Chicana Art Portfolio | PNW Chicana Creations

Art Portfolio | The Stories Behind My Art

Welcome to a little collection of my creative journey!

I'm a Chicana artist who loves turning everyday moments, cultural memories, and the little things we grow up with into art. What started as a curiosity about making coloring books has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined.

Here you'll find some of my original illustrations, the stories behind them, and a look at how my artwork has evolved over the years. Every project represents a different part of my journey, and I'm excited to share that with you.

Mexican Treats: Where It All Began

Back in 2024, I kept seeing coloring books all over TikTok, and I thought, why not make my own? The funny thing is, I had absolutely no idea how to create or publish a coloring book. But I knew I wanted to try.

I started researching everything I could on YouTube and TikTok. When I looked for Mexican and Latino coloring books, I was surprised by how few I found. That's when I decided to create something inspired by the Mexican snacks and treats I grew up eating and loving. Something simple, fun, and familiar to my community.

And that's how Mexican Treats began.

Original cover artwork, 2024. © Josie Hernandez | PNW Chicana Creations

From an Idea to a Real Book

While researching how to publish my coloring book, I came across Amazon KDP. I remember thinking, wait, what is this?! I had no idea you could publish a book without having to order hundreds of copies or store boxes of them at home.

So, down another rabbit hole I went! I spent hours learning about page sizes, margins, formatting, and everything else that came with publishing a book. There was so much I didn't know, but I was determined to figure it out.

When my first printed copy finally arrived, I couldn't believe I was holding something I had created. Of course, I immediately started critiquing my own illustrations. I remember thinking, "Well, I tried. It's not the best, but it's something, and I did it. Someone out there will probably like it, and that's all that matters."

Looking back, there are so many things I'd draw differently today. But that's part of growing as an artist. Mexican Treats may not look like the work I create now, but it represents something I'll always be proud of: the moment I stopped wondering if I could do it and actually tried.