Structured Precision, Every Step is simple and thoughtful.

Do you remember the first time you realized that painting was part of who you are?

Honestly, I feel like art has always been part of who I am. I remember when my mother worked for State Parks and Recreation, and when I would go with her, she would give me a pencil to keep me entertained. Looking back, I realize those simple moments introduced me to one of the ways I could express myself without always having to be verbal about how I was feeling. Art became a way to give life to an idea, an emotion, or a message without having to sit down and explain it. I enjoy the fact that a painting can create an emotional reaction in someone, and that reaction can be completely different from what I originally intended. That unpredictability is part of what makes creating so meaningful to me.

Who first encouraged you to follow your gift and what do remember about them? I remember being around ten years old when my father was getting a tattoo. While I was waiting, I started drawing. His tattoo artist noticed what I was doing and told me, “You have real talent. Don’t let it slip away. Make sure to always practice. That comment stayed with me. Even now, I try to continue practicing different techniques, experimenting with different styles, and pushing myself creatively. I never want to become stagnant or feel like I have reached the limit of what I can do.

What is it about Chimayo that keeps calling you back to your canvas? For me, Chimayo represent home, family, hospitality, tradition, and connection. Those ideas naturally find their way into my work. I am also inspired by the wildlife and natural environment around us. I believe everything in the world has its own significance and deserves to be observed and respected. Animals, plants, landscapes, family traditions, and even small everyday details can carry meaning. Growing up around Chimayo has given me a strong appreciation for those connections and they continue to influence what I create.

When you begin a painting, what are you hoping to discover? I am usually hoping to discover something I did not know was there when I started. I want to create something that blends symbolism, realism, and my own style while leaving enough room for the viewer to find their own meaning in it. Sometimes I begin with a clear idea, and sometimes the painting develops into something different. I enjoy that precess because I want my work to create an emotional response that someone might not necessarily expect from simply liking at the image.

Is there a place, person, or memory you never tire of painting? Home and family are themes I never seem to get tired of. I am especially drawn tot he landscapes, wildlife, traditions, and visual details that make Northern New Mexico feel like home. I also enjoy incorporating symbols and small hidden elements into my artwork. Sometimes they are personal, sometimes they are subtle references and sometimes they are simply details for someone to discover after looking at the painting a little longer.

What does creating something with your own hands mean to you?

Creating something with my own hands means putting a piece of my heart and soul into it. There is something special about taking an idea that exists only in your mind and turning into something physical. When someone appreciates my artwork, I feel like they are not only appreciating the finished piece. In a small way, they are appreciating the time, passion, emotions and part of myself that went into creating it.

Is there a painting you made that holds a particularly special memory for you?

There is a piece I made in a previous home that holds a very special memory for me. What made it meaningful was not necessarily the painting itself but what happened on the back of it. My daughter and my siblings each painted little images on the back of the piece. Unfortunately, the painting was made on drywall and eventually the material cracked and shattered so I no longer have the physical piece. But in some ways, that makes the memory even more meaningful. The artwork may be gone, but the memory of creating something together with my daughter and siblings will always have a place in my heart.

What do you hope people feel when they see your work?

I hope people feel something unexpected. I want my work to create an emotional response and give the viewer an opportunity to develop their own interpretation. I am interested in creating artwork that combines symbolism, realism and my own visual language. Sometimes I want a piece to feel familiar and other times I want someone to stop and wonder why they are feeling a certain way when looking at it. For me, the best artwork leaves something behind in the viewer’s mind after they walk away.

When you think about the years ahead, what do you hop your paintings will carry forward? I hop my work encourages other artists to release some of their self-doubt and truly explore their medium. I want to continue experimenting with broader ideas, more intricate concepts, symbolism and hidden messages. I enjoy placing small details, symbols or even hidden logos into some of my pieces because I like the idea that artwork can reveal something new the longer you look at it. Ultimately, I hope my paintings carry forward the idea that it is okay to experiment, to make mistakes, and to keep learning.

If you could one painting to the future, what would you want it to remember about Chimayo? I would want to create a landscape that captures Chimayo at dusk, when the day is almost becoming night. I imagine the mountains in the background with a soft autumn glow, surrounded by beautiful foliage showing the change in temperature and season. I would include ristras and farolitos around the Santuario, with their warm light beginning to glow against the approaching darkness. I think that image would capture something important about Chimayo-the relationship between the landscape, tradition, spirituality, family and the warmth of home. I would want someone years from now to look at the painting and feel like they are standing there themselves.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your work and life philosophy? I believe that if you never try, you will never succeed. Paths are not always already made for us. Sometimes we have to create them ourselves. Traveling through life gives us new perspectives, new experiences, and new ways of understanding what we are capable of. I also believe that failure is never truly a failure if you are willing to learn from it. Every mistake, every unfinished piece, and every unexpected direction can become an opportunity for growth. That philosophy is something I try to carry into my artwork. I want to keep learning, experimenting and creating and hopefully encourage someone else to do the same.