Celebrating Strength and Creativity with a Custom Mural at Alt Summit, Ace Hotel Palm Springs

Creating this custom mural for the Alt Summit Women’s Conference at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs was a project close to my heart. As a mural artist, I wanted to design something that would resonate with the inspiring, creative women gathered there—a piece that would reflect the strength, resilience, and vibrant spirit that define the Alt Summit community.

When I began designing this mural, I knew I wanted a powerful figure front and center. I envisioned her as a warrior—a modern, whimsical champion holding a banner with a message I believe in deeply: “You are stronger than you think.” I wanted her to be a reminder of the resilience we all carry within us, even when we doubt it.

Surrounded by a rainbow and bright stars, she stands as a beacon of hope and encouragement. The pastel colors, soft pink background, and starry accents were chosen to bring a feeling of warmth and lightness, balanced with the strength she embodies. The colors, while playful, are a nod to the calm confidence I see in so many women, especially in creative fields.

At the time I was supposed to paint this, I was battling a severe case of mononucleosis, and I could barely get out of bed, let alone paint a mural. I kept focusing on the message on the banner—“You are stronger than you think”—because I had made a commitment to myself and to Alt Summit. I would paint for a few minutes at a time and then lay down, my son, Cian, helped with the background. Many of the women attending Alt Summit have likely faced their own hurdles and moments of doubt, so I wanted this message to speak directly to them. It’s a reminder to embrace our inner strength, even when times are tough.

Seeing this mural at the Ace Hotel, surrounded by so many talented, inspiring women, was a surreal experience. It quickly became a popular backdrop for photos, a place where attendees could pause and reflect on the message. I loved watching people interact with it, whether taking a quiet moment or posing with friends. Knowing that it brought even a little bit of joy, strength, or inspiration to someone’s day means everything to me.

This project reinforced for me the importance of art in creating connections and fostering community. It’s a privilege to contribute a piece that can inspire others and be a small part of their journey. At its core, this mural is a tribute to all the women out there working hard, pushing boundaries, and lifting each other up. My hope is that this piece continues to inspire strength and self-belief, not only during the Alt Summit but long after.

Thank you to everyone who shared a moment with this mural. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring a bit of my heart to Alt Summit and the amazing community it supports.

I am always looking forward to making custom artwork for events, whether it’s a mural in Palm Springs or a live drawing event in Portland, Los Angeles or New York!

Halloween is my Roman Empire

The last Halloween before we left. That's me on the right in the flapper dress. I won "Best Costume" in a contest that year.

When I was 11, not only did I become a “young lady”—as my mom used to say—but my family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Even though my parents will not admit it, I was a “no sabo” kid. I spoke Spanish—but not enough to take a full school curriculum. Everything I ever knew was gone: my home in California, my best friends from school, the language I knew well, McDonald’s, root beer, maple syrup, and Doritos! The worst thing was Halloween. It was GONE. October would come around, and not only was it spring in the Southern Hemisphere, but it was the month to celebrate NOTHING. No cozy, chilly weather, no jack-o’-lanterns, costumes, parties, school parades—NADA! I felt a longing for a proper fall (don’t get me started on Christmas; it was in the middle of summer), a kind of nostalgia an elderly person feels about their youth. There wasn’t even a way to recreate it, except with art. Drawing Halloween-themed pictures, monsters, and ghosts was as close as I was going to get to my beloved holiday. Nine years without Halloween was hard, but I would try to buy spooky American books in English to stay connected emotionally. I feel that this longing in my youth made me appreciate October even more; the buildup towards the month, buying candy, decorations, and thinking of a fun costume to wear starts way before.

Today, as September rolls in, I am already in Halloween mode. One leaf on the ground? Halloween mode. The Halloween section being set up at Target? Halloween mode. So, that is why I say Halloween is my Roman Empire. It’s exciting, it’s fun, and it makes my inner child happy. I feel like almost all my art has a whisper of Halloween somehow, don’t you think?

Once Upon a Time…

Hi friends,

I’d like to tell you how I got here before I get into other stories—and by “here,” I mean how I became a professional artist.

I was living with regret and depression. I had two small kids, a husband, and we all lived in the rainy suburbs of Oregon. My husband had a spectacular career at Nike, living his best life every day and I resented it. I was a stay-at-home mom, taking care of everyone. My life felt like the movie Groundhog Day: the same thing every day, and I felt like a loser. I loved playing with my kids, but I detested everything else.

I never followed my heart when it came to my career. I did what my dad told me: “Whatever you do, never become an artist; you’ll STARVE.” Honestly, I never met a female working artist and I never even thought to doubt what my Dad told me. I tried going to college a few times when I was younger—first to be a teacher, and then to be a lawyer. What a nightmare! I felt like a wild animal in a cage. I worked as a teacher, then as a translator, and finally as a stay-at-home mom. I envied women with careers and drooled over surrealism books. It felt like an art career was “the one that got away.”

As my marriage started crumbling, I decided to take an art class. When I tell you that I came alive in that class and felt like I was finally breathing, I’m not exaggerating. After that class, I decided to change my life. I had an awakening. I decided to put myself first. How could I be a good mom if I was depressed and had no purpose? What kind of example was I setting for my kids? I decided to go full blast into Art College, all day, every day. In my first class ever, we sat around a pile of cubes and spheres and were to draw them. There were about 20 students in that class; I was surrounded by artists, and I felt I was finally HOME.

After I graduated, I started my shop and began posting on social media. It felt like when I was a little girl making drawings that kids at school would buy from me or trade for their Hello Kitty stuff. Art has always been my passion, my purpose, my love. Do I regret not having started sooner? I wish I had, but then again, would my art be the same?