From Scraps to Sacred: The Story Behind Curate Mijita
Hola Amigos Lindos,
Today I wanted to share a little update on my Curate Mijita painting and a memory that’s been sitting with me as I worked on it.
Over the past few months, I’ve been trying to save enough to finalize the acrylic panel to start painting the full piece. I had decided to go ahead and print a poster version of Curate Mijita. That design held the spirit and intention of the work and it was enough to begin sharing its story.
Recently, I had the honor of exhibiting that poster on the, “Written Words, Spoken Truth.” curated by Cr3ative Gathering at The Artist’s Duty exhibition by Xikanx Collective, in Barrio Logan. It was surreal. The response to the piece has been nothing but special. Folks came up to me telling me how much they resonated with the piece, and how much it touched them. It reminded me that sometimes, even an early version of something can still carry so much truth and power.
And now, the timing feels just right. I finally got the call to pick up the finished acrylic panel. The actual painting is about to begin.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with how to finish the acrylic layer on top of the piece so I can paint over it. It’s been a bit of trial and error, but also a sweet reminder:
I know this material. I’ve known it for years.
Before I became a full-time artist, before Somos Volt, and even before college, I was the daughter of sign makers. I grew up surrounded by wood, vinyl, aluminum, and acrylic. My parents, my brother and I busted our butts to get work out. Back then, it was just work to survive. Making signs for local jobs like liquor stores, meat markets, car washes, restaurants, etc.
But as a teen, I started saving the scraps. I’d turn them into little band-inspired art pieces. I would cut vinyl, spray paint the backs, and design the displays with my whole heart. I think I was 14 or 15 when I walked into a music store in Hesperia with a few pieces I’d made. It was my idea, and my mom encouraged me to go for it. I was nervous as hell, but I asked if they’d let me sell them.
And they did.
I think I sold one, and never went back for the others. But that moment changed something in me. I believed in myself. My art felt real.
Now, all these years later, I’m working with some of those same materials but with a deeper story to tell.
Curate Mijita is about healing.
It’s about nurturing the parts of ourselves we ignored or buried.
And as I work on these pieces, I realize: I’ve been doing this for longer than I thought.
The art.
The healing.
The making something from scraps.
Coming up with concepts that once felt silly and turning them into something tangible, it’s powerful. It’s a gift to reflect on versions of myself I had to put away to survive. And now? I get to invite them back.
Thank you for being here…for the process, not just the finished product. I’ll be sending launch updates soon with final photos and progress.
For now, just know that your support means everything.
Con amor,
Patricia
p.s. don’t forget to sign up for my email for more updates :) SIGN UP HERE!
