Ilda Veloz was born on January 29, 1972 in East Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of Esteban Veloz, a civil rights activist in the Chicano communities of California and Arizona. Ilda's mother, Hilda Reyes, also played an active role in the civil rights movement and anti-war effort during the late 1960's-70's.

Ilda's passion for art today was initially inspired by the world most immediate to her as a school girl growing up in the rough and often brutal streets of a gang-infested neighborhood referred to only as "Quatro Flats." This neighborhood was characterized by its large Mexican immigrant population, graffiti-riddled apartment buildings, children playing in the streets at night, loud mariachi and salsa music, and patrolling groups of both the police and local gangs.

Her experiences as a young girl contributed to the colors and mood in her paintings today. She paints in vibrant reds, blues, and shades of green and are often highlighted with mixed tones that celebrate the richness of her life experiences. She studied under the tutelage of Mary Bayless and Sue Chenoweth at Phoenix College and Arizona State University.

See the work of artists previously featured in the Gallery by visiting our Gallery Archive.

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