Returning to Procreate: Finding Inspiration in Simplicity

Lately, I’ve been picking up my old iPad again. There’s something comforting about that familiar tool, especially when I open Procreate and let the ideas flow. The iPad makes it easy to get those first strokes down—no setup, no mess, just the simple act of creating. It’s not about making a masterpiece right away, but more about capturing an idea quickly and without the weight of perfection.

Most of what I’ve been working on lately are sketches—studies, really—of young Hispanic and Native women. It’s a subject that’s been on my mind a lot, perhaps because it speaks to the deep, complex history of New Mexico, especially in communities like the Genízaros. These were Native people, often enslaved or displaced, who became an integral part of our culture, blending traditions with those of Hispanic settlers.

That mixing of cultures fascinates me. It’s reflected in the faces and lives of so many people here, where history is long, layered, and sometimes hard to unravel. My sketches aren’t finished pieces, but more of a way to explore these ideas—seeing where they take me, and maybe planning a more involved work down the road.

There’s a freedom in working digitally, especially on my iPad. It’s a clean, simple process, and I can focus purely on the act of creating. No paint to mix, no canvases to prepare—just the immediate connection between thought and action. And for now, that’s exactly what I need.