About Us

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I’m Mexican at heart, born in the United States, and I’ve lived in Albuquerque, NM for over 22 years with my husband and our two children. I earned my degree in architecture but stepped away from the profession after my daughter was born. I’ve always had a deep passion for creating art — whether it’s watercolor, acrylic, charcoal, markers, pencil, ink, oil, or pastels. During my college years, I focused more on photography, which became the perfect excuse to keep painting and creating.

I started taking watercolor classes as a way to connect with other adults and break away from the repetitive, sometimes lonely routine of being a stay-at-home mom when the kids were little. I also became involved in my children’s schools, but in my free time, painting was always my refuge. After losing my beloved dog Frida, I discovered how healing it was to paint her portrait. That experience led me to specialize in pet portraits in watercolor and acrylic. I truly believe everyone who loves their four-legged companion deserves to have them immortalized in a painting.

My husband is from Puebla, so we’ve always had a special connection with Volkswagen. That love for VW inspired my dream of one day owning a vintage VW bus where I could carry, display, and share my art. In 2024, I finally made that dream a reality and turned it into a business: Gerda, The FahrtZ Art Bus, a 1969 VW bus with a chalkboard paint finish that I bring to markets and events, where kids and adults can write positive, good-vibe messages with chalk. It’s been an incredible experience seeing how Gerda brings back memories, sparks joy, and creates connections between people from all walks of life. Thanks to Gerda, I’ve built genuine bonds with my community.

As an artist, my intention is to reach as many people as possible and show that Mexican talent doesn’t just live in me — it comes from the many people who inspire me daily: from the farmers who pick the fruit, the construction workers building homes, to the kind woman who keeps our spaces clean. We are a community of Mexicans living abroad, working to build a better life and teaching our children to dream bigger and honor the name of Mexico with love and effort.

Today, I merge my passion for art and my love for Mexico, creating works that celebrate the spirit of my people, our resilience, and our love for our homeland. I invite you to visit my page and discover my paintings — stories of love, hard work, and heritage painted from the heart.