion Media
Self-described as ebullient, determined, and introverted, Cora is the type of person who is easy to admire. Although she has acquired impressive accolades and countless artistic achievements in her young adult life, she has a humble and down-to-earth demeanor that only adds to the appeal of her art. Her artwork is often very large, with vibrant colors and themes that focus on feminism, spirituality, decolonization, and her experience and identity as a multiracial woman.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Cora had an innate desire to become an artist as a young child but was discouraged from pursuing an art career by her elders. Nevertheless, she bravely chose to forge her path and make her dreams come alive. “I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness, so a future as a traditional artist and going to college were not options at that time, but becoming an illustrator for the Watchtower magazine was my dream,” she shared with us. “Later on after I left the Jehovah's Witnesses, I realized how many opportunities to explore artistic expressions were open to me, so I began taking painting and welding classes.” Today, with her Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design and Bachelor’s of Fine Art (Painting and Drawing) from Arizona State University, attending art school is just one of Cora’s many accomplishments that once seemed like a distant dream.
Cora’s artistic journey first began when she became an apprentice and teacher at the Young Artists at Work program through the Toledo Arts Commission. There, she met Toledo-based street artist and muralist Ken Dushane, also known as Phybr, and became his assistant. As a muralist assistant, Cora worked for three years on over twenty murals throughout the Midwest. As she sharpened her artistic skills, she became aware of a brand new world of creative opportunities surrounding her. She tells us, “What helped me get to where I am now is the fact that I was so restricted growing up. Once I left, I still had a sense of viewing the world like a child; and saying I want to be an artist. I had the discipline and applied it to my excitement to start living and not letting fear hold me back.” This sense of childlike optimism and curiosity, contrasted by her maturity and discipline, was a recipe for success for this talented young artist.
Design by Cora Quiroz | Contagion Media
After working as a muralist assistant, Cora decided to move to Arizona, where she sold her artwork at a young age at festivals, shows, and anime/comic conventions. She also received commissions for murals in businesses and shops, private properties, and even public spaces in Kansas City and Roosevelt Row in Phoenix. Cora’s larger-than-life figures and bold, vibrant painting style make her artwork the perfect candidate for any mural. When she moved to Arizona to reconnect with her culture and family, many of her paintings began to reflect the spirit of the desert and the indigenous culture that thrives in the west.
Cora uses her art as a way to deepen her connection to her spirituality, culture, and her Latino/Hopi heritage. Her work also focuses on showcasing the diverse strength of women and the shattering of societal norms. She describes, “I create feminist works as I like to explore the imagery of women following their dreams, particularly within blue-collar jobs and traditionally masculine positions. This is important to me, as I was told to keep my dreams small and limited as a woman from a controlling, evangelical religion.” The women in Cora’s paintings are portrayed with an aura of strength and resilience, particularly when she is paying homage to her ancestral traditions. Her artwork seems to come alive with electric energy, and the paintings contain many small details that all work together to tell a beautiful and engaging story on canvas.
“My favorite medium is oil painting,” Cora tells us, “...but I am currently exploring airbrush, as I am inspired by car culture. Airbrushing is a small step I am taking to purchase and restore a classic car of my own. In the past, I have experimented with welding, beading, and watercolor.” Additionally, Cora also has experience with 3D art, sculpture, and painting on naturally found objects such as seashells, bones, skulls, and driftwood. Cora’s passions extend outside the realm of visual art – she is also a skilled fire dancer and performer at festivals and shows! Cora touches on her various dreams and interests, “Some of my dreams are somewhat outlandish, but I want to have my own classic car collection and motorcycle collection, be adept at tattooing, create large-scale steel sculptures, participate in racing cars of some sort, and become an open-class boxer.”
With the way that Cora has been moving so far, there is no doubt that she can and will achieve her dreams and more. There is a lot that fellow young artists can learn from Cora, and she graciously shared her wisdom with us. “The advice I would give to aspiring artists and creatives is to look at your work as a trade in the way that it is always something you can learn and get better at with practice,” she said. “There will be many days that you don't feel like painting or being creative, but you have to push through. I look at it like a muscle; the more you do it, the less you need to wait for a moment of 'feeling creative'. It's important to practice getting yourself in the right mindset no matter what the day throws at you.”
Photo of Cora Quiroz, Photo by KBR | Contagion Media
When asked about the most difficult parts of her journey, Cora responded, “The biggest challenge in my artistic career is vulnerability. In reality, I am still learning who I am, and I am displaying that through my paintings, which in gallery settings can spark conversations about that. I enjoy it but I find it very stressful.” As an artist, balancing the professional side of things with the sheer joy of creating is often one of the biggest challenges. Though it may be stressful at times, Cora has navigated the world of selling and displaying her artwork with confidence, grace, and success. What she loves most, however, is still the simple act of painting and creating. She describes, “My favorite part about painting is the act itself, the creation part. It can be meditative but also serve as a huge distraction. We all love to daydream and when I paint, I am really just on autopilot, exploring both my past and the possibilities of the future in my head. There are not many jobs or activities that you can do while daydreaming.”
Photo of Cora Quiroz, Photo by KBR | Contagion Media
Being an artist is undoubtedly a privilege and a gift – and one that inspires others to reach for their dreams, too. About the different artists who have inspired her, Cora tells us, “My favorite artist who does airbrush and paints motorcycles is Stephan Gibson. My favorite muralist is Drew Merrit; he uniquely uses spray paint. My favorite painter is Soey Milk. Something that they all have in common is painting with Western traditional conventions with unconventional imagery fused with vibrant colors, culture, and high-contrast lighting.” Artists like these, and Cora herself, have transformed the cultural climate through their art and left a lasting impression on the community, encouraging and inspiring their audiences. Cora shares, “I feel that art can change the world by inspiring people to be creative in their personal lives. Pursuing dreams and creating can improve one's individual life, which in return changes the world by creating more fulfilled lives and developing cultures or keeping traditions alive.”
Through the rich cultural expression weaved into all of her paintings, Cora’s work has undoubtedly helped to keep traditions and culture alive. With so many artistic accomplishments under her belt already, there is no limit to what a creative and talented young soul like Cora will achieve in this lifetime. Be sure to keep your eyes on Oni Girl and her creations as they continue to evolve beautifully alongside her.
Edited by Jan Crystal on June 16th, 2024
