Helen Yanez is an artist and illustrator based in Santa Maria California whose work is deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of her Purépecha ancestry. She creates with intention and purpose, illustrating the lived realities of her brown, Indigenous, and migrant community.

Through bold imagery and storytelling, Yanez reflects the beauty, complexity, and strength of her people. Her art serves as both a mirror and a bridge, offering her community a sense of visibility, representation, and celebration, while also educating those outside of these lived experiences.

As an artist with Purépecha roots, Yanez takes immense pride in preserving her culture’s traditions, struggles, and spirit through every piece she creates. For her, art is not only a form of personal expression, but also a powerful tool for cultural preservation, resistance, and collective healing.

She will continue to develop her artistic practice and further her education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she plans to deepen her work and expand her impact as an artist.