Born in Monterey Park, California, Alejandro Mendiola weaves a compelling narrative of personal evolution, resilience, and artistic exploration in his lifelong journey through creativity.

 

Mendiola faced early challenges, growing up without a father figure, but found inspiration in his grandfather until a tragic loss during middle school. The void left him vulnerable to negative influences in high school, leading him to seek comfort in literature, where he explored themes of life, trauma, and identity.

 

With a passion for art inherited from his father’s prison-drawn sketches, Alejandro Mendiola initially ventured into pop art through cartoons and vulgar humor inspired by Baron von Fancy. College introduced him to printmaking and screen printing, exposing him to icons like Andy Warhol, Shepard Fairey, and Banksy. A spontaneous leap into entrepreneurship resulted in a clothing brand. However, as life unfolded with fatherhood and a demanding job, art took a back seat, triggering a personal struggle.

 

Creativity became a lifeline when a friend suggested returning to painting, helping Mendiola overcome substance abuse. His journey into painting and art history rekindled his passion, drawing inspiration from Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The desire to set a positive example for his daughter and baby brothers led him to leave a stable job, return to full-time education, and showcase his art with the Downey Arts Coalition.

 

For Alejandro Mendiola, art is therapy, a source of calmness, and a powerful expression. His work, exhibited in various shows, reflects a symbolic exploration of peace, self-love, and the battle against internal evils. Angels and devils in his art serve as metaphors for embracing faith, inner harmony, and confronting negative aspects of the mind.

 

Mendiola pursued education in Cudahy, CA, at Elizabeth Learning Center, Ellen Ochoa Learning Center, and various schools in Fontana and La Puente, CA. His educational journey culminated at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

 

Mendiola actively engages with the art community through exhibits with the Downey Arts Coalition, participating in shows such as “Unleashed,” “Reflections of Love,” “Surrender,” “Dia De Los Muertos Festival,” “Mother Nature,” “Bliss,” and “Ofrendas” and Pomona’s Artist in the Alley Art Walk.

 

Embarking on this artistic odyssey from La Puente, California, Alejandro Mendiola continues to evolve, creating not just art but a profound narrative of self-discovery, resilience, the transformative power of creativity and becoming an Art therapist.