Urban Ecology is an ink-on-paper drawing that merges symbols of Mexican and Texan cultural heritage. At its center is a self-portrait, surrounded by figures from Mexican folk tales and 1930s Westerns. These stories—fables of misplaced trust and a region's history of portraying natives as something to fear—mirror my journey as a Tejana growing up in Aztlán. The work reflects my navigation through the intersections of history, culture, and personal experience. Often beginning with collages made from found images, I create pen and ink drawings to combine popular and ancient imagery. These compositions reveal clashes, double meanings, and contrasting perspectives—one person's hero is another's villain. In Urban Ecology, the self-portrait depicts me as a young person making my first communion in West Texas, surrounded by stories both factual and fictional. These elements reflect the thoughts and feelings that have shaped my journey navigating cultural intersections and personal exploration.
Chaac and the Big Bang, Mural Installation, 240" x 144" (2017)
Chaac and the Big Bang, Mural Installation, 240" x 144" (2017)
Many moons ago, on the eve of our cosmic conception, Chaac, bearer of dahlias and purveyor of storms, was playing a solito game of hopscotch. [Let it be known that Chaac considered himself to be hot stuff so he often played in front of a large mirror for the sake of self-pleasure]. Carefree, competitive, and with enormous confidence, featured creature Chaac and himself played a [yet-to-exist] world-record-breaking hopscotch game of two whole hours. Being the notorious tooter that he is, with each hop came an airy whistle of dahlias. His naturally broken wind blew the flowers all around and so began the creation of our universe. Commissioned by Get Creative San Antonio, Department of Culture and Creative Development for MetaDADA: High Art for the Populace (July 2017).
Many moons ago, on the eve of our cosmic conception, Chaac, bearer of dahlias and purveyor of storms, was playing a solito game of hopscotch. [Let it be known that Chaac considered himself to be hot stuff so he often played in front of a large mirror for the sake of self-pleasure]. Carefree, competitive, and with enormous confidence, featured creature Chaac and himself played a [yet-to-exist] world-record-breaking hopscotch game of two whole hours. Being the notorious tooter that he is, with each hop came an airy whistle of dahlias. His naturally broken wind blew the flowers all around and so began the creation of our universe. Commissioned by Get Creative San Antonio, Department of Culture and Creative Development for MetaDADA: High Art for the Populace (July 2017).
Maize Mountain Myth, Mural, 108"X108" (2018)
Maize Mountain Myth, Mural, 108"X108" (2018)
Chaac, master of all things weather, cracked open Maize Mountain, allowing human beans to nourish and flourish to make Aztlán what it is today: rightfully yours. Howler Monkey, artists' spirit animal, guiding the way to Reconquista.
Chaac, master of all things weather, cracked open Maize Mountain, allowing human beans to nourish and flourish to make Aztlán what it is today: rightfully yours. Howler Monkey, artists' spirit animal, guiding the way to Reconquista.
The Snake, The Rabbit, and The Coyote, Silkscreen print, 17" x 11" (2019)
The Snake, The Rabbit, and The Coyote, Silkscreen print, 17" x 11" (2019)
This silkscreen print acts as a visual reminder to the viewer about morality. Acknowledging the name of each animal for clear identification, the depiction references a story told over generations, expressing the need for caution whether your willingness to help others may be more inherent or you consider yourself impossible to fool. Consejo Grafico: Perro Mundo (2019).
This silkscreen print acts as a visual reminder to the viewer about morality. Acknowledging the name of each animal for clear identification, the depiction references a story told over generations, expressing the need for caution whether your willingness to help others may be more inherent or you consider yourself impossible to fool. Consejo Grafico: Perro Mundo (2019).
