I feel it is my responsibility and joy as an artist to represent my heritage, my culture, and who I am. I have dual citizenship in the USA and Mexico. I’ve lived and gone to school in both nations. My Mexican home is in Michoacán, my USA home is in Michigan.

My family has supported me and my choice to be an artist. They often show up where I am selling and help make my day go smoothly.

As a Mexican-American I want my work to express the blend of cultures, to honor my ancestors and the hardships my family has faced. I owe my freedom to work creatively in clay to their efforts on my behalf.

Working with clay offers limitless possibilities. I draw inspiration from many different things. Of course my culture is beautiful and there will always be something I can pick out from it.

My work makes me feel connected to my surroundings. I draw from my experiences and express them in the ceramic materials. When I have a final product it gives a sense of balance and meaning to my world, I’ve always seen myself doing something in this sense and I LOVE IT.

I became interested in the Ceramic Arts while taking classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. After taking every pottery class available at KVCC, I made it a goal to collect multiple perspectives on what it takes to establish oneself as a studio potter, both in the United States and in Mexico. I undertook an internship with Troy Bungart, an established studio potter who has participated in the Goshen, IN community of potters and the Michiana Pottery Tour. As an intern, I have made many contacts within the Arts Community and have been able to expand and diversify my knowledge of ceramic materials and techniques as well as professional promotion and marketing. I have exhibited at various entry level shows over the past couple of years and am a regular vendor selling my pottery at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market. I intend to work my way into more prestigious art fairs and exhibitions. My passion is studying Aztec imagery and culture in order to translate and modernize heritage Aztec influences in my work. I hope my work will help Americans develop respect for the ancient roots of a culture that fellow immigrants bring into the country.