G.S. Ortíz - The Ivory Bunny
Gabriela Sepúlveda Ortíz is a multidisciplinary artist from San Juan, Puerto Rico, whose work bridges fine art, public art, and comics. With over 30 public murals under her belt, Gabriela is known for her vivid visual language and ability to fuse narrative with large-scale impact. She is the co-creator and editor of Soot n Sprinkles magazine and the illustrator of five titles in the Blueskin the Cat series, published by Footsteps Press.
A graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a Master’s from Atlantic University College, Sepúlveda Ortíz draws inspiration from sources as varied as Pop Surrealism, Moebius, science fiction, and independent comics. Her visual storytelling often explores identity, resilience, and emotional depth, inviting audiences into layered, imaginative spaces.
She is a founding member of the Kayfam Community, formed with fellow artist Brian Christopher Moss, and currently co-hosts Power to the Panel, a YouTube-based comics conversation series. Gaby is also a recent member of the Higgins artist team and continues to cultivate inclusive creative spaces through both her personal and collaborative projects.
Her accolades include the Arts Next Up Showcase Award (2023), the People’s Choice Award from the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts Community Gallery, and the Black Excellence Creative Entrepreneurship and Social Impact Award, recognizing her service to the arts and the broader creative community. She has also collaborated with noted muralists such as Gretta McClain and Pablo Kalaka.
Contact
https://sootnsprinkles.com/
Contact@theIvorybunny.com
@TheIvoryBunny
Interview
What inspires your art practice and keeps you motivated?
I’ve always been a compulsive creator—I make things because I have to. But lately, what really keeps me going is my community. Watching my peers grow, experiment, and succeed alongside me has been rocket fuel. A rising tide lifts all ships, and being surrounded by that kind of creative momentum reminds me that we’re not in this alone—we’re building something bigger, together.
How does your mission as an artist influence the work you create?
Honestly, I think it’s the other way around. My work shapes my mission. Each piece tells me what it wants to be, who it’s for, and how it needs to move through the world. I just follow its lead.
Can you share a key part of your creative process that helps you stay focused?
I gamify the boring stuff. I use an app called Flora that plants real trees every time I hit my focus goals, and a habit tracker that turns my to-do list into a video game. Productivity, but make it fantasy RPG.
What mindset tip do you rely on to overcome challenges in your art career?
Everything has a shadow, and that’s not a bad thing. The dark walks with the light. So when things go wrong, I don’t spiral—I look for what it’s showing me. There's always something beautiful hidden in the rubble.
How do you hope your art impacts the world or your community?
I don’t feel responsible for changing the world with my art—that’s too much pressure. I just want to live creatively and honestly, and if that resonates with someone? Amazing. If it inspires them to do the same? Even better.
