Some people are just artistic.

They can learn to paint or draw or sculpt with little instruction, and at the end of the day, they are talented at whatever medium they choose. Paloma Montoya Huerta is one of those people.

"I just started on my own," said Huerta, who lives in DuPont with her husband, Sgt. Robert Huerta, and their 3-year-old daughter. "I took maybe one art class, and I taught myself everything else."

Her first undertaking was in sewing, and she made - and sold - kids' clothes and hair bows. From there she moved on to oil painting, and that segued into her most successful venture: Americana art.

From start to finish, the 27-year-old Huerta is hands-on to the last detail when producing artwork for her customers. She even cuts the wood for the signs. Within her Americana line, she crafts wall hangings and personalized family banners. The look of these folk art pieces is weathered with lots of red, white and blue accents. It is a perfect venture for an Army wife. Since arriving at Joint Base Lewis-McChord a little over a year ago, she's periodically sold her Americana line at one of the kiosks located inside the PX.

Yet, Huerta, who has six tattoos, was ready for a new challenge.

"I'd wanted to do tattoos for a while, and my husband finally pushed me to get my stuff together and get started," she explained. "Now I'm about 10 months into it and just want to do more and more."

Though she has apprenticed under a tattoo artist in her home state of California, she is looking for a local place to intern. Laws and certifications for tattoo artists vary by state, and Washington's are relatively new, having just been instated on July 1 of this year.

Huerta's body artwork is customized and involves a lot of her own freehand designs. The one thing you are guaranteed, though, is color since Huerta is big on vibrant designs and loves color.

"I think wives should pursue something, anything, and not just sit around," she advised. "When I first got into the military atmosphere I didn't do that, and it was harder than having a bunch of jobs and interests to occupy myself."

In her spare time, Huerta also peddles her Americana artwork at local craft shows and bazaars, both on base and off. She also has a bunch of repeat customers for whom she does custom orders on a regular basis. If you're interested in placing an order or finding out when she'll have a display in the PX again, e-mail her at AmericanaCreations1@gmail.com.

"You can always find some time for what you need or want," she added.

Huerta knows about a packed schedule. She also works as an assistant manager at the Claire's in the JBLM PX and is a Pampered Chef consultant. Someday she hopes to find the time to achieve her ultimate goal, which is to open her own tattoo shop.