Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolix Luna.
Yolix, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was young, I have been surrounded by art. Living in Monterrey, México I had family who helped me solidify my passion. My grandfather was a carpenter and created beautifully carved home furnishings. I also had an uncle who was a designer on a television set.
At age 15, I began taking private classes with an art instructor named, Lucy Thompson. She became a mentor and instrumental to my early interest in the arts. She was an instructor at The Art Institute of Monterrey and she taught me techniques, mediums and design. I learned to work with all art mediums : oil paints, watercolors, acrylic paints, graphite pencils, charcoal, and pastels.
San Antonio was a second home for my family and I, so when I decided to move to San Antonio in 1978 it was an easy decision. During my first couple of years in San Antonio, I took some classes at the Southwest School of Art. Later, in 1984, I had the opportunity to open a retail store inside the Historic Market Square.
It is here that my artistic abilities started to flourish. In the last 38 years, I have made countless handcrafted items; ranging from jewelry, painted T-shirts, religious artifacts, sculptures, and paintings. Having the store gave me the ability to travel to different parts of Mexico to select various folk art and crafts. Traveling through Mexico helped me become familiar with my culture.
Throughout the years, I have found a passion for my heritage. One of my favorite celebrations is The Day of the Dead, which although familiar with, I first celebrated in 1985 when attending a local cemetery on November 1st and 2nd in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. I was so intrigued by this tradition that I began to research it in-depth and became fascinated by its history. Every year, since then, I have created altars next to my store to educate our visitors about the tradition. I have enjoyed watching this celebration grow in acceptance in San Antonio and around the world.
My passion has always been in drawing and creating paintings all of which I quietly stored away throughout all of these years. My vision was to someday have the time to go back to the drawing and amplify it on a larger canvas. As a culmination, I wrote and illustrated a children’s book, “Celebration of the Day of the Dead”. While I was editing my book my daughter, Alejandra, encouraged me to start selling my drawings. At first, I was not interested in the idea. In my mind, the drawings were not ready or finished. To be honest, I did not believe I could make a living out of selling my art. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else. Art has been an important role in my life and I enjoy sharing my culture and knowledge with the San Antonio community and its visitors.
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?
Being self-employed has had its benefits and challenges along the way. I have been blessed over the last 38 years with the opportunity to do what I enjoy the most and it has given me flexibility. In December of 2019, I competed with other local artists for a space at La Villita Historic Arts Village. Since I had now accepted myself as an artist, La Villita was the perfect place for me to showcase my art and expand my career.
In February of 2020, I received a call from the City confirming that I had been awarded the space, City council was scheduled to meet in March and I would have access to building #17 shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented pandemic, I did not have access to the space till September. I took this as another opportunity in my career. While we were trying to figure out the pandemic I used the time at home to create larger and more intricate canvases. I was granted the time that I had always wanted. I also organized my previous art collections which I have started to sell as archival prints at both of my locations.
Challenges continue, both locations are primarily visited by tourism and the last two years have been extremely difficult due to the pandemic. As we started to get back to some normalcy, La Villita Historic Arts started undergoing a huge renovation that will encompass a 2-3 year plan. I hope that I can survive the construction. In the meantime, I will continue to do what I love, create new ART!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
After many years of hiding my art, I can now say that I am proud to be named and recognized as an artist of San Antonio. My current medium is acrylic and color pencils on bark natural (amate) paper.
I then transform all of my originals into canvas, acrylic, and metal art. Some of my collections are: “San Antonio Missions”, “Day of the Dead”, “Mexican Traditions”, “Religious Art” and “Flowers” to name a few. I am grateful to have been able to publish the children’s book, “Celebration of the Day of the Dead’.
I am currently working on two additional stories, “Tamali” and “Mischievous Miles” I hope to publish them soon.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Since 2006, I have collaborated with Mexican Artist, Bobe D’leon, with numerous Catrinas exhibits (Catrinas & Catrines). Every Catrina has been handcrafted from head to body and finished with a unique attire that brings the deceased being honored, back to life.
Our focus is on teaching the history and culture of the celebration. Together we have collaborated in numerous exhibits in Mexico and in San Antonio, TX. Bobe is very talented and creative and together we have created more than 100 Catrinas that we hope to continue to display in many parts of the States.
I have had many mentors and supporters along with my career. My family and friends have always stood by my side and have encouraged me to fulfill my dreams. All have been integral in my life story and success.
Contact Info:
- Email: munecasetc@gmail.com
- Website: https://yolixluna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yolix.luna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YolixLunaFineArt
- Other: https://www.yolixlunaart.com
Image Credits
Alejandra C. Cerna
