Course Reflection

Taking this class was an eye-opening experience, and I am really grateful for the opportunity to learn about Chicana artists. At the beginning of the quarter, I really only knew Frida Khalo, Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, and José Orozco. I knew very little about Chicanas and their art, so to get to push aside the grip patriarchy has on Chicanx history, experiences and art community to solely focus on women and their voices was captivating. The highlights of this class for me were the discussions about Chicana iconography, specifically the Virgin Mary, learning about the Chicana artists my peers selected, and using watercolor in my sketchbook. The discussion and reoccurring themes around the Virgin Mary were incredible. At first, I thought it might offend my more religious side because, as the professor mentioned, Catholicism is more of a cultural thing, but I also identify as religiously catholic. I actually thought the revisioning, adapted images and narratives of the Virgen were inventive by adding legs and heels, boxing gloves, or simply taking her out of the iconic outfit as if out and about in everyday life were really awesome takes on womanhood, resiliency and Chicana power. I think it was brilliant that they reimaged her role and appearance regardless of backlash because it let Chicana artist share their narrative. I enjoyed being introduced to artists Camille Rose Garcia, Lady Pink, Laura Aguilar, Thalia Gochez, Ester Hernandez, Sonia Romero, and Tamara Santaibañez, to name a few. I also liked that our sketchbook project had us use watercolor because I usually stick to black ink or led and paper. It got me drawing out of my comfort zone. I liked that the professor gave a kind of crash course on using them, it gave me a chance to experiment with a medium I never thought I'd use because I always liked the classic look to a black and white image. I naturally stick to black and greys, but now that I have watercolors and how to use them, I definitely want to start incorporating more color into my drawings.

2020 Montoya, Aonya

Hi everyone, I'm Aonya Montoya my first name sounds like "on ya" or if y'all have seen it in its more common spelling, Anya. Fun fact, my mom named me after the Fox animated movie Anastasia and got the spelling from one of her best friends at the time who named her daughter the same. My preferred pronouns are she/her/hers. I'm a fourth-year Sociology major with a minor in Film and Television, and currently looking into double minoring in Chicana/o Studies.
A little bit about myself, I was born and raised in Highland Park, California, and I love to draw and play music. I grew up learning to play guitar and bass with some practice with trumpet. Music is my favorite pass time, you'll find me listening to new music recommendations on my downtime if y'all have any let me know! My goal is to become a veterinarian, but after my last year here, I'd like to take a year off of school and try my hand at service animal work one to be able to support myself through vet school. And two, I've always wanted to advocate for animals and their care because it seems that because they are voiceless they are an afterthought to social progress and neglect/abuse. But also in my studies of sociology I've wanted to combine my love for animals and working with people. That being said I want to work with either the veteran population because had many of my cousins join the force or mental health/survivors of abuse population which is also close to home.

I'm interested in this course because I don't know too many Chicana/o artists besides Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and I want to know more.