Jodie Herrera is a Northern New Mexican painter with Latina, Apache and Comanche ancestry. She has been an artist her whole life and started formally painting in 2011. Herrera received her BFA with honors from the University of New Mexico and currently resides in Albuquerque, where she works as a full time Artist and Curator. Herrera is currently focusing on two art projects. Herrera”s main project is locally based, where she creates semi-photorealistic figurative oil paintings portraying women that are going through or have persevered through trauma. Addiction, abuse and cancer are but some of these traumas. Herrera takes great care with each story, building personal and supportive relationship with each of her participants. Herrera then narrates their experiences using symbolism within her paintings and explains it with a write up that accompanies each piece. She strives to celebrate the beauty and resilience of these women and hopes they can provide inspiration for others. Women Across Borders, is an International Arts and Activism project. She specifically works with refugee and immigrant women and creates paintings that illustrate their personal journeys. She provides monetary and emotional support for all her participants and hopes to bring attention the issues they face and have overcome, as well as to educate and activate others around the subject.
Suenos Sin Injusticia
This mural honors the heart and dignity of our undocumented community. The woman depicted represents the countless mothers who have worked tirelessly to create better lives for their children. The milagro charms woven into her hair, a spray bottle (for cleaners), a shovel (for farmworkers), and a carrito (for entrepreneurs), symbolize the hard work and dedication she has poured into building a better future for her children and contributing to her community.In her hand, she holds the transformation of a butterfly, a symbol of her children’s growth and the hopes she has nurtured for them, ensuring that one day their dreams may take flight. The cactus flower she offers to the butterfly represents resilience and protection, signifying how, like herself, beauty can grow and thrive despite all odds. On the opposite end of the wall, butterflies are released from a net, a prayer for liberation and an end to the mass incarceration of our family members, friends, and neighbors. The phrase “Sueños Sin Injusticia”, meaning Dreams Without Injustice, calls for a world where all people are free to dream, grow, and thrive without fear or harm.
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Penasco Mural
At the heart of the mural is a blooming Cholla cactus flower, native to this region, symbolizing the strength, beauty, and resilience of the Peñasco community. Behind it, is Jicarita Mountain: a sacred landmark of heritage and land. A turquoise line flows through the piece, representing an acequia, honoring the history, culture, and communal values embedded in this traditional water-sharing system. Scattered butterflies speak to transformation, migration, and the unfolding potential of the youth in Peñasco, reflecting their journeys of becoming their highest self.
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Nature's Reflection
This mural explores the profound connection between humanity and nature. The upside-down triangle represents the divine feminine—creation, intuition, and nurturing energy. From this source, all things grow, symbolized by the stem and leaves, reflecting the continuous cycle of growth and renewal. On one side, a portrait emerges; on the other, a flower blossoms, mirroring the face. This duality expresses the idea that we are not separate from nature but reflections of it. Just as a flower relies on the earth, air, and water to thrive, we too depend on the harmony of our environment to sustain us. That is why we must honor both the earth and the women who give us life, as they are the foundation of our existence and the keepers of creation.
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Guided and Growing
This mural is a prayer for all who see it. The cactus flower embodies the resilience of Indigenous peoples, flourishing with beauty and strength despite the weight of oppressive landscapes. Its thorns represent protection, while its luminous bloom reflects our brilliance. The butterfly symbolizes transformation into one’s highest self, carrying the blessing of the journey ahead. The hummingbird represents the spirit of our ancestors, watching over and guiding us. The dots signify seeds from which we grow, while the stripes illustrate the diverse pathways to success. The leaves embody our continuous growth, and where two lines intersect, they symbolize friendship, reminding us that community is essential for us to truly flourish.
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We Create
“We Create” is located right in the heart of downtown Albuquerque In Civic Plaza. It shares space with the Al Hurricane Pavilion Stage, so I took the opportunity to honor Albuquerque’s performance artists. This wall not only celebrates the rich culture and talent of our state but intentionally holds space for diverse representation and inclusion. Like the cactus flower in this mural, people of New Mexico are strong and resilient and will always thrive despite our circumstances. This is why the beauty and art that blooms from New Mexico is truly unique. It was also a great honor to be able to pay homage to one of New Mexico’s great late performers, Wake Self. He was a great friend, an incredible artist and forever a legend. Rest In Peace, king.
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Water Protector
“The Water Protector” was created for the Streetwise mural festival in September of 2021 with my dear friend Jay Bellicchi–he painted the colorful, geometric abstract sides and created the portrait and flower. This portrait portrays Autumn Peltier, an Anishinaabe Indigenous clean water and indigenous rights activist. She is also the youngest Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation. She was just 8 years old when she responded to her calling as a water protector and as a teenager today she has traveled the world and become a leading advocate for clean water for First Bellicchi Nations. Her blue complexion signifies the water within us all and the water she works so hard to protect. The mirroring of the flower symbolizes how the natural world and humans are one in the same and how we must respect the earth and in turn ourselves, in order to survive. The rainbow between the face and the flower symbolizes the connection between spirit and earth.
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Her Strength
I was commissioned by theNew Mexico United SoccerLeagueto create “Her Strength” which celebrates the womxn fan base. The model is in the “Rosie the Riveter” pose but instead the model is a womxn of color, reflecting and representing our community. I thought it was very important to shine light on the womxn fanbase because we are not typically recognized in sports. The upside down triangles behind her represent the sacred feminine. There are also four variations of the triangle pattern; the weave conveys the hand in the creation of one's life, the leaves imply growth, the dots are the self and lines are the connection from below to above. The colors pink, turquoise, yellow and green tie in with the connection between the arts, specifically Meow Wolf and our United sports team!
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Respect Reproductive Freedom
Commissioned by the ACLU of New Mexico.
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Her Glow Up
“Her Glow Up” was created for Wynwood Mural Fest with collaboratorsJher Seno(flowers) and Jhon Pierre (calligraphy) for Art Basel in December 2021. This mural portrays the creator and musician Twolips. Twolips is an artist of African and Indigenous ancestry, who grew up in New Mexico and is now based in LA. She has both been a dear friend and a great inspiration for me over many years. As she has modeled for me many times, it has been an honor to watch her grow into the artist she is today. This growth is represented by the gorgeous flowers blooming throughout her crown. The calligraphy references the radiance of her fierce spirit and her unapologetic ability shine authentically.
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History is Watching
In collaboration with Wing Chow for Plaza Walls Mural fest, 2025.
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Ruby in the Sand
A tribute to resilience, Ruby in the Sand captures a cactus bloom in full splendor, bold, unyielding, and radiant against the elements. The rich, deep ruby petals symbolize the beauty and strength found in determination, while the unopened buds hold the promise of new beginnings. The gold detailing frames the blossom, much like culture and tradition shape the identity of the New Mexican people, grounding them in history while allowing them to flourish. This piece reflects the enduring beauty of the desert and the spirit of those who thrive within it.
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