Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Yanez.
Hi Liz, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I was born in Mexico City, when I was 1 year old my parents moved to the US due to work. I grew up in Houston and moved back to Mexico when I was 10, after a few months my parents moved us back to Houston and this happened again when I was 14. We lived in Mexico City for 1 year and then my parents built a house in Queretaro, Mexico so we all moved there. I went to High School and College there.
My family moved back to the US. I attended the school of fine arts, where I got my bachelor’s as a Graphic Designer. After I finished college I moved back to Houston and got a job in Marketing for KLASS Time. After 4 months there, I did not feel in the routine was for me so I decided to move to Mexico City on my own. I worked as a freelance Graphic Designer and an interpreter/translator for Procter and Gamble. I loved it. My life was great and I felt free.
In 2008 I moved back to Houston for family issues and I began working as a flight attendant for Continental (United now). There was too much sexual harassment so after 1 year I resigned and began working at Catholic Charities in the department of St, Michaels Home for Children. I was the Program Service Coordinator. I was happy here and loved my mission as well as the outcomes. I felt I had found my calling and stayed there for 4 years. The children served there were kids detained by immigration and they called me “Teacher”. Which I loved.
I was in charge of providing them with entertainment from different venues that were willing to donate free tickets etc. Some donors were sports teams such as Aeros Hockey, Rockets basketball, Astros baseball, etc. I wanted more interaction with the children and felt I wanted something more. Out of destiny, I came across meeting several people who were teachers. They motivated and incited me to become a teacher. I thought it would be difficult, however, I decided to go for it.
During the summer of 2011, I did my teaching certification and became a teacher. I started working at KIPP as a science teacher and I loved the interaction with the students. The next year the Art teacher position opened and I got it. I have been working as a teacher for 13 years and I love it. I work for HISD and the Museum of Fine Arts as a teacher cohort. I have helped do mosaics around town and murals where I am asked to do so. I love painting walls!!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say it has been a smooth road except for my personal growth. Being in love with women changes many things and people’s opinions. My family is one of the main struggles I have had to deal with. Being a Mexican with a catholic upbringing has not made it easy to be gay. Hence one of the reasons I moved to Mexico City on my own. I wanted to discover who I was without being close to those who would judge and make me someone I wasn’t.
Now I can say I am a happy lesbian in love with LIFE and ART. I love everything I do and most of all I love who I am. Ever since I was in 3rd grade I knew I wanted to create art all the time. And somehow all the pieces went fitting in little by little until I got to this awesome universe where my life evolves around art all the time.
One of my passions is painting murals. I have painted a couple of my walls at home and most recently, I painted a mural at a Restaurant in Denver, Colorado. Among some future projects I have are doing a mural at “BAR BOHEME” and at “BLUE AGAVE CANTINA”. Along with other fellow artists we are working with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in an awesome project where we will be sharing his art here in Houston with our students and then traveling to Amsterdam this summer to collaborate with the museum over there. I was the spokesperson for HISD 1st Art Bike Parade 2022. This year I am excited for the second parade in May. Above all the things I do, what I love the most, is inspiring students to do art and watching them create. That by far is the best gift ever.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Working with the Museum of Fine Arts has been the most enriching experience I could have ever imagined. We work together observing the art around the MFAH and creating lessons and better ways to introduce the arts to children. I also cooperate with Sharon wonderful mosaic artist from Houston, we work on finishing the mosaic around the park at Mark Twain Elementary and we have some future projects doing mosaics at the Orange Show and Smither park.
One of my passions is painting murals. I have painted a couple of my walls at home and most recently, I painted a mural at a Restaurant in Denver, Colorado. I was the spokesperson for HISD 1st Art Bike Parade 2022. This year I am excited for the second parade in May. Above all the things I do, what I love the most, is inspiring students to do art and watching them create. That by far is the best gift ever.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way for people to work/collaborate with me is by providing me with a space to paint a mural in or outside. You can see some of my work and contact me via Instagram at ARTYFACT28.
The best way to support me is by supporting the ARTS. Specially the local artists. By attending art events and allowing me to create and just provide the material, you can help me and other artists make the world a prettier place. You can also contact me if you would like to cooperate with any work I do, I am always looking for new people to join even if you just want to learn. “Art is everywhere!” RP.
Contact Info:
- Email: artyfact28@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artyfact28?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066843739522&mibextid=LQQJ4d
