Sometimes, a painting takes on a life of its own. That’s exactly what happened with my portrait of Helen Fabela Chávez, a piece I created for a Día de los Muertos exhibit that ended up in a place I never expected.
The Beginning: An Invitation from the California Museum
Last year, the California Museum invited me to create a Día de los Muertos altar honoring a well-known Californian. I chose Helen Fabela Chávez, labor activist, farmworker advocate, and wife of César Chávez.
I first learned about her in 2016 when she passed away. She wasn’t just César’s wife. She played a huge role in the farmworker movement, running the union’s credit union, cooking for volunteers, and fighting for better working conditions. Her story really stuck with me, and I wanted more people to know about her contributions.
Creating the Portrait
I started with digital sketches on my iPad, then transferred the design to stretched watercolor paper mounted on wood. The painting process involved graphite sketches, masking fluid for fine details, and layers of watercolor. I used:
🎨 Fine Tech Pearl Colors for a soft shimmer
🎨 Dr. Ph. Martin’s liquid watercolors for bold colors
✨ Gold foil to make it glow
Along with the painting, I built the altar with paper flowers, resin skulls, and symbolic objects. Then, I packed everything into a U-Haul and drove to Sacramento to set it up at the California Museum.
The Unexpected Connection
As the exhibit ran, something amazing happened: Helen’s family saw my work.
They reached out to me, and I was blown away. I even got to talk to Helen’s son-in-law, Richard Ybarra, who shared personal stories about her. It was emotional and overwhelming in the best way.
After a few emails, I asked: Would they like the painting?
To my surprise and honor, they said yes.
The Final Destination: MNC’s Helen Fabela Chávez Early Learning Campus
The portrait now hangs at the Helen Fabela Chávez Early Learning Campus in San Francisco, part of Mission Neighborhood Centers (MNC).
I was invited to Helen’s 3rd Legacy Breakfast, where I met her family, community leaders, and activists continuing her work. I also saw the Helen Fabela Chávez Legacy Award presented to Anne Cervantes, the architect behind the campus.
During the tour, I saw the classrooms where kids would learn and grow. The space used to be a police station, now it’s an early learning center, full of life.
At the end of the day, we gathered around my painting, which now hangs on a wall painted in Helen’s favorite color. Seeing it there, surrounded by her family, was surreal.
A Full Circle Moment
The day ended with good food, music, and amazing conversations. Helen’s legacy lives on, not just in history books, but in the people and places still working for a better future.
A huge thank you to Mr. Richard Ybarra and everyone who helped make this happen. I’m so grateful to have been part of this story.
KPIX CBS News Coverage MNC Helen Fabela Chavez Campus Grand Opening
MNC Interviewed me at the Legacy Breakfast
Photos Courtesy Of MNC
