Lexi Rubio 24’ x 24’ | Tribute Mural, Mixed Media | Uvalde, Texas- In Collaboration with Mas Cultura, Collectors of Chicano/Latinx Art & Allies, and Abel Ortiz

We wanted to portray the most authentic Lexi, so we reached out to those who knew her best, her family. Through them, we learned that Lexi loved sunflowers and butterflies. She was a proud Libra and a force to be reckoned with. She dreamed of attending St. Mary’s University like her mother and one day becoming a lawyer. She played basketball and softball and had a fondness for math. Lexi and her five siblings were like peas in a pod.

I illustrated all of this in Lexi’s larger than life mural in Uvalde, TX. Each butterfly represents one of her siblings and is adorned with her favorite colors, ready for flight. The glowing pi symbol is a nod to her love for math. The sunflowers are in full bloom, glowing with oranges and yellows. The Libra constellation lights up the sky as Lexi demands your attention with her larger than life smile and sassy pose.

Carmen Rangel and I joined forces to create a beautiful tribute to Lexi in what could possibly be some of our best work yet. It was an absolute honor and privilege to be asked to design and paint this mural in Uvalde, giving the family a place for healing and reflection. A place for laughs and maybe some tears. A place for family and strangers alike to visit, talk to, and feel Lexi’s presence.