Courtesy photos ‘Amanda and Azlan' (left) is but one of the updated lotería figures. ‘El Borracho' reflects part of the Mexican-American experience.

WHO: Cristina Sosa Noriega, 29

MEDIUM: Paint

WEB: CristinaSosaNoriega.com, myloteria.net

BEST KNOWN FOR: Reinventing the art in the traditional Mexican game of lotería, which uses cards printed with images of Mexican cultural icons. Noriega updated half of the old cards, including El Sol and El Diablo, and added new ones, including El Low-Rider and La Raspa. “I thought that this was a real opportunity to create artwork to reflect the Mexican-American experience,” she said. “I think it's important to celebrate the culture and be proud of it.” The images have been printed on kitchen items such as platters, oven mitts, aprons and plates; those items, along with the game itself, are available at dozens of H-E-B stores in Texas and selected stores around the country.

CURRENTLY: The group show “IlluminArte” includes several of Noriega's paintings of significant people and places in San Antonio and Texas culture, including accordionist Flaco Jimenez, vaqueros on the King Ranch, the Liberty Bar in San Antonio and Ray's Bar in Marfa. She prefers to depict “things that really define an area,” she said. “You won't find me painting the Alamo anytime soon.” She also has some portraits in “Huipiles: A Celebration” at the Museo Alameda. “My first and foremost love is painting portraits,” she said.

BACKGROUND: Noriega attended Alamo Heights High School and Yale University.

DAY JOB: Freelance writing and branding consulting. She and her husband, Victor Noriega, are working to open a gallery and gift shop in Alpine.

CHECK HER OUT: “IlluminArte” runs through Monday, Dec. 31, at Gallery 118, 114 Broadway. “Huipiles: A Celebration” runs through Jan. 20 at Museo Alameda, 101 S. Santa Rosa St.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor