Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Quintanilla.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amanda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am from the East Side, Denver Harbor. and spent my teens in the Southeast. I began painting clothes and shoes in 2012 and would sell custom pieces to friends and some by word of mouth. I ended up relocating to NYC in 2015 and started chasing this dream of being a living, breathing artist. I never lost my love for H-Town, my pride actually doubled and I wanted to bring something back home to Houston eventually. In 2018 I threw my first art show and pop up at the Living Gallery in Brooklyn, NY and had Houston’s DJ Vic G spinning at my show. A decent amount of people from Houston and NYC in the same room felt amazing. Immediately after that show, I began planning my show for Houston. I threw my second art show and pop up in Houston in 2019 at Ronin Art House and it’s a feeling I will never forget. Kay-illah and Vic G spinning back to back, Los Primos Fajita Dogs was in there, all my friends and family in attendance and meeting new people, I was displaying my art. I had brought my vision to life.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road and I’m actually grateful for that. I lost my dad and my job in the same year. I was on unemployment in the middle of NYC and just lost. I get homesick a lot and that can be challenging, so any chance I get, I try to fly to Houston for that re-charge and then fly back to NYC refreshed and ready to create. Art has pulled me out of my fog more times than I can count. I know that art, design and technology is something I want to do forever. It’s a male dominated industry, so I definitely look up to a lot of female artists/designers from the past and even the ones breaking barriers now. Social media has made opportunities a lot easier, but at the same time, I’m turning this new leaf of wanting to plaster my work in the streets. It’s hard. Life is hard. This industry is hard, and nothing good comes easy, but I feel like that’s where the adrenaline to chase this dream comes in. Putting yourself in these uncomfortable positions brings the best growth. It takes a lot of sacrifices, but the sacrifices I’m making now will pay off in the long run. I have so many things planned with my work this year and a lot of it stems from the things I’ve been through.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m Icebox. Most people call me Ice. I am an artist. I’m in school for Digital Design and Animation. My medium of work is mostly acrylic and most recently spray paint. I try to dip my hands in everything from painting, digital work and animation. I’m continuously trying to work on my brand and my art and show people that when you see it in your mind, it can manifest into something REAL. My art has introduced me to amazing people and has brought me fantastic opportunities, and it has allowed me to spread my work in different places. I was in Houston recently and did my first mural in East End (2530 Garrow St). I flew to LA in January and did a mural and painted the city. Art gives me freedom. It gives me a voice. It expresses my thoughts when words don’t do justice. This is something I want to do forever. I’m not sure what sets me apart from others, but I will say I hope that I inspire people to create or at least chase the dream. Life is too short.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from my childhood is just growing up in DH. The corner store runs, being in Houston, carefree. I was always around my dad and grandma. I was always surrounded by love and support from my parents and friends. And I was always involved in some arts from dancing to painting. I give credit to my parents for raising me to be as creative and free spirited as I could be.
Contact Info:
- Email: aq.icebox@gmail.com
- Instagram: @aqicebox
- Twitter: @aq_icebox
Image Credit:
Joienille
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
