The Volcano's Sunflower Painting

Ana Ximena Mendoza Salazar was born in Guatemala during its civil war and was a refugee in Belize in her teenage years. After studying medicine in Mexico, she moved to the USA as a doctor for an under-served area in rural Maine. Her 20% Mayan ancestry explains her passion for colorful Mayan textiles. At first, art was solace from trauma, and tells a woman's story of suffering, survival, and finally freedom; her art is an emerging exploration of color--from the textiles and traditions of Guatemala to more recently the natural colors of woods and water near Acadia and the island of Monhegan in Maine. This island has been an inspiration for her and many established artists known as the WAMI (Women Artists of Monhegan Island). Ana Ximena is a self-taught, with no formal art education.