Street Art In San Miguel: Rufino Balderas, Taz, Looking Out for the Community with Street Art

By Colleen Sorenson

Rufino Balderas Rojas, Taz, is a local San Miguel artist who is deeply committed to his community. At age 38, he lives in Santa Cecilia with his daughter but he grew up in Colonia San Rafael where he has at least 50 family members.

Rufino is at the head of the community nonprofit organization Yo Amo Mi Barrio, started 14 years ago by his friend Yahmi. When Yahmi later died, Rufino and his friend Queso carried the organization forward. "We are a community organization of cultural, artistic and traditional activities within the San Rafael neighborhood." The organization's studio, set up on a street without traffic, teaches kids painting, music, traditions and how to make masks, animals and costumes from cardboard. In 2021, local guest artists including Merle Herrera, Boomzer, A Felix, Gabo and others were invited to paint numerous murals throughout the streets. In 2023, the organization won significant recognition with the Municipal Youth Award.

For Día de Muertos, Yo Amo Mi Barrio presents a beautiful celebration on the street of Prolongación Insurgentes, up the hill from Avenida Guadalupe to the chapel. The very moving celebration includes ofrendas, music, dance and art with this year hoping for up to a possible 30 new murals along the streets.

Like many others, Rufino's interest in art and painting began very early, around the age of three. He left school at age 10 and by age 12 went to work painting signs and repairing images of saints. He began experimenting with graffiti and mixing cheap aerosol paints in empty deodorant cans. Now as a professional artist, he prefers to use acrylics and a smaller amount of aerosol for special effects and details.

Rufino finally returned to complete his education at age 28, earning his junior high and high school certificates. He attended Universidad Autónoma de Queretaro for a degree in interiors. For the past 10 years, he has worked with architects and builders dealing with wood, floors, walls, roof, and painting signs and murals for  businesses.

I asked if, as an artist, he prefers painting on the street or on canvas. With a big smile, his response was immediate. "Oh, on the street! There's more people to appreciate the art and especially for the kids so I can show them the art and teach them. It gives the kids a chance to get away from drugs and everything that is bad." 

The most recent mural is along the walkway of the arroyo with Audubon de México's project La Vida de Las Cachinches. His work portrays two birds found in the area. "My mural is born from inspiration in nature. The owl and the caracara represent wisdom, freedom and strength. The prickly pear cacti and flowers show the beauty and life of our land. It is painted with passion, color and a lot of heart." Painting at his side was Sandy, his 17 year old daughter. For three years, she has painted special projects with her father, learning from him as his apprentice. "It was a very positive project. There were many people, it was great to paint with many artists and that the painting was about the nature. It is also good because now with the art, the people will start respecting the path more. The only thing I didn't like was the rain that last day!"

Rufino does not have a particular style. He has painted more than 30 murals on the streets throughout San Miguel with at least 10 still visible. Images are of his favorite mural topic, the gods of pre-Hispanic Mayan culture. We talked at length about the changes over time since the permission for street art came in 2013. He believes "the Muros en Blanco project opened the minds of the community and now there are more economic opportunities for local artists." He also shared his dismay about those having no understanding or knowledge of street art conducting activities that do not respect the work of community projects that bring a positive change. He is very much against art-walks that take from a community project without properly giving back to that project. For the future of murals in San Miguel, "I would like to see a stronger and more organized community studio for teaching different styles and techniques."

For information about Yo Amo Mi Barrio and their mural projects in San Rafael, contact yoamomibarrio022@gmail.com or Yo Amo Mi Barrio on Facebook

Colleen has long been an advocate for legal painting on the streets.

www.colleensorenson.com