❊About Me❊

Hola! Soy Marlene, Xicana designer and visual artist born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.

    

I'm the eldest of 4 girls and first generation Mexican American. My parents immigrated to the United States from Sonora and Michoacan Mexico, facing many struggles as they began their new life in this country. Growing up I began developing my love for the arts, after following my mother's creative footsteps. As a child I would see her paint murals & fun characters in my room and at my kinder class at school. My father would take my sisters and I to his martial arts studio after he would arrive from his construction job in the evenings and I would spend time there sketching and coloring while he taught his night classes. From then on I decided to pursue the arts. My parents always instilled in me the importance of hard work, helping others and never forgetting my roots and that is how I got to doing what I work on now. In 2008 I decided to pursue my passion in art & design. I got my BFA in Graphic Design and began my art journey. Thirteen years later, I am now focusing on helping communities with my designs, working with local and global nonprofits, collaborating with other artists and creating work that empowers and inspires.

Along with my artivism work, I also create pieces inspired by mi cultura, telling stories about mi gente and everything nostalgic to me through colorful designs. I love when others feel a connection to my work and the similar experiences they had growing up. I grew up doing art my whole life and culture always played a big role in inspiring my work. I pushed my DIY ethic and started experimenting with different art mediums, customizing my own clothing, painting murals, illustrating, crafting, learning new skills, and everything I could to achieve my dreams. 

Fun Facts: I'm a lefty. 90's kid. Expert smoothie maker. Vinyl collector. Professional playlist creator. Love mango everything. Introvert. Metalsmithing is one of my hidden skills. I LOVE animals especially monkeys, mini donkeys, sloths and bats! My Xoloitzcuintles Kaifan and Solin are my life. Obsessed with all types of music especially Rock en Español, Punk, Darkwave, Cumbias, Metal and 80s jams. Love Raspados de Vainilla. Nature lover. MexiKitsch. Yaquesita P’urhépecha. Norteña del Sur.