Heart and Feather in Balance by Ondina Aguirre

Sculpture/Vessel

Enameled Ccopper, Found Objects

Sgraffito on enameled copper, assembly with found objects14 x 14 x 6 inches

Mexico's Guadalajara is where I was born. I only spent a brief period studying English in the United States before I became fluent in it. My dad intended to bring me back home to work in the family business when I graduated from high school. He was an independent traveling clothes salesman. Some of his designs include women's military-style gowns and children's uniforms. I decided to stay in the USA.

I had to earn my way and was free to do as I liked. I went to a community college and took classes in interior design, photography, life drawing, ceramics, French, and tennis since they caught my interest. I obtained an Associate of Science and a Certificate in Interior Design after seven years. I took a hiatus and spent nearly a year living in Puerto Vallarta.

I began taking casting and jewelry classes at the Dallas Community College, and I was awarded a small scholarship to study jewelry at the University of Arlington. However, I was more interested in glass blowing, as all the funds went there, and my jewelry professor was concentrating solely on it. At that point, I decided I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree in metalsmithing. I spent five more years working at the University of Houston to obtain my Bachelor of Arts after this. I'm glad to report that I paid for my education along the way and graduated debt-free.

After getting married, I worked as a mount maker for the 2022 Hall of the Americas exhibition. I'm now enrolled in enameling classes at the MFAH's Glassell School of Art. Trying to create something fresh out of something old with found objects inspires me. In addition, I find inspiration in the natural world, whether it be through my travels back to Mexico or in my own backyard garden. The thorns from the central and southern regions of Mexico inspire me.