I grew up in San Antonio, Texas in a Mexican-American family. My parents and extended family were musicians, cooks, builders, farmers and could always make something out of nothing. My Tia Irene (with her fierce entrepreneurial spirit), would water the sidewalk when having a garage sale: “Mija, we are growing our customers.”

 

I grew up making as an intergenerational practice. I know how to create and fix a lot of stuff: fix a friend’s moped, remodel my kitchen, photograph an art installation. I am compelled to make art. Whether I am drawing paper doll self portraits, collaborating with Jennifer Beth Guerin making site specific foam installations, creating video art pieces or encouraging my students to learn/practice digital media skills--I am always making.

 

My experience as a Mexican-American and as a part of the LGBTQ community, my art work speaks to a queer perspective, homoerotic themes and gender queer representations, not in literal ways, but in more subtle, suggestive ways.

 

I am interested in living a full, complicated life that includes artmaking, community engagement, teaching, and delicious communal dinners.