top of page

Painting Portfolio

be/long/ing

In "be/long/ing," I embark on a visual journey to explore the complexities of ancestral culture, identity, and belonging. This collection of acrylic and mixed media paintings reflects a personal and communal reclamation—an attempt to rediscover the roots that have been lost to time, migration, and cultural disconnection. It speaks to the experience of finding oneself at the intersection of many places, yet truly belonging nowhere but within.

Through vibrant portraits and organic forms, I depict individuals who have forged a sense of belonging in different ways—by reconnecting with nature and their cultural heritage, through community, and by cultivating an inner sense of home. The native flora and fauna woven into these pieces symbolize the interconnectedness of people and the natural world, serving as reminders that belonging is not just about place but about our relationship with the land, others, and ourselves.

Solo Exhibition
The University Union Gallery
Sacramento, CA
2024

Higher Self

The Memory Palace program supported survivors of sexual abuse and assault in their healing journey, with funding from the California Arts Council. This initiative co-created spaces for survivors to share their stories through art, advocacy, and resilience.

In collaboration with four community-based artists, survivors worked to express their experiences through art, emphasizing deep listening and courageous storytelling. The program fostered relationships and created meaningful expressions that amplified survivor narratives, helping to break the silence around sexual violence.

I’m deeply grateful to have created *Higher Self* as part of the Memory Palace program. This painting captures one survivor's journey of reclaiming spaces of past pain and transforming them into sources of strength. The portrait depicts her in a graceful dance pose, embodying the connection she’s reclaimed with her body through movement. The ocean’s aura flows in the background, symbolizing the endless freedom and peace she finds in its embrace. A butterfly rests on her hand, representing the guidance and strength of her ancestors.

The program's vision was to confront and eradicate violence by fostering a supportive, community-driven approach to healing, grounded in self-love, radical healing, and collective empowerment.

"Higher Self"

2024

20 x 24

Unknown Ancestors

Unknown Ancestors honors my late grandmother, a Mexican immigrant who deeply influenced my art and creative journey. Growing up in her care, I was inspired by her love for nature, which shaped my artistic perspective. While my family’s assimilation to American culture was rooted in caution and care, it created a distance from my ancestral heritage that I continue to navigate. Through my art, I strive to bridge this gap and connect more deeply with my Mexican roots. This collection features imagery inspired by my travels in Mexico, drawn from photo references of these journeys.

Solo Exhibition
Arthouse on R
Sacramento, CA
2022

bottom of page