artist. illustrator. digital designer.
To create, is a gift we are all born with.
Making art as a career choice was a natural decision for me, especially when I realized I wasn’t going to cut it in organic chemistry.
“What do you like to do most?” my chemistry teacher asked me when I was 20. “I love art, but I’m not sure I can make a career of it.” “Well, you’re not going to make a career in chemistry by barely passing 200 level courses. At least you could be doing something that comes easier to you and that you love.”
So as I walked across campus I had a heart to heart conversation with myself, contemplating my shift from science to art. I loved science, but it didn’t come easy to me. So I made a big request to the infinite sky above. “Dear God –if indeed there is a god… if I’m going to do this art thing, I can’t do this alone. I’m begging you, to pleeeeease back-me-the-hell-up.” And you know what? She did.
Public Art
2016-2019 Created another public art commission for the City of Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport. A Terrazzo floor design for the new Terminal 3 bridge walkway area titled “Light. Love. Life.” 7000 sq. ft area. Design and mitigation began in 2016, construction began October 2018. Opened to the public Jan. 7th 2019.
2008-2011 Created a public art commission for the City of Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport. A Terrazzo floor design for Terminal 3 Baggage Claim area titled “Desert Rain” 25000 sq. ft area. Design and mitigation began 2008, construction began April 2010, completion January 2011.
Publisher | Designer | Illustrator
2019 Freelance | Remote Web Design and Illustration see portfolio
2018 Web Designer for the University of Phoenix, marketing department
2017 UI Designer for Tallwave. Scottsdale, digital marketing agency
2015-2017 Creative Director for micro-publishing company Heart and Mind Press
Fine Art | Exhibitions
2016 (September ’15 – Jan.’16) Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, “Chicano State of Mind” Mesa AZ
2013 (June 1 to July 27) Art Intersection Artintersection.com Gilbert, AZ Group show
2013 (February 21 – March 22) Shemer Art Center, Scottsdale, AZ Group show
2006 (December – February 2007) Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, Mesa AZ
2003 (July- Aug. ) Chiaroscuro Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2003 (January-March) Etherton Gallery, Tucson, AZ Group show
2002 (December) Marshall Arts Galery, Scottsdale, AZ “Sueños” solo exhibition
2001-2002 Touring Exhibitions in México, curated by Museo de la Ciudad, Santiago de Querétaro, MX
- Museo de la Ciudad, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., MX, solo exhibition
- Belles Artes San Miguel de Allende, GTO., MX, solo exhibition and FAI Save The Children MX fundraiser
- Casa de la Cultura de Celaya, Celaya, GTO, MX, solo exhibition
2001 Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, Az “The 2001 Arizona Biennial”
Awards
2009 Communication Arts Magazine Design Annual -Loteria Greeting Cards
2002 Artist Professional Development Grant, The Arizona Commission for the Arts
2001 NEA and The Arizona Commission for the Arts, Artist Projects Grant
1994 Print Magazine’s “Regional Design Awards” for Illustration.
Publications included
2017 “Loteria! Un mundo de imagenes. Las loterias de figuras en Campeche y Mexico” por Enrique Ortiz Lanz, who is the current Director of Museums and Exhibitions of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) Published by Camara de Diputados, LXIII Legislature, Mexico City (
2014 Illustrated children’s Books “How to Celebrate Winter Solstice” published by Heart and Mind Press
2013 “Golemito” written by Ilan Stavans and published by New South Books.
2013 “100 Artists of the Southwest” by Ashley Rooney with Julie Sasse, Schiffer Publishing
2006 Sioux City Iowa, Art Center Museum Catalog “La Lotería Una Ventana en la Cultura y Historia de México”
2006 book “100 Artist of the Southwest” by Douglas Bullings, Schiffer Publishing
2005 Contributing author of “Encyclopedia Latina” Scholastic Library Publishing Co.
2003 book, “Loteria!” Author Ilan Stavans, Artwork by Teresa Villegas, U of A Press
2001 The Wall Street Journal, Review of The Arizona Biennial
2001 The Arizona Republic, Review of the Arizona Biennial
1998, ’97 Arizona Illustrated, KUAT Television, Featured Artist Interview
Related Experiences
1998-99 University of Arizona, Tucson, Adjunct Instructor, Art Dept. Portfolio Prep class.
1995 University of Arizona, Tucson, Adjunct Instructor, Illustration class
1990-1995 The Arizona Daily Star Newspaper, Staff Artist/Illustrator/Graphic Designer
1989-90 Harbinger House Book Publishers, Art Director, and Graphic Designer
Education
1989 Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Visual Communication, University of Arizona, Tucson
Collections
Mesa Contemporary Art Museum, permanent collection. Mesa, AZ
Frost Library, special collections, Amherst College, Amherst, MA