Street Art In San Miguel: Merle Herrera, Young And Passionate About Her Art

By Colleen Sorenson

I first met artist Merle Herrera way back at the very beginning of San Miguel's Street Art movement when painting on the street was not yet allowed. Together, we reminisced about the very magical weekend in 2013 when she painted in the first Muros en Blanco festival in Colonia Guadalupe, securing the permission for legal painting on the streets. She was invited to paint by Francisco (Nadie) Vega who was in charge of artist invitations.

Merle then invited her graphic design employer C-Ment and together, they painted fun murals on Calle Margarito Ledesma. 

Merle was 16 years old at the time and loved the experience. "I really enjoyed it, it was one of few festivals that catered to the needs of artists. We were given lots of food and attention and we painted what we wanted. It's not like that anymore. And it was the first event where I painted with aerosol." 

Since that first festival in 2013, Merle has participated in 15 to 20 community projects within San Miguel and many more throughout the surrounding communities with estimates of 300 murals total. She would love to see more community festivals and believes “There should be more support from the local government because the government is for the people and this is something very important for the young people." She also wants to see more art in public places. "Art is for everyone, not just for the galleries."

Merle prefers to paint on the street because of her interactions with the community. Most of her private commissions come from the street when seen by those who love her work. What is most important when working with a new client is that "The art is unique to them and also it's about the relationship. Clients become my new friends." For the past five years, she has been painting nonstop without a break. At this writing, she is off to paint in Iquitos, Peru.  

Until the age of 14, Merle and her four sisters grew up "In México City, in a really ugly colonia and a dangerous one, a violent place." Her father was from México City but her mother was from San Miguel de Allende and after many happy summers in San Miguel, the family made the move. "I loved coming to San Miguel, it was everything in contrast to what I knew in the city. Especially the nature and the colors."  Like others, her love for art and drawing began early, ever since she can remember. Her interest in graffiti began at age 10. "One day I saw a group of kids painting on a wall. I loved how it was on the street, the freedom. I loved the colors. I started with aerosol at 13. Aerosol is the most fun but for my fulltime job, I paint with acrylic." 

When asked about education, her response was quick. "¡No tengo!", although she did manage to finish high school. "I hated school. The system took away from kid's creativity. I skipped school all the time to go out and paint." In school, there was no formal education in art so Merle began drawing on her own and reading books on color, theory, etc. She always knew painting would be her life. Merle's style is inspired mostly by the colors of San Miguel and nature. Magenta happens to be her favorite color. Mural images show her admiration for the power of nature and animals, asking people to be more aware and more kind-hearted towards them. She wants to build bridges between community and nature, being a voice for those who do not have one.

Her favorite mural is also one of my favorites. It's a private house commission on the street to El Charco del Ingenio. "It was so difficult because of painting in the intense heat. But the owners are lovely people and gave me creative freedom to paint whatever I wanted. It's also close to one of my favorite spots. The theme is about migration, with the animals and flora and fauna. It also symbolizes the people who come to San Miguel to settle, to feel happy and complete. Migration is not a crime, it's all a part of nature."

Merle will be painting about the joys of nature in the upcoming mural festival, bringing numerous local artists together again.

Contact Merle Herrera at: WhatsApp 415 133 0229

Colleen has long been an advocate for legal painting on the streets. She shares stories of artists who have shared their talents with us.

www.colleensorenson.com