As a 3 year old, I produced my first controversial graffiti by carving my ABC’s into my mother’s new night table. At age 5, I was given a pan of watercolors but no paper, until my Mama Lupe gave me a 3” thick Los Angeles white pages telephone book. Thus, began my use of unconventional media to make art. My ”formal” training in watercolor, acrylic, printmaking and calligraphy has primarily been via classes and workshops. I also trained as an elementary school art teacher after receiving a grant from the Getty Institute. Subsequently, I taught teachers how to integrate the visual arts into their classroom curriculum.
During my tenure as a preK-6th grade teacher in a Spanish immersion program, I was honored with a national award for my work in the arts with underserved students.I am an intuitive artist inspired by my Chicana culture, my spirituality, my environment and politics. My work is also influenced by my travels and the Pacific NW. As a painter and calligrapher, my preferred media are acrylic, watercolor, ink, and stitchers. I find power in words and color. I regularly exhibit and sell my my work throughout the SW Washington/Portland area and the So. Puget Sound. My work has won many awards over the years.